A STOP 0x00000051 (REGISTRY_ERROR) or a Cyclical Reboot Condition Occurs
One of the following symptoms occurs on a Dell PowerEdge server that is running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003:
The computer generates the following STOP error message:
*** Stop 0x00000051
REGISTRY_ERROR
The computer repeatedly stops responding (crashes) and restarts.
Note:
By default, Windows Server 2003 automatically restarts when it experiences a STOP error. To work around this issue and to view the STOP error message:
When the computer starts, repeatedly press to display the Windows Advanced Options Menu.
Use the keys to select Disable automatic restart on system failure, and then press .
This problem occurs if the following conditions are true:
Dell preinstalled the operating system on the computer.
One of the following operations occurred:
The computer was upgraded to Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1).
The computer was upgraded to Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2).
The Active Directory service was installed on the computer.
Note:
The dcpromo command is used to install Active Directory on a Windows Server 2003-based computer.
To resolve this problem, run the Dell Registry Repair tool to update the Windows registry. This tool is available as a download from Dell. To use this tool, you must start the computer by using the Windows Server 2003 CD, and then install the tool as a storage controller driver.
This article contains step-by-step instructions to perform this operation.
A Stop 0x00000051 Registry Error Occurs on a Dell PowerEdge Server
The following Stop error occurs on a Dell PowerEdge server that is running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003:
*** Stop 0x00000051
REGISTRY_ERROR
Note:
By default, Windows Server 2003 automatically restarts when it experiences a Stop error. To work around this issue and to view the Stop error message:
When the computer starts, repeatedly press to display the Windows Advanced Options Menu.
Use the keys to select Disable automatic restart on system failure, and then press .
This problem occurs on computers that have the following configuration:
Windows Server 2003 has been factory preinstalled on the computer. This problem occurs with versions of Windows Server 2003 or Windows Small Business Server 2003 that were preinstalled before February 20, 2005.
The computer does not use the mass storage controller drivers that are included with Windows Server 2003.
The drivers that are included with Windows are known as inbox drivers.
This problem occurs if one of the following conditions is true:
The computer was upgraded to Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1).
The computer was upgraded to Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2).
The Active Directory service was installed on the computer.
The dcpromo command is used to install Active Directory on a Windows Server 2003-based computer.
This problem occurs because of a security counter mismatch in the Windows registry. When Windows Server 2003 SP1 or Windows Server 2003 SP2 is installed, or when the dcpromo command is used to install Active Directory, the security counter mismatch problem is exposed. Therefore, the Stop error may occur.
This problem was first corrected on February 20, 2005.
Removal of the service pack does not correct the error condition that occurs. Therefore, we recommend that you do not remove Windows Server 2003 SP1 or Windows Server 2003 SP2 to work around this problem.
Download and Install the Dell Registry Update Tool
The Dell Registry Update Tool may be used to repair the registry on Dell PowerEdge servers that are running one of the following operating systems:
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition
The Dell Registry Update Tool is also known as the Dell Regfix driver.
We recommend running this tool on Dell PowerEdge servers that have Windows Server 2003 preinstalled by Dell.
The Dell Registry Update Tool only fixes existing security counter mismatches that may exist in the Windows registry. This tool does not make other changes to the registry.
The Dell Registry Update Tool works on all language versions of Windows Server 2003 that Dell supports.
Notice:
Do not back up the registry before running the Dell Registry Update Tool.
On a computer that has security counter mismatches in the registry, backing up the registry before running the tool may cause the operating system to stop responding (crash).
The Dell Registry Update Tool must be installed during the Text mode portion of the Windows Server 2003 Setup program. To do this, press during the Text mode portion of Windows Setup to specify additional drivers.
To install the Dell Registry Update Tool:
Download the Dell Registry Update Tool package (F6_regfix_1026.exe) from the Dell Web site.
Extract the files from the F6_regfix_1026.exe file, and then copy the extracted driver files to a floppy disk.
Copy the drivers from the mass storage controller that is installed in the Dell PowerEdge server to a floppy disk.
Use the Windows Server 2003 CD to start the computer.
Press when the prompt appears at the bottom of the Text mode portion of Windows Setup.
When the prompt appears, press to specify an additional storage controller.
When you are prompted to insert the disk that contains the driver for the storage controller, insert the floppy disk that contains the Dell Registry Update Tool files, and then press .
Press to select the default Dell System Repair Utility option.
Press to specify an additional storage controller.
When you are prompted to insert the disk that contains the driver for the storage controller, insert the floppy disk that contains the driver files for the mass storage controller, and then press .
Use the keys to select the appropriate mass storage controller, and then press .
Press to continue.
After the Setup is starting Windows message appears, the results of the Dell Registry Update Tool operation appear. These results appear in a new screen.
Dell Registry Update Tool Results
The following message appears in the Dell System Repair Utility screen when the Dell Registry Update Tool runs successfully:
RegFix completed successfully.
This message appears if the tool fixed any existing security counter mismatches successfully. The computer automatically restarts 15 seconds after this message appears.
One of the following messages appears if the Dell Registry Update Tool does not complete successfully:
Unable to load registry from C:. Verify that the correct storage driver is installed.
Memory corruption identified outside scope of this utility.
System not idle.
Could not create a key.
Out of memory.
Driver Verifier enabled.
Dell Registry Update Tool Registry Entries
The Dell Registry Update Tool creates the following two registry values:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Dell\Dell_RegFix_Success
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Dell\RegFix\Dell_RegFix_Success
These registry entries are intended for use by Dell support personnel. These registry keys do not affect any programs. These programs include the Dell™ OpenManage™ program. We recommend that you do not remove these registry entries.
More Information - Service Pack 1 for Microsoft® Windows Server® 2003
For more information about Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and about any special considerations that may be needed for a Dell™ PowerEdge™ server, see the following Dell KB Article: "Information About Microsoft® Windows Server® 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1)" Article ID: 287107.