Windows XP forum: question regarding c0000218 {Registry File Failure}

I am currently not able to log onto the computer at all as a result of the error message, it just gets past the start-up screen. I was wondering about manually taking out the harddrive and putting it in my laptop so I can connect an external harddrive and transfer all the data over, assuming it fits. My main issue is if this is even all necessary in the first place, since I am not sure at all if restoring my windows XP computer will even result in me losing all data.

will end up erasing all of my data. If it will not, then I would rather not go through a bunch of seemingly unnecessary steps to back up information that would not get deleted. However if my data will end up being erased after finding a solution to the blue screen error then yes, I would like to back up my data by removing my harddrive it seems like.

based on any prior experience with similar situations, would you think that my information would be safe or would it be deleted? I know you can't guarantee anything to me and that it is ultimately my responsibility, but just to have an idea of the chance that I will lose the data.

Of course if I didn't back up information and then I lose it, I will not be able to retrieve it. I'm not arguing that. Maybe I'm not asking the question in the right way, although I can't think of any other way to phrase it. My origonal question was, if I go through the process listed on Microsoft's website, will that cause me to lose all my information or will it still be there after the process is over? It's like someone completely new to computers asking "If I restart my computer will I lose all my data?" and the answer would obviously be no. In this case the answer isn't so obvious to me, so I was just wondering if the answer is "yes I will lose my data" or "no I will not." Sorry for any confusion.

Malware and more that can cause such failures can have a bomb waiting to go off if we dive in and try to fix it.

Yes I know you find it hard to believe that your files are at risk. What most moderators have learned is that backup is a lesson that is rarely taught. It seems the lesson is best learned first hand.

Go right ahead and know I wish you the best of luck,
Bob

my computer says exactly the same but my computers a HP mini110 netbook so it doesn't come with cds or even have a place to put cds into my computer. What should i do?