reading registry from outside of windows

[MLMIB]

yea, got a comp, won't boot to windows but I need CD-keys that are on it, so yea, I was wondering if any of you know how to read the registry from either dos or from once inside windows(but when I just copied over the entire C drive

thanx for any help

 

[alpha_gamer]

I'm not going to ask why you need these serials, but if you want them I suggest sticking your HDD in another computer and booting it, and then get 'em and copy them out.

 

[MLMIB]

it's actualy for work, and I got the data off, the os itself, one of it's vital features is busted(I dunno, my boss said he can't fix it to boot to windows, I just take his word) so I have the files, just need to know how to find the keys

 

[Kendan]

Stick the drive in another box and boot it and see if that gets you anywhere. Just like alpha_gamer said.

 

[Captain U]

Isn't there a program that can get cd-keys of all programs on your computer?

 

[Krieger]

not that I have ever seen, but you might be able to get a program that can read a registry file. I've never seen one, though I think I've heard one does exist. you might want to try google for this.

 

[Captain U]

I read about it on this board.

 

[alpha_gamer]

Isn't there a program that can get cd-keys of all programs on your computer?

I don't think that's possible, it would be very difficult to make a program that can distinguish a serial from any other registry key. Unless it already had records of what programs have serials where, and what format they came in I don't think it would be very effective.

 

[RevelatorHarmon]

I read about it on this board

Here is a link to the Topic you are speaking of and the program is called "aida 32" there is also another one called "belarc advisor", but I think that they both have to be installed on the comp to be used, not sure.

 

[Aslan]

There is a program called Keyfinder that allows you to find the Windows or Office Key off your installed computer if you need it for re-installation purposes. I'm not sure if it will work if you copy the windows directory as you mentioned.

You could also try copying the windows registry from the non-working computer to a working computer (this might screw up the working computer completely, but if they are both the same kind, and working in safe mode work)

From DOS, on the C: of the working computer, with the non-working windows installation as the slave:
Attrib -s -r -h C:\Windows\System.dat (or depending on the location C:\Windows\System32\Config\System.dat) and
Attrib -s -r -h C:\Windows\User.dat (or C:\Windows\System32\Config\User.dat)
These two files are where the registry is held, and doing this will remove the read-only, hidden and system file attributes from the registry files.
Copy these two files into a safe location so you can restore the working computer back to it's original state once you get the cd-key you need, or if the entire process completely fails.

Then proceed to copy the old registry (User.dat and System.dat) from the slave drive onto the C: drive (on the slave drive, the files will most likely in the same locations as mentioned previously in the other drive ie: D:\Windows\System.dat )
You could also re-add the attributes to the replacement files once copied onto the C: Drive( by replacing the "-" with "+" as follows:
Attrib +s +r +h C:\Windows\System.dat )

Then boot (safe mode is best} and pray...
(note, this is just a reasonable hypothesis from my experiences, and I do believe it will work)
Hope this helps, and good luck.

 

[alpha_gamer]

Well, don't I feel like a moron. Not one but two programs that can find keys. Well, give them a shot. I'm interested in how they work. It seems like making a program like that would be very difficult.