Updating/Reading Registry Entries on Remote Machines

MikeLacey · Jan 14, 2000

I have an application that maintains NT Registry entries on NT machines - works fine etc. 
 
Problem is we have quite a few NT machines that need maintaining and I would like to do it all from one machine. 
 
It is technically possible to get at the registry on another machine (look at perfmon for instance) but I've never seen it done. 
 
So - how is it done? I can't see a Win32 Api call that looks as if it would do the job - but there has ot be something out there..... 
 
Mike 
Mike Lacey <a href=mailto:Mike_Lacey@Cargill.Com>Mike_Lacey@Cargill.Com</a> <a href=

http://www.cargill.com/>

Cargill's Corporate Web Site</a>

VB400 · Jan 14, 2000

Mike, 
 
I can't help you but maybe you can help me! 
 
What is the tool that you use for maintaining Win/NT registry? I used RegClean but that works on Win/95 only. Please let me know where I can get the tool you're using. 
 
Thanks!

MikeLacey · Jan 17, 2000

Hi, 
 
The tool I'm talking about above is an in-house app written in VB that maintains registry entries for in-house applications. 
 
Are you having a specific problem that makes you think your registry needs cleaning? 
 
There is a tool that fixes a specific VB generated reigistry error. This is from Microsoft and is called vbc. I suggest that as this modifies your registry you get a guaranteed version from <A HREF="

http://www.microsoft.com"

TARGET="_new">

http://www.microsoft.com</A>

just to be safe. 
 
Regards 
 
Mike 
Mike Lacey <a href=mailto:Mike_Lacey@Cargill.Com>Mike_Lacey@Cargill.Com</a> <a href=

http://www.cargill.com/>

Cargill's Corporate Web Site</a>

MikeLacey · Jan 17, 2000

Hi, 
 
The tool I'm talking about above is an in-house app written in VB that maintains registry entries for in-house applications. 
 
Are you having a specific problem that makes you think your registry needs cleaning? 
 
There is a tool that fixes a specific VB generated reigistry error. This is from Microsoft and is called vbc. I suggest that as this modifies your registry you get a guaranteed version from <A HREF="

http://www.microsoft.com"

TARGET="_new">

http://www.microsoft.com</A>

just to be safe. 
 
Regards 
 
Mike 
Mike Lacey <a href=mailto:Mike_Lacey@Cargill.Com>Mike_Lacey@Cargill.Com</a> <a href=

http://www.cargill.com/>

Cargill's Corporate Web Site</a>

Guest_imported · Jan 17, 2000

I thought I posted this before, but I'll try again. 
If you get this to work, I'd like an email on how to use it 
 
RegistryConnectRegistry 
Submitted on: 6/10/97 
By: VB Qaid 
 
 
 
Connects to either the Handle or Handle key on a remote computer, returning the handle to the opened key. 
 
 
Windows API/Global Declarations: 
 
 
'*************************************************************** 
'Windows API/Global Declarations for :RegistryConnectRegistry 
'*************************************************************** 
 
 
Declare Function RegCloseKey Lib "advapi32" (ByVal hKey As Long) As Long 
 
 
Declare Function RegCreateKeyEx Lib "advapi32" Alias "RegCreateKeyExA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpSubKey As String, ByVal Reserved As Long, ByVal lpClass As String, ByVal dwOptions As Long, ByVal samDesired As Long, lpSecurityAttributes As SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES, phkResult As Long, lpdwDisposition As Long) As Long 
 
 
Declare Function RegOpenKeyEx Lib "advapi32" Alias "RegOpenKeyExA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpSubKey As String, ByVal ulOptions As Long, ByVal samDesired As Long, phkResult As Long) As Long 
 
 
Declare Function RegQueryValueEx Lib "advapi32" Alias "RegQueryValueExA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpValueName As String, ByVal lpReserved As Long, lpType As Long, ByVal lpData As String, lpcbData As Long) As Long 
 
 
Declare Function RegSetValueEx Lib "advapi32" Alias "RegSetValueExA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpValueName As String, ByVal Reserved As Long, ByVal dwType As Long, ByVal lpData As String, ByVal cbData As Long) As Long 
 
 
Declare Function RegFlushKey Lib "advapi32" (ByVal hKey As Long) As Long 
 
 
Declare Function RegConnectRegistry Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "RegConnectRegistryA" (ByVal lpMachineName As String, ByVal hKey As Long, phkResult As Long) As Long 
 
 
Declare Function RegCreateKey Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "RegCreateKeyA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpSubKey As String, phkResult As Long) As Long 
 
 
Declare Function RegSetValue Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "RegSetValueA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpSubKey As String, ByVal dwType As Long, ByVal lpData As String, ByVal cbData As Long) As Long 
 
 
Declare Function RegSetValueExString Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "RegSetValueExA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpValueName As String, ByVal Reserved As Long, ByVal dwType As Long, ByVal lpValue As String, ByVal cbData As Long) As Long 
 
 
Declare Function RegSetValueExLong Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "RegSetValueExA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpValueName As String, ByVal Reserved As Long, ByVal dwType As Long, lpValue As Long, ByVal cbData As Long) As Long 
 
 
'Declare Function RegSetValueEx Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "RegSetV 
' alueExA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpValueName As String, ByVal 
' Reserved As Long, ByVal dwType As Long, lpData As Any, ByVal cbDa 
' ta As Long) As Long 
'Security Mask constants 
Public Const READ_CONTROL = &H20000 
Public Const SYNCHRONIZE = &H100000 
Public Const STANDARD_RIGHTS_ALL = &H1F0000 
Public Const STANDARD_RIGHTS_READ = READ_CONTROL 
Public Const STANDARD_RIGHTS_WRITE = READ_CONTROL 
Public Const KEY_QUERY_VALUE = &H1 
Public Const KEY_SET_VALUE = &H2 
Public Const KEY_CREATE_SUB_KEY = &H4 
Public Const KEY_ENUMERATE_SUB_KEYS = &H8 
Public Const KEY_NOTIFY = &H10 
Public Const KEY_CREATE_LINK = &H20 
Public Const KEY_ALL_ACCESS = ((STANDARD_RIGHTS_ALL Or KEY_QUERY_VALUE Or KEY_SET_VALUE Or KEY_CREATE_SUB_KEY Or KEY_ENUMERATE_SUB_KEYS Or KEY_NOTIFY Or KEY_CREATE_LINK) And (Not SYNCHRONIZE)) 
Public Const KEY_READ = ((STANDARD_RIGHTS_READ Or KEY_QUERY_VALUE Or KEY_ENUMERATE_SUB_KEYS Or KEY_NOTIFY) And (Not SYNCHRONIZE)) 
Public Const KEY_EXECUTE = ((KEY_READ) And (Not SYNCHRONIZE)) 
Public Const KEY_WRITE = ((STANDARD_RIGHTS_WRITE Or KEY_SET_VALUE Or KEY_CREATE_SUB_KEY) And (Not SYNCHRONIZE)) 
'Predefined Registry Keys used in hKey Argument 
Public Const HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT = &H80000000 
Public Const HKEY_CURRENT_USER = &H80000001 
Public Const HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE = &H80000002 
Public Const HKEY_USERS = &H80000003 
Public Const HKEY_PERFORMANCE_DATA = &H80000004 
' Return codes from Registration functions. 
Public Const ERROR_SUCCESS = 0& 
Public Const ERROR_BADDB = 1009& 
Public Const ERROR_BADKEY = 1010& 
Public Const ERROR_CANTOPEN = 1011& 
Public Const ERROR_CANTREAD = 1012& 
Public Const ERROR_CANTWRITE = 1013& 
Public Const ERROR_OUTOFMEMORY = 14& 
Public Const ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER = 87& 
Public Const ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED = 5& 
'Data type Public Constants 
Public Const REG_NONE = 0 
Public Const REG_SZ = 1 
Public Const REG_EXPAND_SZ = 2 
Public Const REG_BINARY = 3 
Public Const REG_DWORD = 4 
Public Const REG_DWORD_LITTLE_ENDIAN = 4 
Public Const REG_DWORD_BIG_ENDIAN = 5 
Public Const REG_LINK = 6 
Public Const REG_MULTI_SZ = 7 
Public Const REG_RESOURCE_LIST = 8 
Public Const REG_FULL_RESOURCE_DESCRIPTOR = 9 
Public Const REG_RESOURCE_REQUIREMENTS_LIST = 10 
'Options 
Public Const REG_OPTION_NON_VOLATILE = 0& 
Public Const REG_OPTION_VOLATILE = &H1 
 
 
Type SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES 
nLength As Long 
lpSecurityDescriptor As Variant 
bInheritHandle As Long 
End Type 
 
 
Public Sub gAPIDisplayError(Code&) 
 
 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'''''''''''''''''''''' 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'''''''''''''''''''''' 
''' ''' 
''' The subroutine gAPIDisplayError processes Code&. Code& is ret 
' urned by a ''' 
''' function calling one of the Win32 API Registry functions, and 
' describes ''' 
''' the end result of the function call. The value returned by Wi 
' n32 API''' 
''' Registry functions are constants defined in Registry32.declar 
' ations. If the ''' 
''' function call was executed sucessfully, it will return ERROR_ 
' SUCCESS, which ''' 
''' requires no follow up action. If the function call was execut 
' ed ''' 
''' unsuccessfully, it will return one of the below values. The o 
' nly follow up ''' 
''' action performed by this subroutine is to issue an error mess 
' age to the ''' 
''' screen, halting execution until the OK button is pressed.''' 
''' ''' 
''' The passed parameters are: ''' 
''' Code& - returned by a function calling one of the Win32 API R 
' egistry''' 
''' functions, describing the end result of the function call. '' 
' 
''' ''' 
''' The function performs the following tasks in corresponding or 
' der:''' 
''' 1) Perform a Select routine on Code&, and issue the respectiv 
' e error''' 
''' message to the screen. ''' 
''' ''' 
''' Since this module uses the Win32 API, it is only functional o 
' n Win95 and WinNT ''' 
''' systems.''' 
''' ''' 
''' ''' 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'''''''''''''''''''''' 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'''''''''''''''''''''' 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'''''''''''''' 
'' Perform a Select routine on Code&, and issue the respective er 
' ror message '' 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'''''''''''''' 
 
 
Select Case Code& 
Case ERROR_SUCCESS 
'Don't return an error message 
Case ERROR_BADDB 
MsgBox "Corrupt Registry Database!" 
Case ERROR_BADKEY 
MsgBox "Key name is bad" 
Case ERROR_CANTOPEN 
MsgBox "Cannot Open Key" 
Case ERROR_CANTREAD 
MsgBox "Cannot Read Key" 
Case ERROR_CANTWRITE 
MsgBox "Cannot Write Key" 
Case ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED 
MsgBox "Access to Registry Denied" 
Case ERROR_OUTOFMEMORY 
MsgBox "Out of memory" 
Case ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER 
MsgBox "Invalid Parameter" 
Case Else 
MsgBox "Undefined key Error code!" 
End Select 
 
End Sub 
 
 
 
Public Function BinaryInStringToHexInString(ConvertThis$) As String 
 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'''''''''''''''''''''' 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'''''''''''''''''''''' 
''' ''' 
''' The function BinaryInStringToHexInString converts unreadable 
' binary data in a''' 
''' string variable, and returns readable hexadecimal format. Not 
' e that the ''' 
''' returned string isn't headed with the standard &H notation. ' 
'' 
''' ''' 
''' The passed parameters are: ''' 
''' ConvertThis$ - the string of unreadable binary data to be con 
' verted to ''' 
''' hexedecimal format. ''' 
''' ''' 
''' The function performs the following tasks in corresponding or 
' der:''' 
''' 1) Initiate a For loop that iterates once for each character 
' in the string. ''' 
''' A character is a byte of binary data represented by two hexad 
' ecimal ''' 
''' digits. ''' 
''' 2) Translate the loop counter's character/byte into hexadecim 
' al.''' 
''' 3) If the hexadecimal translation is one character long, add 
' a "0" leader. ''' 
''' 4) Append the two hexadecimal characters to the buffer. ''' 
''' 5) Return the completed buffer to the calling procedure.''' 
''' ''' 
''' ''' 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'''''''''''''''''''''' 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'''''''''''''''''''''' 
Dim i% 'Loop counter 
Dim Buffer$ 'Storage String For the hexadecimal translation 
Dim HexPacket$ 'The two character hexadecimal translation For the Byte of binary data 
''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'' Initiate a For loop '' 
''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
 
 
For i = 1 To Len(ConvertThis$) Step 1 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
' 
'' Translate the loop counter's character/byte into hexadecimal ' 
' 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
' 
HexPacket$ = Hex$(Asc(Mid$(ConvertThis$, i, 1))) 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
''''''''''' 
'' If the hexadecimal translation is one character long, add a "0 
' " leader '' 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
''''''''''' 
 
 
If Len(HexPacket$) = 1 Then 
HexPacket$ = "0" & HexPacket$ 
End If 
 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'' Append the two hexadecimal characters to the buffer '' 
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
Buffer$ = Buffer$ + HexPacket$ 
Next i 
 
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
'' Return the completed buffer to the calling procedure '' 
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 
BinaryInStringToHexInString = Buffer$ 
End Function 
 
 
 
'*************************************************************** 
' Name: RegistryConnectRegistry 
' Description:Connects to either the Handle or Handle key on a re 
' mote computer, returning the handle to the opened key. 
' By: VB Qaid 
' 
' 
' Inputs:The passed parameters are: 
ConnectToThisComputer$ - the name of the computer to connect to. 
AlreadyOpenedKey& - the remote root key to connect to. It can be either the 
Handle or Handle key (constant). 
 
The Function declaration For RegConnectRegistry was taken from the (Jan96) MSDN 
and from WIN32API.TXT. It is declared in Registry32.declarations. 
The parameters used With RegConnectRegistry are defined in the (Jan96) MSDN in 
\Product Documentation\SDKs\Win32 SDK\Win32 Programmer's Reference\ 
\Reference\Functions\ReadEventLog to RemoveMenu\RegConnectRegistry. 
ConnectToThisComputer$ - the name of the computer to connect to. 
AlreadyOpenedKey& - the remote root key to connect to. It can be either the 
Handle or Handle key (constant). 
ConnectedRegistryKey& - placeholder For the handle (long number) obtained 
by RegConnectRegistry. 
lReturn - a constant returned describing the success/failure of the 
 
 
function. The constants are defined in Registry32.declarations and 
 
 
processed by Registry32.gAPIDisplayError. 
' 
' Returns:None 
' 
'Assumes:The function performs the following tasks in correspondi 
' ng order: 
1) Open the key AlreadyOpenedKey& On the computer ConnectToThisComputer$, 
and store the handle in ConnectedRegistryKey&. 
2) Process lReturn. For details, see the documentation for 
Registry32.gAPIDisplayError. 
3) Return the handle to the newly opened key to the calling procedure. 
 
Since this module uses the Win32 API, it is only functional on Win95 and WinNT 
systems. 
 
 
 
'*************************************************************** 
 
 
 
Public Function RegistryConnectRegistry(ConnectToThisComputer$, AlreadyOpenedKey&) As Long 
 
Dim ConnectedRegistryKey&'The handle to the key opened by RegConnectRegistry 
Dim lReturn As Long 'the Error value returned by the registry Function 
'' 
'' Open the key AlreadyOpenedKey& on the computer ConnectToThisCo 
' mputer$, and store '' 
'' the handle in ConnectedRegistryKey& '' 
'' 
lReturn = RegConnectRegistry(ConnectToThisComputer$, AlreadyOpenedKey&, ConnectedRegistryKey&) 
'' Process lReturn '' 
Call Registry32.gAPIDisplayError(lReturn) 
'' Return the handle to the newly opened key to the calling proce 
' dure '' 
RegistryConnectRegistry = ConnectedRegistryKey& 
End Function

MikeLacey · Jan 18, 2000

Cas21 - thanks - that looks very promising. 
 
I'll try it out - the RegConnectRegistry call seems to be the one I'm after. 
 
Hairy stuff this <grin> I'll let you know. 
 
-ml Mike Lacey <a href=mailto:Mike_Lacey@Cargill.Com>Mike_Lacey@Cargill.Com</a> <a href=

http://www.cargill.com/>

Cargill's Corporate Web Site</a>

Tek-Tips is the largest IT community on the Internet today!

Members share and learn making Tek-Tips Forums the best source of peer-reviewed technical information on the Internet!

Updating/Reading Registry Entries on Remote Machines

MikeLacey

MIS

VB400

Programmer

MikeLacey

MIS

MikeLacey

MIS

Guest_imported

New member

MikeLacey

MIS

Similar threads

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor