# Error message on computer

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-message-on-computer/279362>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 11, 2004, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-message-on-computer/279362 "2004-12-11T22:41:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![NadaHappyCamper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/278dde/32.png) [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\
**Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-message-on-computer/279362/1 "2004-12-11T22:41:30Z")

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Hi ,  
I get an error message whenever I reboot, it is in a little 3x2 window and the text is as follows: Registry Data not found. I click the radio button to cancel and it sems there is no problem in that I am able to do whatever I had planned, programs seem to run ok_seem_.  
My operating system is XP home.Should I worry? 🙂

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**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\
**Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-message-on-computer/279362/2 "2004-12-11T22:50:10Z")

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There must be a problem with a program that’s running at startup. You can go to **Start|Run** , type **msconfig** and selectively disable items on the **Startup** menu to narrow down the cause of the problem. Alternately, run [HijackThis](http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html) and post the log here. It will show everything that’s running at startup.

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**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\
**Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-message-on-computer/279362/3 "2004-12-11T23:07:50Z")

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I find [Autoruns](http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/autoruns.shtml) less intimidating than HijackThis, through simple things such as using icons, and titles rather than obscure codes. Of course, HijackThis is in the end more powerful, but it’s not something to be used without guidance.