When the computer is started up, it will display this:  Registry Editor, There's a White "X" inside a red circle, then it says: "Cannot import C:\Windows\sp.reg:  Error opening the system.  There may be a disk or file system error."

Should I throw this thing out and get a new one?  Or is there some type of software I can buy that will fix these problems?  Thanks for any help.

vmax84

First hit on Google.

[url]www.computing.net/windowsme/wwwboard/forum/31830.html[/url]

Google is awesome.

do you have the box your computer came in?  

Yes?  Good.  Box it up and send it back.  

j/k


You likely have a software problem.  Software problems do not mean your computer is broken.  Software is like the writing on a chalkboard.  When it has problems, it's like the writing on that chalkboard gets smudged or messed up.  You do not need to replace the chalkboard to resolve the problem.

What brand is the computer?  Call the OEM and see what kind of assistance they can be.  

You might see if you can run a scandisk or defragment your harddrive.  Hit F1 with no programs running, and you'll get the HELP window.  If you type in SCANDISK or DEFRAG, it will give you directions on how to do those two things.  


Also, do you have antivirus software installed?  Did you install any programs right before this started happening?  

Run a virus scan on your computer, after checking to see if there are any virus definition updates from the AV software's publisher.  Go to the Control Panel and open Add/Remove Programs.  REMOVE any programs you do not USE.

Google is awesome.[/quote]

With the exception that they will not let any firearms related businesses advertise with them.

You still get great info in a hurry with them.

How long have you had it?  When's the last time the OS was reinstalled?

If you (like me) install and uninstall lots of different programs, the computer will slow down over time because some uninstalls leave garbage laying around that the OS still ends up using for no reason and such so it uses up resources.  A bad reg key can be one of those things.

If it's been over a year or more and you do a lot of sofware shuffling, then I'd say rebuild.  If not, then yeah, possibly a virus or a bad install of something.  I'd suggest getting any important data off that thing now in case the whole thing takes a dump.

Went to that start up page that google found.....did what what it said, and bam, everything is up and running great!!  Thanks a lot.  Plus, my Mcaphee found a bunch of virus's on my computer.  Hope I didn't give anybody anything.  Need to get a serious girlfriend and quit downloading so much porn.  Thanks again.

vmax84