There is a corrupted registry file. I suggest trouble shooting in this
order.
1. Boot from a XP CD (if you have one) into Recovery Console and run chkdsk
/r since disk errors are one frequent cause of this error.
2. Look at the following procedure. - How to recover from a corrupted
registry that prevents Windows XP from starting
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545
3. If the drive is OK and the above procedure is excluded or fails, try a
repair install.
--

"Ryan" <Ryan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:09408D6E-2944-4F87-A983-0618215817A8@microsoft.com...
> As Windows loads up, it will give me the usual: "Windows did not start
> successfully ... Would you like to go Safe Mode, Safe Mode with
> Networking,
> Last known good configuration or Start Windows normal." When I enter last
> know configuration, it says "Windows could not start because the following
> file is missing or corrupt ... C:Windows\System32\config\system
>
> If I enter start Windows normal or the other choices, this is the error
> message it gives me:
>
> Stop: C0000218 (registry file failure)
> The registry cannot load the hive (file)
> \Systemroot\System32\Config\SAM
> It is corrupt, absent, or not writable
>
> Beginning dump of physical memory
> Physical memory dump complete
> Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further
> assistance
>
> Afterthis message, then it proceeds to reboot with the same problem.
>
> Help!