Registry Search + Replace FAQ

(please check this list often for new questions and answers)

Q1:

When I try to run REGSRCH.EXE, I get the error stating the MFC42.DLL, MSVCRT.DLL, or MSVCIRT.DLL file(s) are required. Where are these files? Why didn't REGSRCH2.ZIP contain them?

A1:

These are Microsoft redistributable DLL's required by many Windows applications created with Microsoft tools, such as RegSearch. You may already have them on your system from another program, just not in your Windows SYSTEM (or SYSTEM32 of NT) directory. Do a file search for these files and if you find them, move them to the system directory.

If you can't locate them on your system already, you can download them from Compuserve's WINSHARE forum or from the Internet at address http://www.iserv.net/~sjhswdev/MSVCMFC.ZIP. Once you've downloaded them, place them in your system directory and RegSearch will spring to life!

Q2:

The Search button is always disabled no matter what. What is wrong?!

A2:

If you are a registered user or are within your evaluation period, make sure that you have entered valid search criteria (ie: something to search for, where to look, etc.). If you are an unregistered user who has exceeded the usage count, the Search button will remain disabled until you register.

Q3:

The first time I press the Search button there is a delay before the search actually starts. What is going on here?

A3:

The first time through, RegSearch has to precompute the total number of keys in your registry so that accurate progress can be displayed.

Q4:

I am having trouble searching remote registries. What are some issues that I may be facing?

A4:

Remote registry searching works well, but only if you follow the rules.
First, if you are a Win95 client and are searching another Win95 client, both machines have to be running the Microsoft Remote Registry Service. This component is not part of a normal Win95 installation, but can be found on the Win95 CD in the \ADMIN\NETTOOLS\REMOTEREG directory. The file REGSERV.TXT there describes how to install and configure the service. If you don't have the CD version of Win95, Microsoft has made this component available on the internet. There are also some articles relating to this component in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

Second, if you are a WinNT client and are searching another WinNT client, the remote machine must have its security set such that this type of access is allowed. Please see the Windows NT Resource Kit for more information about Windows NT security across a network.

Third, WinNT machines cannot search Win95 registries, and vice-versa. This may be changing in Windows NT 4.0, due out later this year.
NOTE: This is a Microsoft limitation!

Because Steven J. Hoek Software Development lacks the resources to test the remote registry search capability on a wide variety of network platforms, we would welcome any feedback or information you can relate about your experiences.

Q5:

Remote registry searching is slow! Can I speed it up?

A5:

Unfortunately, remote registry searching is fairly slow, depending on the throughput of your network. Speed increases as the load on the network and the remote machine decrease, so if you are doing batch updates across a corporate network, try to perform them at off-peak hours.

Q6:

I accidently deleted my RegSearch installation, and when I reinstalled I am no longer registered [and past my evaluation period]. Help!

A6:

Simply enter your registration information again. If you have misplaced this as well, send us a e-mail message and we can regenerate it for you (you must use the same registration information as before, however).

Q7:

How often do updates to RegSearch come out?

A7:

Well, between RegSearch v1.00 and RegSearch v2.00 there was over a year. As major bugs are found, or new features are requested, I intend to respond more quickly with this version because I am asking for a registration fee. Registered users always receive first priority in terms of support, bug fixes, and feature requests. Watch this web site or www.windows95.com for updates.

Q8:

Under Windows NT, RegSearch is not finding some string data that I know is there. What's up?!

A8:

Windows NT enforces greater security than Windows 95. Make sure that you have enough privilege to access the part of the registry you are trying to make a change in. With Windows NT there are some parts of the registry (system and hardware-specific) that cannot be accessed programmatically by a user-mode application.