Why does repeated reads of the registry cause a system crash?

[Steve]

Windows XP SP2 machine. (Intel 2.6G 512MB 160G HD) If I use Regedit to
read registry keys sequentially, the machine crashes and reboots. Any tool
that repeatedly reads the registry has the same effect. Spyware software,
registry cleaners etc.

Any ideas? It doesn't seem to be a specific key but reading a large number
of keys incrementally. The machine appears fit and well otherwise. I don't
believe its a virus or spyware.

TIA

Steve

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Steve,

The registry is constantly being read by the system and applications being
run within it. Scanning through entries should not cause any problems, but
something attempting to write to it could. Have you tried this in Safe mode
yet to see if the problem still occurs? If it does not, then you should also
be doing your spyware and virus scanning in that mode. Whatever is causing
the problem is likely doing whatever it can to block you from detecting it,
and as long as it is loading (normal mode), then you may not be able to
easily discover the source.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Steve N.]

Windows XP SP2 machine. (Intel 2.6G 512MB 160G HD) If I use Regedit to
read registry keys sequentially, the machine crashes and reboots. Any tool
that repeatedly reads the registry has the same effect. Spyware software,
registry cleaners etc.

Any ideas? It doesn't seem to be a specific key but reading a large number
of keys incrementally. The machine appears fit and well otherwise. I don't
believe its a virus or spyware.

TIA

Steve

Does it crash under other conditions? Have you tested RAM?

You can turn off the automatic restart function and get a BSOD error
message that might help in diagnosing this:

Right click My Computer, Properties, Advanced, Startup and Recovery,
uncheck Automatically restart.

Steve N.