cannot access registry keys

[MontyPalmer]

Hello all-

I have an XP SP1 machine that I am trying to upgrade to SP2. However, when the update runs, it encounters 15-20 registry keys that it cannot backup. When I manually go into regedit, as soon as I click on the key it gives me an error saying that it cannot open the key because I do not have permission. I right click and go to Permissions, and the list of those that has permissions is empty. I cannot add a user to the permission list due to lack of permissions. When I uncheck the box telling it to inherit permissions from parent it yells that if I proceed no one will be able to access it if I remove the inheritance.

One of the keys is dxdiag.dxdiagprvider which is a DirectX key so I thought that if I intall DirectX9.0c it should reset the permission, but the install fails saying that it cannot copy a required file. I could try to uninstall DirectX, but then I would need to uninstall all of the programs that have keys behaving in this way.

I am doing all of this with admin rights and have tried running in safe mode using the default admin account and have had no luck.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks heaps!

Monty Palmer
President
Paltechs

http://www.paltechs.com

 

[linney]

As an Administrator will it allow you to take ownership of the keys in question and then set up the various permissions?

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (Q308421)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/4/21.asp

You receive an "Access is denied" error message when you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 2

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;873148&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

This next link will lead you into the use of "SubInAcl".

http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.ph...ghlight=&sid=8b7e2f86d3b8ff54cc018acf7239352e

"Registry Access Denied"

http://langa.com/newsletters/2004/2004-11-18.htm

HOW TO: Reset Security Settings Back to the Defaults

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=313222

 

[MontyPalmer]

Thanks linney I will read through this stuff and let you know what happens.

Cheers!

Monty Palmer
President
Paltechs

http://www.paltechs.com

 

[MontyPalmer]

Hey linney,

The machine is simple XP Home so last article from MS will not work. Also, I have tried to access the key as a user with admin rights, and as the default admin account in safe mode with the same upleasant results. Looks like I am going to have to try SubInAcl. One question though, if there is no \windows resource kits\tools folder, does it matter from where I execute this, or does it need files that would be in that directory if I had one? Wierdly phrased question, but I hope you see what I am asking.

Need to contact the client and see when I can get to the box.

As always, thanks heaps!

Monty Palmer
President
Paltechs

http://www.paltechs.com

 

[linney]

Home should allow the Take Ownership procedure to work, but you are correct about the Resetting Security Settings, that unfortunately is only for Pro.

SubInAcl will probably work in any folder you create as long as the "reset.cmd" file is in the same folder. However I can't swear to that as I have never tried it.

If you have to download it go to -

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...56-d8fe-4a91-93cf-ed6985e3927b&displaylang=en

Some more information on SubInAcl -

Not Getting a "Save As" dialog
thread779-962708