Problem with Registry

[realprostunna]

Something's wrong with my registry. First, Windows' own shortcuts (.lnk files) are recognized by Windows itself. I checked the registry, and the problem sure was there (it showed "Value Not Set" for .lnk files). So I exported the registry file from my other computer to import it onto this other computer. Only problem is, the registry doesn't even recognize its own .reg files.

I'm not quite sure what exactly caused this as I don't use this computer, but I'm thinking it may have been the work of a Trojan or something (the virus scanner found two or three trojans). The problem with the .lnk files happened a few weeks ago, but I was able to correct it 'cause there was nothing wrong with the registry files. But now, the registry doesn't even recognize .reg files.

Is there a way to fix this? Or am I going to have to reformat? I've tried some registry cleaning software (CCleaner and Tuneup Utilities), but they didn't solve the problem.

Any help would be appreciated - thanks.

 

[HN]

Originally posted by: realprostunna
So I exported the registry file from my other computer to import it onto this other computer.

:Q

 

[corkyg]

Like HN said - "Ooooh!" Regiustries cannot be exchanged from one computer to another. You should have kept the original Registry and used System Restore to find an earlier date that worked.

At the present, your best bet is to reformat and do a fresh install. Anyway - it's worth a bump.

 

[realprostunna]

*Grumbles* Damn it. Thanks though. Now I have to find the XP disk.

 

[thegorx]

exporting registry subkeys from one computer to another in the case of files extensions
shouldn't cause a problem.

there is nothing unique about reg exports of these keys

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile

Something must be messing with your registry or it's becoming corrupt for some reason

Is there a way to fix this? Or am I going to have to reformat? I've tried some registry cleaning software (CCleaner and Tuneup Utilities), but they didn't solve the problem.

most registry utilites are a joke and can cause more problems than they might fix

if you want to learn I'm sure you could get your system going
either by using restore point registry snapshots or your original registry back up
in the WINDOWS\repair folder

here is a place to start learning

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting

if you get yourself a boot CD it makes the process of restoring just the regisrty a lot easier

If you have your system restore turned on and you haven't cleaned it up or reinstalled and have a decent size drive you should have registry snapshot for a few month back at least, and even it system restore might not work you can still restore registry back ups if you know how

or to import reg files if the extension is not recognized you can try usin
regedit > FILE > Import

 

[realprostunna]

Yeah, that's what I had originally thought: importing subkeys shouldn't cause much harm because all Windows use the same registry keys - in this case

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile.

But I'm going to try what you've suggested to try to fix the problem.