how can i copy a file to my Winxp registry?

Shell32.dll is a major part of the operating system, not part of the registry. Form the descrption you give of the PC crashing every hour or so it sounds as if you either have a overheating or disk problem. the only sure way to eliminate the disk is to reformat, but as you say thiss will remove your data. If you have access to anothe PC, I woul piggy back you Hard Disk into that PC and copy the data of. You could then return the disk to your original PC and reformat and install the system. It is likely that there is a physical fault with the disk, do the best solution may well be to purchase a new hard disk install the OS on that and have your original drive in as a slave so that you can copy the data of.

Hope this helps

IanR
April 2007