Registry expert needed!!!

[FOH]

I have had a lot of problems with my digital camera (I won't go into the details--it's a LONG story), anyway I want to COMPLETELY delete ALL of the camera software, and try and reload to see if that works. I started by uninstalling the camera software using the uninstall utility, then I went into the registry, searched and deleted all I can find that has anything to do with the camera (lots and lots). All went well except for 3 folders that won't delete. In these 3 folders are many entries, all connected with the camera. I have also tried to delete the individual entries in the 3 folders-- no luck. Here is where the 3 folders are located:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/ControlSet001/Enum/USB/Vid_040a&Pid_0130
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/ControlSet002/Enum/USB/Vid_040a&Pid_0130
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Enum/USB/Vid_040a&Pid_0130

It is interesting that they are all located in a USB folder, and that is problem with the camera--USB won't work.

I have tried to turn off all running apps, unplugged all USB devices, even went as far as uninstalling all USB devices and removing the USB board from the computer, then tried to delete the camera files, in the USB folders, in the registry, still didn't work.

All other USB devices work fine. Any ideas how to delete the folders, and get rid of ALL camera software???? THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

 

[techfuzz]

Short of reinstalling the Windows I can think of only 1 or 2 ways to delete keys that can't be deleted through normal means.

1. Try booting into safe mode and try deleting the keys while in safe mode.
2. A little more extreme method, make a copy of your registry file and edit it on another computer to remove those stubborn keys. Boot to the Windows CD and use the System Restore(?) method to boot to the DOS prompt and replace your existing registry file with the edited version.

I've done #2 before but that was because I had a corrupted registry file. The methods used are very cumbersome and hard to explain. Here is the KB article that I used to get me back up and running. You could apply the same methods to your situation I believe.

Microsoft KB Article

BTW, as with any standard registry conversation, I take no responsibility for any damage that may be incurred by following my suggestions.

Good luck!

techfuzz

 

[Nothinman]

Run regedt32 and check the permissions on those keys.

 

[FOH]

Thanks for the replies!!

techfuzz - I went into safe mode and that didn't help. I also looked at the artical you made the link to -- like you said -- kind of an extreme method!! BUT ----

Nothinman - I went into the regedt32 (I had never been there before -- I learned something new!!!) and looked at the permissions and sure enough, it was read only. SO I changed to FULL ACCESS and it worked!!! I went back into regedit and they deleted no problem!!!

Now another question. What is the difference in regedit and regedt32 ??? Just curious

Now I can reload my camera software and see if it does the trick!!! THANKS ALL!!!

 

[Nothinman]

regedt32 is the original NT registry editor, it's the fully functional one. regedit is the win9x looking port and it lacks access to a few things in the registry, most notably ACLs.

 

[techfuzz]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
regedt32 is the original NT registry editor, it's the fully functional one. regedit is the win9x looking port and it lacks access to a few things in the registry, most notably ACLs.

Thank you Nothinman! I learned something new today too. I'll be using regedt32 from now on with that knowledge in mind.

techfuzz