windows registry-question for the pro's

[MLMIB]

okay, have a busted ME machine, won't load explorer once you boot windows, a friend suggested formatting, but than I'd hafta back up, thats long and pointless. problem is that we hafta find the CD-key to do a repair. I got a program that loads a gooy off a cd(windows like environment) so I can poke around all I want 'n do as I please. but when I load regedit it points to the os loaded, the gooy, not the busted ME one, even if I choose it on the C drive. is there a way to point the registry back to the windows ME or is there a way to manually dig and find the file? I'm assuming theres gotta be a way......

so yea
a) change it so the registry points to the C drive, not the os loaded off the D drive

or
b) where physically is the CDkey saved, not just the registry

if ya can help me ur my hero :D

thanx

[bdf24]

There are a few programs out there that are made to view your product key. I have one for XP. You'd have to do a search and try and find one for ME. I'm sure they've got em.

[Maximouse]

MLMIB, Try this:

Click Start - Run - type regedit - click OK - click Edit - click Find - type ProductKey - click Find Next.

The Product Key should be shown on the right side of the screen.

Hope it helps.

Al

[MLMIB]

if I do that it seems to bring up the product key for the os running(the gooey) not me :(

[Maximouse]

There is a program on this webpage that might help you.

http://www.angelfire.com/va3/vic3/winkeys.htm

Al


Also, any way you can boot into safe mode on the ME setup?

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/1999101916343139

[Xaotic]

You could try this one as well:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

[MLMIB]

yea, jelly just looks in the current os's files :( no way to make it refrence a different folder :(

[redduc900]

Did you try Maximouse's suggestion of booting into Safe Mode, and looking for the Product Key under the following Registry Key?...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE | SOFTWARE | Microsoft | Windows | CurrentVersion

The 'Value name' in the RH pane is ProductKey...the 25 digit number (Value data) is your Product Key. :)

[MLMIB]

couldn't get it to boot into safe mode =/ the shortcut is f8, right?

[CrashOveride]

Thats what it is for XP/2k... f8 before it shows the boot screen. Don't know for ME though. I think it might be ctrl, thats what it is for 98...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;180902
Me is more like 98 than anything else so...

[Maximouse]

Originally posted by MLMIB
couldn't get it to boot into safe mode =/ the shortcut is f8, right?

See the second link in my last message.

Apparently, the key is Ctrl and its quite tricky to do.

Al