Registry write/read problems

[Richard Gaskin]

Paul Salyers wrote:
> I have a program that writes a key to registry to unlock a program and 
> make it go from shareware to full version.
> 
> I program on a Windows 2000 Pro. The executable works great on my 
> Windows 2000 Pro & Windows 98 laptop.
> 
> Three friends run it on their Windows XP and it worked fully on 1 worked 
> half way on 1 and didn't work at all on 1. *

I can't offer any insight into the Registry, as I generally avoid 
platform-specific solutions whenever possible.  Maybe this 
multi-platform alternative will be helpful:

I tend to store reg info in stack files, and you can tuck them into 
C:/Documents and Settings/<UserName>/Application Data/

You can obtain the path to that folder with:

   get specialFolderPath(26)

For a list of all specialFolderPath options available for both Mac and 
Win see Ken Ray's excellent compendium at 
<http://www.sonsothunder.com/devres/metacard/tips/file010.htm>

On Mac I do the same thing, storing the info in the Preferences folder 
using:

   get specialFolderPath("preferences")

The stack I store the info in contains code and/or objects critical to 
the program's operation, so merely deleting it will make the program 
unable to run.

It's not bullet-proof (what is?), but it's more secure and less volatile 
than the Registry, can be used on all platforms, and avoids the 
wonkiness of working with the Registry.

--
  Richard Gaskin
  Fourth World Media Corporation
  __________________________________________________
  Rev tools and more: http://www.fourthworld.com/rev