How to Repair the Registry Database
- 1). Make a backup of the system registry by creating a new restore point before making any changes. This ensures the safety of the procedure you are about to undertake should something happen to make your system non-bootable. To create a restore point, click the "Start" button, then click "All Programs", then click "Accessories". Under "Accessories", click "System Tools" and select "System Restore". Click "Create a Restore Point" and then click "Next". Type a name you will recognize for your restore point and click "Create".
- 2). Restore your system to an earlier point. Most of the time, registry errors occur after a conflicting piece of software or driver is installed and can be remedied by bringing the system back to a point before the conflict occurred. Open the System Restore tool as explained above. In the System Restore window, select "Restore My Computer to An Earlier Time" and click "Next". On the Select Restore Point page, choose a restore point preceding the time when the errors began to take place, then click "Next". You will be prompted to verify the configuration changes that will occur. Click "OK" when you are satisfied with them. It will then ask you to confirm your selection. Click "Next" and it will begin the restoration and restart the system during the restoration. Upon logging back in, it will ask for another confirmation. Click "OK".
- 3). Use Last Known Good Configuration or Safe Mode to access your system restore points by booting up the computer and hitting the "F8" key about every second until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears. Use your arrow keys first to select "Use Last Known Good Configuration" and hit "Enter". This should boot your computer to a point before whatever changes to the registry occurred that corrupted it.
If it does not, then repeat the process to get to the Advanced Boot Options menu. Use the arrow keys to select "Safe Mode" from the available boot options and hit "Enter". The computer will boot with minimal drivers and a basic registry into safe mode. From safe mode you can access the System Restore Tool in order to try and roll back your system to before the errors occurred. - 4). Place your system repair or install disk into your CD drive and boot your system. If prompted to "Hit Any Key to Boot From CD" do so to bring up the Windows Installation menu. Select your language preferences from the initial screen and click "Next". On the next screen, click "Repair Your Computer" from the available options. A window will appear asking you to choose which operating system to repair. Select your current windows installation and click "Next". The System Recovery Options window will open, allowing you to select a method of recovery to try. Start by clicking "System Restore" and selecting a restore point before the damage occurred. If this does not work, use the "Startup Repair" option and reboot.
- 5). Use the System File Checker to scan and repair operating system files. Place your Windows installation disk in your CD drive and boot the computer. If prompted to "Hit Any Key to Boot From CD" do so to bring up the Windows Installation menu. Select your language preferences from the initial screen and click "Next". On the following screen pick the "Command Prompt" menu item. Type "sfc /scannow" at the command prompt and hit "Enter". This will scan your base system files, looking for corrupt or damaged versions and replacing them with default versions. Let the entire process run. Repeat this up to three or more times to ensure all corrupted files are reverted before exiting and rebooting the system.
