Actual File Name of Registry in XP

[Paul Knudsen]

I've installed a SATA hard drive. I was not able to restore the image
of my old drive to it, so I'm reinstalling apps.

I installed Nero, but cannot locate the serial number. I do know that
it's in the registry, so wondered if I could find it on the backup.
What's the file name(s) of the Registry, and will I, by some miracle,
be able to browse it with Notepad?

XP Home with all updates, if that matters.

 

[Test User]

I've installed a SATA hard drive. I was not able to restore the image
of my old drive to it, so I'm reinstalling apps.

I installed Nero, but cannot locate the serial number. I do know that
it's in the registry, so wondered if I could find it on the backup.
What's the file name(s) of the Registry, and will I, by some miracle,
be able to browse it with Notepad?

XP Home with all updates, if that matters.

the registry is actually a hive of several files. Look in the
system32\config folder for them. You'll probably need to use a hex viewer
or editor to read what you can, but don't be too surprised if the key is
not readable.

Ahead can probably provide you with a replacement key..

HTH
-pk

 

[Linda B]

I imagine it's in the Software hive, which is in C:\Windows\System32\Config.
Remember you have to do "load hive" in the registry to edit it, and remember
to "unload hive" after you're done.

 

[Richie NY]

Go to Belarc advisor web site download and install the
advisor it's free, it will tell you everything about your
computer including major application key codes

 

[WTC]

Go to Belarc advisor web site download and install the
advisor it's free, it will tell you everything about your
computer including major application key codes

And how does one do this when the files are on an image? LOL

 

[Linda B]

I'm sorry, I didn't read your post as thoroughly as I should have. That's
where the Software hive is located, but (a) you probably won't be able to
get to it if it's still in the image, and (b) I don't think you'll be able
to edit it with Notepad -- it has to be done in the registry editor.

I suspect you may be SOL...

--
LB

I imagine it's in the Software hive, which is in C:\Windows\System32\Config.
Remember you have to do "load hive" in the registry to edit it, and remember
to "unload hive" after you're done.

 

[Bergo]

There is a program called Belarc Advisor www.belarc.com which is a free
download. It offers a huge amount of system imformation including many of
the installed programs on your hard drive with serial numbers and reg keys.

I imagine it's in the Software hive, which is in C:\Windows\System32\Config.
Remember you have to do "load hive" in the registry to edit it, and remember
to "unload hive" after you're done.

 

[WTC]

There is a program called Belarc Advisor www.belarc.com which is a free
download. It offers a huge amount of system imformation including many of
the installed programs on your hard drive with serial numbers and reg
keys.

And how does one do this when the files are on an image? LOL

 

[Paul Knudsen]

There is a program called Belarc Advisor www.belarc.com which is a free
download. It offers a huge amount of system imformation including many of
the installed programs on your hard drive with serial numbers and reg keys.

Hmm, ran belarc before. Thanks for the heads-up and I'll give it a
try and see if it works on a backup.

 

[Paul Knudsen]

I imagine it's in the Software hive, which is in C:\Windows\System32\Config.
Remember you have to do "load hive" in the registry to edit it, and remember
to "unload hive" after you're done.

Yes! I was able to edit the "software" file and find the key there!
Thanks to everyone. Interestingly, the data is readable but every
character has a space after it l i k e t h i s !

 

[Paul Knudsen]

Go to Belarc advisor web site download and install the
advisor it's free, it will tell you everything about your
computer including major application key codes

Thanks, but it only looks at what's actually installed on the machine,
not at backups.

 

[OShah]

Yes! I was able to edit the "software" file and find the key there!
Thanks to everyone. Interestingly, the data is readable but every
character has a space after it l i k e t h i s !

Y o u h a d s p a c e s . because strings are stored in the registry as
Unicode.

Now you know what Unicode ( http://www.unicode.org/ ) text looks like. As
another example, try looking at a WinXP reg file under Win98.



--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
oshah [shexec32]
Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Error Reporting -> Choose Programs
-> Do not report errors for these programs:

Acrobat.exe
waol.exe

------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Paul Knudsen]

Y o u h a d s p a c e s . because strings are stored in the registry as
Unicode.

That is very interesting, but I'm just glad I could read it, no matter
how it is stored.