Pressing problem: STOP: c0000218 {Registry File Failure}

Maetrix

Maetrix

New Member
Hi there, I just want to say that I've been quite impressed with the quality of responses I've seen on this forum so that gives me some hope in finding a resolution to difficult problem I ran into here at work.

I apologize for the length, but I wanted to put down as much information as possible. I also wanted to document various solutions I've sought out to save others from retracing my steps.

That being said, heres some background: We wanted to take full advantage of the hardware available in building a production-level computer. It was built 08-Nov-07 and ran fine until about a week ago (18-Jan-08). Then, upon reboot, I received a BSOD with the following error:

Code: 
"STOP: C0000218 {Registry File Failure} 
  The registry cannot load the hive (file)
  :\System Root\System32\Config\SECURITY or its log or alternate. 
  It is corrupt, absent, or not writable."
Here is the hardware/config:
CPU: Intel Q6700 (8M 1066FSB)
MB: ABIT IP35 PRO
RAM: 4x OCZ DDR2 800Mhz 2gb/stick (Total 8gb)
HDD: 2x WD Raptor x 150GB 10k (Mirror 1 Config)
2x Seagate 1TB SATAII (Mirror 1 Config)
VCD: PNY 8800GTS 320M PCI-E
ACC: PROMISE TX4310 4-Port SATA PCI RAID
OS: Vista Ultimate 64Bit

Initially I figured the problem had something to do with an improper shutdown, but nothing seems to be stabilizing the system. The only way I can get the machine to boot properly was to bring it down to 1 stick (2 GB) of ram as per this thread:
TOP: C0000218 {Registry File Failure): how to fix it in Vista Ulti - Setup and Install

In searching online for the error I came across numerous websites point to this reference page in MS (Which is not helpful for Vista Users):
How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting

Today I found this link: Vista 64 bit and 8 gb RAM - SLI Zone Forums where someone posted:

I sat through the issue with a Microsoft support technician and they are saying that Vista has been having trouble with the Raptor drives and the P35 chipset. Intel has also pointed out there is an issue with certain types of SATA drives as well. Hopefully that helps.
Click to expand...
Seeing as how I am using both in this system doesn't seem to bode well.

Now, in the troubleshooting department, what I have left to explore is to see if using Visual Studio 2008 to recompile some old code managed to bugger up the works.

I also got it to successfully boot with all 4 sticks (8GB) when I pulled it from the domain. This was to fix a secondary problem:

Code: 
"The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed."
As soon as I tried to re-attach it to the domain, I received the c0000218 BSOD again.

All MS Supplied updates have been applied. Is there a known bug with any of them?

So, in short, I'm starting to run out of ideas.

Here's a list of what I've tried:
Using the Auto-Repair via the Vista Disk: No Luck
Using the Restore feature: No Luck
Upgrading the BIOS: No Luck
Downgrading to 2gb: Works


Has anyone else run across this problem yet? Is there any point in calling Microsoft tech support? I'm going to run off and do some more tests on the RAM, wish me luck lol.

With Many Thanks in Advance,
Toby Kliem
IT/IS
 

My Computer

System One

You can try to boot with "last known good configuration", this will load a backup of the registry file when the computer last sucseffuly booted into windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77-DS3H
    Memory
    4 x 4GB corsair ballistix sport DDR3 1600 Mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte Geforce GTX 660 TI
    Sound Card
    creative x-fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Primary CiBox 22" Widescreen LCD ,Secondary Dell 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    Both 1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500G HD (SATA) 1 x 2TB USB
    PSU
    Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Complient PSU
    Case
    Antec 900 Ultimate Gaming Case
    Cooling
    3 x 80mm tri led front, 120mm side 120mm back, 200mm top
    Mouse
    Technika TKOPTM2
    Keyboard
    Logik
    Internet Speed
    288 / 4000
    Other Info
    Creative Inspire 7.1 T7900 Speakers Trust Graphics Tablet
Hi Toby

May I ask are you running any third party defragmentation software program such as Diskeeper or PerfectDisk? Please advise.

Kind Regards

Neil (Mr Smiley)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-920
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R
    Memory
    8GB Kingston DDR3 1333MHz (4 x 2GB)
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte GV-N26OC-896H-B
    Sound Card
    N/A - On Board via SPDIF
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ 24" E2420HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080p Full HD
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1 x TB Sata 1 x 320GB Sata
    PSU
    Zalman 1000 Watt
    Case
    Antec Twelve Hundred
    Cooling
    1 x 200mm fan, 6 x 120mm fans, CPU & GPU fan
    Mouse
    Bluetooth Logitech MX 5500 Laser
    Keyboard
    Cordless Logitech MX 5500 Revolution
    Other Info
    2 x Liteon DVD Burners Sata
No I`m not. I defrag about every two months and vistas defrag is good enough for me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77-DS3H
    Memory
    4 x 4GB corsair ballistix sport DDR3 1600 Mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte Geforce GTX 660 TI
    Sound Card
    creative x-fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Primary CiBox 22" Widescreen LCD ,Secondary Dell 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    Both 1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500G HD (SATA) 1 x 2TB USB
    PSU
    Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Complient PSU
    Case
    Antec 900 Ultimate Gaming Case
    Cooling
    3 x 80mm tri led front, 120mm side 120mm back, 200mm top
    Mouse
    Technika TKOPTM2
    Keyboard
    Logik
    Internet Speed
    288 / 4000
    Other Info
    Creative Inspire 7.1 T7900 Speakers Trust Graphics Tablet
No problem Toby.

It's just if my memory serves me correctly I had the same error appear when one of my third party defragmentation programs performed an offline defrag of my registry files.

Hope it all works out for you.

Kind regards

Mr Smiley (Neil)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-920
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R
    Memory
    8GB Kingston DDR3 1333MHz (4 x 2GB)
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte GV-N26OC-896H-B
    Sound Card
    N/A - On Board via SPDIF
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ 24" E2420HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080p Full HD
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1 x TB Sata 1 x 320GB Sata
    PSU
    Zalman 1000 Watt
    Case
    Antec Twelve Hundred
    Cooling
    1 x 200mm fan, 6 x 120mm fans, CPU & GPU fan
    Mouse
    Bluetooth Logitech MX 5500 Laser
    Keyboard
    Cordless Logitech MX 5500 Revolution
    Other Info
    2 x Liteon DVD Burners Sata
Update:

I've complete more testing, and unfortunately, because the primary user has returned from the field, the intervals between testing is further apart.

While I've done some ram testing, I haven't done a full blown scour of all 8GBs due to time constraints.

Mr. Smiley: I haven't run any defragmentation on the system let alone 3rd party defrag software.

The system boots reliably with 2GB of ram. I have it running right now with 4GBs and plan to bring it up to the full 8GBs in the next day or two.

This is where it gets weird... It seems to randomly boot fine with >2GB of ram, just not reliably.

Unfortunatly, there doesn't seem to be many people out there running Vista x64 with 8GBs of ram. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and start a ticket with MS. Does anyone have any suggestions as to best way to contact them (Phone, Chat, or Email)?

Thanks,
Toby Kliem
IT/IS
 

My Computer

System One

This has been mentioned before on the forum. Do a search and you may be able to find out more. Microsoft may have a patch you can download.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77-DS3H
    Memory
    4 x 4GB corsair ballistix sport DDR3 1600 Mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte Geforce GTX 660 TI
    Sound Card
    creative x-fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Primary CiBox 22" Widescreen LCD ,Secondary Dell 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    Both 1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500G HD (SATA) 1 x 2TB USB
    PSU
    Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Complient PSU
    Case
    Antec 900 Ultimate Gaming Case
    Cooling
    3 x 80mm tri led front, 120mm side 120mm back, 200mm top
    Mouse
    Technika TKOPTM2
    Keyboard
    Logik
    Internet Speed
    288 / 4000
    Other Info
    Creative Inspire 7.1 T7900 Speakers Trust Graphics Tablet
I've done several searches but I have been unable to find anything. But all this means is I'm probably using the wrong search terms.

If anyone knows of it, could they post the link here?

And if there is a patch, it would be nice if MS made it easier to find. :(

Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77-DS3H
    Memory
    4 x 4GB corsair ballistix sport DDR3 1600 Mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte Geforce GTX 660 TI
    Sound Card
    creative x-fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Primary CiBox 22" Widescreen LCD ,Secondary Dell 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    Both 1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500G HD (SATA) 1 x 2TB USB
    PSU
    Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Complient PSU
    Case
    Antec 900 Ultimate Gaming Case
    Cooling
    3 x 80mm tri led front, 120mm side 120mm back, 200mm top
    Mouse
    Technika TKOPTM2
    Keyboard
    Logik
    Internet Speed
    288 / 4000
    Other Info
    Creative Inspire 7.1 T7900 Speakers Trust Graphics Tablet
k i just had this error and i tried everything i could do (without re-installing) and nothing. :(
so i just had to re-install vista (i did not reformat i just installed it) and it seems to be ok now i just need to get all my files and settings back and remove the old install.
thats where i have a question.... could i just go into the windows.old folder and just delete that folder? or what is the best way of doing this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6400+, MMX, 3DNow (
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N SLI Delux
    Memory
    4094MB RAM DDR2 800 HIGH SPEED GAMEING RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    2 NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS OC 320mb v-ram each in SLI mode
    Sound Card
    Speakers (High Definition Audio Device)
    Hard Drives
    sata 0 160 Gig sata 1 750 gig usb 2.0 high speed 500 gig
    PSU
    1200 watt
    Case
    Sunbeam Tec Transformer full tower ATX
    Cooling
    9 fans
    Internet Speed
    high speed fios 25 down 15 up

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq/SR5130NX
    CPU
    AMD AthlonTM 64x2 3800+
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE
Please start your own topic and we'll address your issues there.
DO NOT delete anything yet - you may well delete the info that you're trying to recover.
 

My Computer

System One

Im having the same problem, running vista ultimate 32 bit. Do you think the problem will go away if i upgrade to Windows 7 - does anyone have any experience with that?
 

My Computer

System One

hi I am having this same problem, here is what is says when I turn computer on,

"STOP: C0000218 {Registry File Failure}
The registry cannot load the hive (file)
:\System Root\System32\Config\SECURITY or its log or alternate.
It is corrupt, absent, or not writable."


I am unable to get to my desktop and I have a Hp home premium I believe 32 bit
op vista
can anyone help me with this? Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

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