Is it possible? (Registry)

[mrlucio]

I am having a problem with Windows ME booting up to the desktop. Right after i enter the windows password it just sits there. I can't even get into safe mode, does the same thing. Now is it possible to edit the registry in DOS?

[rebert]

it is, but i forgot how to do it.
my dad knows. but he wouldnt tell me.

[glc]

Q: Is there a way to edit the registry from a command prompt (DOS)?
A: Unfortunately because the registry is a part of Windows it is not possible to edit the registry without running Regedit through Windows. If you are not able to get into Windows you may wish to attempt to run regedit.exe from Safe mode.

However, you can *restore* a previous registry if you have a bootdisk.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q221512/

[galaxian]

You can edit the registry from DOS if you know what you are doing, but I'm not sure what you would want to try.

I would try the Scanreg /restore first and see how that works.

[mrlucio]

It looks like its Explorer.exe that is locking up. Is it possible to repair explorer.exe? I have tried restoring a older registry backup and that still didn't work. I can't even get into safe mode. I do not want to reinstall Windows ME. Any more suggestions

[glc]

You can install ME "over the top" without reformatting - this would be worth a try. Just install it to the same path.

You might want to use a DOS-based virus scanner to make sure that's not what's screwing it up. F-Prot can be run from floppies.

http://www.f-prot.com/support/dos/fpdos_faq/06.html

Download F-Prot for DOS, extract the zip into an empty folder, then download the 2 definition updates and unzip them into the same folder, overwriting all. Then follow the above procedure to make floppies, boot with any FAT32-capable dos bootdisk.

[mrlucio]

if i do a "over the top" install, will it keep all my custom settings and all my programs. Or do I have to reinstall everything?

[Panama Red]

Over the top installs in 98se and ME just affect the OS. Will not change any programs or personal files. You will have to go to Windows Update afterward to add all the updates issues since your CD was released. Not positive but I think it will leave your Favorites intact but other "custom setting" will need to be changed again. One in particular is the tweak to increase speed of internet connection.