PC freezes at safe mode menu

Thanks for that helpful update Route44!

That sounds consistent with a problem related to filesystem or Windows corruption.

Thank you all for the input, and Route44 for the minidump information. I am going to try using the computer tonight, running virus/ malware scans, and the ultimate boot cd. I will post later if I find anything.

Hi all,
Here is what happened last night. I originally logged on to main sign-on, and got BSOD Stop:c0000218 the registry cannot load the hive file \systemroot\system32\config\software

I restarted into safe mode, ran scandisk, and rebooted. After rebooting I was able to sign on to the normal startup. I installed Avira and ran it. I restarted after it was finished scanning and removing viruses. When restarting again into normal mode again I got the same BSOD error as above.

questions:
1. what could cause this error and behavior (sometimes able to sign into normal mode sometimes no)?

2. What should I do to correct the problem? At this point I am thinking I either need to try to just use Ubuntu or repair the Windows installation.

Thanks for your help!

This might be an appropriate time to start from scratch with a re-partition and a clean install of Windows... You have already invested time fighting this battle... It is possibly the install, or the hard drive, or the motherboard, or a bad cable or connector... and that system isn't going to let you win.

Just to give everyone an update:
I tried reinstalling Windows XP but the Cd must have been bad - it froze 2 times during installation. I am trying a friend's version of XP for Dell PCs this evening. May also try Windows 7 if that does not work but not sure if it is compatible.

Could it have been a worn-out or mis-aligned cd or dvd drive, or a scratched or marred disk?

It could have just been a bad disc/ program. it was not a store bought version he tried installing.

Computer has been repaired. i was able to reinstall windows, all necessary software/ drivers, and it is up and running.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Artzdelux, thanks for this update. For information sake could you please tell us what was repaired? This helps greatly in adding to the pool knowledge.

Well, the computer would not load in anything other than safe mode without getting a BSOD. I ran memtest, scandisk, defragmenter, and Avira but was still unable to boot into normal mode.

I reformatted the hard drive and then re-installed Windows XP. It is working perfectly now (for a 6+ year old computer). I was never able to completely diagnose what was causing the BSOD and boot issues. I am guessing it was a combination of use and virus/ malware infestation.