Re: OT--Registry re-install

[Flash flash@xxxxxxxx]

Harry,
If you have a copy of the Registry from before the point of
corruption, then it should be possible to re-install the operating
system on C: without having to re-install all the programs on D:,
though I must confess that I have not actually done this myself.
We'll call "Reg-prime" the prior version, saved when the system was
healthy; "Reg-corrupt" the one you have now; and "Reg-new" the one
you'll get after re-installing the OS on C: and which is to be
overwritten by Reg-prime as soon as feasible.
Ensure that after re-installing the OS on C:, you also re-install the
same service packs which were in effect at the time when the Reg-
prime copy was made. Then you can import Reg-prime (see screen shot).
If any software was installed after the Reg-prime copy was made, then
all bets are off as to whether you can get it to work again. Assume
that any post-Reg-prime software will not work. The uninstall files
will be nonexistent on the re-installed C: partition and in Reg-new,
so you may not be even able to uninstall post-Reg-prime software in
order to re-install it. (There are however freeware tools which can
often delete such software relics, for which there are neither
uninstall files nor Reg entries--more on this later, if you need it.)
Backup your Reg-corrupt before the C:lean sweep. You may find that it
contains a few uncorrupted keys that Reg-prime does not have and
needs once you copy Reg-prime to the re-installed OS partition. You
can copy single keys over to the re-installed Reg-prime if necessary
to get everything working again.
I suggest you search the Microsoft user forums for threads on
restoring / importing a previous Registry, to find out what glitches
may yet be lurking in the WINS for you.

Good luck!