Accessing registry on a 2nd HD

[Gary Richtmeyer]

I have a client's PC that won't boot and the decision has been made to
re-install XP. I've removed the HD and placed it into a 2nd PC in order to
backup the user's files before reformatting.

However, there is some info in the registry on that HD that I'd like to
access before reformatting the drive, but I'm at a loss on how to access it.
Regedit allows you to connect to a registry on another networked PC, but not
to a registry on another HD on the same PC.

I know there must be a technique to do this, but I haven't been able to
figure it out.

Can anyone help?

-- Gary Richtmeyer

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a client's PC that won't boot and the decision has been made to
re-install XP. I've removed the HD and placed it into a 2nd PC in order
to backup the user's files before reformatting.

However, there is some info in the registry on that HD that I'd like to
access before reformatting the drive, but I'm at a loss on how to access
it. Regedit allows you to connect to a registry on another networked PC,
but not to a registry on another HD on the same PC.

I know there must be a technique to do this, but I haven't been able to
figure it out.

Can anyone help?

-- Gary Richtmeyer

The WinXP registry can be found in C:\Windows\System32\Config\.
It'll be divided into several data files, such as Security, Software,
and System. The user-specific portion of the registry is stored in each
user profile, in a file named NTUser.dat.

Within Regedit, click File > Load Hive, and then point to the
\Windows\System32\Config\ folder on the target drive.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


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[Andy]

I have a client's PC that won't boot and the decision has been made to
re-install XP. I've removed the HD and placed it into a 2nd PC in order to
backup the user's files before reformatting.

However, there is some info in the registry on that HD that I'd like to
access before reformatting the drive, but I'm at a loss on how to access it.
Regedit allows you to connect to a registry on another networked PC, but not
to a registry on another HD on the same PC.

I know there must be a technique to do this, but I haven't been able to
figure it out.

Can anyone help?

Create a temporary registry key, highlight it, import registry file,
get information from it, export registry file, delete key.

 

[John John]

Use the "Load Hive" feature in Regedit, it's in the File menu. To
enable the feature highlight (click on) the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key. For
easy to follow instructions see here:
http://www.rwin.ch/xp-live/regedit.htm

John

 

[Gary Richtmeyer]

The WinXP registry can be found in C:\Windows\System32\Config\. It'll
be divided into several data files, such as Security, Software, and
System. The user-specific portion of the registry is stored in each user
profile, in a file named NTUser.dat.

Within Regedit, click File > Load Hive, and then point to the
\Windows\System32\Config\ folder on the target drive.

Bruce Chambers

Thanks Bruce.

I saw the "Load Hive", but it was grayed out. After your post, I played with
it some and it appears you have to select something other than "My Computer"
before it becomes active.

As a follow-up: one of the reasons to inspect that registry was to get the
XP license code so I know what to use for the re-install. I can find the
Product ID, but not the license code. Any help on this one?

-- Gary