[SOLVED] Windows 7 regedit.exe Will Not Load Hive Files - Exclaims "Error Loading Hive" Every Time

[108]

Hi,

I recently had an issue with a corrupted Win7 registry which was making my OS non-bootable.

Upon realizing I had saved a complete registry backup a few months back, I attempted to load the hive remotely with REGEDIT.EXE from a Windows XP OS. I kept getting the error message, "Cannot Load [pathname\filename.reg]: Error while loading hive."

So I tried about 4 different 3rd party registry editing apps in Windows XP, and encountered the same error. So I installed a brand new copy of Windows 7 onto a small partition on one of my drives and attempted to load the hive from the Win7 regedit.exe, getting the same result.

At this point, I assumed that it had been a mistake for me to have saved the entire registry into a single massive 480MB file, and that I just needed to save the individual top level keys instead, in future.

Upon finally repairing the Win7 OS, I successfully backed up the top level registry keys again, this time individually. But whenever I attempt to load the hives using regedit, I get the exact same error message, every time, every hive file.

I've opened up the smallest one (HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG) in notepad and found that it seems to be in order - No apparent corruption to be found anywhere in it.

So I am at a loss as to why this is happening, and am now intent on figuring out what's causing it, as registry backups are apparently worthless to me at this point (= NO BUENO).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[xilolee]

Try to shorten directory names and filenames.

 

[108]

That was my first thought. No dice.

 

[zbook]

In the Windows update forum the config hive was troubleshooted.
What error message or code was seen that inicated the other hives were corrupted?
Was it the failed run of scannow or something else?

1) See what the underlying Windows error code is by turning off startup repair.
2) Check to see whether the code corresponds to a problem with registry hive(s) or whether there is/are other problems
3) If the problem is related hives and you have backup hives these are possible troubleshooting steps:
5) Find a working computer
6) Move the hives to new folders on the working computer
7) Borrow or purchase a HD enclosure
8) Place the problematic drive into the HD enclosure
9) Copy and paste the hives from the new folders into the applicable hives on the problematic drive
10) Return the problematic drive to the applicable computer
11) Boot > run startup repair as needed > report findings

 

[SleepyDude]

Hi,

I recently had an issue with a corrupted Win7 registry which was making my OS non-bootable.

Upon realizing I had saved a complete registry backup a few months back

How did you create that registry backup?

 

[108]

Hi,
How did you create that registry backup?

By exporting the hive to a file using regedit.exe (in Windows 7).

 

[SleepyDude]

By exporting the hive to a file using regedit.exe (in Windows 7).

I should be more clear! when you use export did you set the "Save as Type:" to Hive?

Normally Hive files are saved with .dat or .hiv file extensions and not .reg because those files are in binary format not text.

 

[108]

DOH!

Well that's embarrassing. I've been programming and otherwise working with computers since the Commodore 64, and never once knew there were multiple formats available in which to export registry keys! Some IT professional I am! LOL Thank you, SleepyDude!

So... I am able to export all but the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_USERS keys. I get the following error every time I try to export those to hive files, no matter what drive,filename or pathname I use: "Cannot export [pathname\filename]: Error writing file. There may be a disk or file system error."

Can't seem to find this posted as a common problem online.

Any ideas?

 

[SleepyDude]

Hi,

When Windows is running its normal that the system and other software will lock some registry keys and you can't backup the full registry that way...

My suggestion is to use a proper tool to do that job Registry Backup

 

[108]

Ok, cool. That's what I was hoping. Thanks!

Tried that software, but it's buggy as all heck and I finally uninstalled it. Not recommended at all. Seriously. lol

Thanks again! ☮➚

 

[SleepyDude]

Tried that software, but it's buggy as all heck and I finally uninstalled it. Not recommended at all. Seriously. lol

I use the Portable version and it works just fine for me!!

Maybe RegBak Acelogix Software - Registry Backup and Defrag (Freeware) works for you!

 

[108]

Yeah, I used the installer. It did weird things with the GUI, picking up elements of the desktop bleeding through the skin, then crashed suddenly whilst in the background. And I was just like, aaah, no. lol

Thanks!

 

[108]

I actually gave up on repairing this OS and ended up reinstalling. Thanks.

If a mod could close this thread, that'd be swell.