Registry Administrator Lockout WinXP

[shaquatch]

On my in-law's Pc's Running WinXP Pro SP1, I cannot access certain parts of the registry.I cannot install certain programs or uninstall an error ridden windows media player 10 or even roll it back. Logged on as administrator in safe mode, the keys that I try to access and change permissions to will not open and if I try to change the permissions It says access denied.

Im thinking I might be able to change something in gpedit.msc, but I am unsure.
I have also tried to use secedit\gpupdate but that just gives me an error.

 

[Maxil223]

bump

 

[mechBgon]

Hunch: get Ad-Aware SE Personal and then get the VX2 add-on, both from Lavasoft. Install them, update Ad-Aware SE Personal, and run scans for VX2 (and other malware).

Or just blow away that Windows installation? 🙂 Sounds like it's reached the official/confirmed Seriously Messed Up? condition.

 

[shaquatch]

It has Ad-aware Se with the VX2 plugin. And Spybot search and destroy, also Webroot spysweeper all with updated definitions.

 

[mechBgon]

And a modern antivirus program, I assume. What do they detect, if anything? Got the names of any of it for research?

 

[shaquatch]

Yeah they used to be on AvG but are now on avast with all updates...They have had trouble with trojans in the past.Avast gives it a clean bill of health now. The anti spyware software doesnt detect anything but cookies now...
I don't have the PC in front of me For specifics...
They had this anti trojan elite program It seemed really intrusive, I wonder if that somehow locked the registry even though its uninstalled.
Thank You for your quick replies mechbgon

 

[mechBgon]

Have you tried giving permissions on those keys to the Administrators group yet? Shoot, I'd be done reinstalling Windows by now 😀

 

[shaquatch]

Yeah I've tried that. Every time I try to give the administrator or everyone access to the keys it lets me but then I click on apply and it says access denied.
If it was my PC I would have WinXp re-installed by now already too. I have to have 2 adults, 2 HighSchool Students and a College student backup their data first.

 

[Jeff7]

Maybe try going to the Advanced section in the Permissions window for the keys, and check who the owner is. Make sure it's set to Administrators. Then try changing the permissions on the keys.

 

[imported_Phil]

So you have Spybot's Search & Destroy active protection turned on, the one that stops programs/people writing to certain parts of the registry, yes?

Think carefully.

 

[shaquatch]

Originally posted by: Dopefiend
So you have Spybot's Search & Destroy active protection turned on, the one that stops programs/people writing to certain parts of the registry, yes?

Think carefully.

Actually no not that I am aware of, Spybot is a relatively new addition to their repertoir,they have had trouble before spybot. I have their spybot setup the same as mine, and I can Add/Remove things at my whimsy.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: shaquatch

Originally posted by: Dopefiend
So you have Spybot's Search & Destroy active protection turned on, the one that stops programs/people writing to certain parts of the registry, yes?

Think carefully.

Actually no not that I am aware of, Spybot is a relatively new addition to their repertoir,they have had trouble before spybot. I have their spybot setup the same as mine, and I can Add/Remove things at my whimsy.

It still sounds like there's something that's blocking access to those registry keys. Ad-Aware may have a similar feature, maybe also the other program you posted.