Accessing registry on a 2nd HD

[Guest 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

[Guest Bruce Chambers]

Re: Accessing registry on a 2nd HD

 

Gary Richtmeyer wrote:

> 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

 

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[Guest Andy]

Re: Accessing registry on a 2nd HD

 

On Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:02:13 -0500, "Gary Richtmeyer"

<glricht5-removeme-@imailbox.com> wrote:

>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.

>

>-- Gary Richtmeyer

[Guest John John]

Re: Accessing registry on a 2nd HD

 

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 wrote:

> 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

[Guest Gary Richtmeyer]

Re: Accessing registry on a 2nd HD

 

 

"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message

news:Omtw5EQdIHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Gary Richtmeyer wrote:

>> 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

>

 

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