I can't open regedit, edit environment variables nor open regedt32 - HELP!

[3 Hours Dungeon]

I was trying to change the default install path because I have a tiny SSD for my C:\ . I followed some advice on this page:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/how-do-you-change-the-default-installation/73450b25-d794-4f18-9add-75253b893343

I changed my drives from C to D in my path. I can't open a lot of applications and I don't know what to do. Need help asap.

For those that don't click on the website above: I used regedit to change things in the registry and now everything is messed up.

 

[corroded]

try one of these... change it back, then uninstall and reinstall the applications onto the other drive

 

[3 Hours Dungeon]

try one of these... change it back, then uninstall and reinstall the applications onto the other drive

Not to sound rude but the whole point of me making this post after all the searching I've done about people having similar problems is I can't change it back. These applications are unopenable to me now - preventing me from changing anything. That's why I'm here. I need help getting another solution. I tried moving my windows folder over to my D drive and regedit still getting this error: "Windows cannot find xxxxx spell it correctly". I've tried opening it from command prompt, from windows explorer, and run.

I obviously don't want to reformat if possible but if that's the last/only solution I guess that's fine.

Edit: I can't install or open .exe's either.

 

[corroded]

eek... you moved the Windows folder... ouch Sorry. I'm not ever sure where to begin.

 

[3 Hours Dungeon]

Bumping in hopes someone will find this and help.

 

[3 Hours Dungeon]

Anyone?

 

[corroded]

Sorry... the only thing I can think to do is use this:
http://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/

It will let you create a bootable USB or CD to use a "mini XP" then perhaps you can move the folder back...

 

[3 Hours Dungeon]

I have a Windows 7 CD. Does that make a difference?

 

[corroded]

NOT SURE... THIS IS ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE:

http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/win7s-no-reformat-nondestructive-reinstall/

 

[3 Hours Dungeon]

Unless no one else can come in here and suggest something... I guess I'll try your most recent solution? Thanks for the help corroded. I'll see if I can try it tomorrow.

 

[corroded]

Did it work... I was away for a bit and not updating threads...

 

[3 Hours Dungeon]

I don't know how, my computer turned off randomly. I go to turn it back on and my monitor won't come on. I unplug and replug it into a different slot and got it to turn on. When I rebooted: I was able to try a system restore because "windows was unable to start" or something. I have the registry editor open and need to know what to change back! Haha. Probably just change D:\ to C:\ on all of these: ProgramFilesDir, ProgramFilesDir (x86), and ProgramW6432Dir?

 

[MrZoolook]

Still having problems?

Me personally, I'd look at getting Windows running first, if just to backup all your important stuff. I'm assuming you can download stuff onto whatever computer your using to post here. Download a small Linux distribution or even a full on rescue disc onto a pen drive or CD. Boot from it, then just copy your windows directory back onto the right drive or partitions.

At this point, if you hadn't screwed up too much, you should be able to get Windows running again. At least booted up to be able to copy your important documents for backup purposes.

once that's done, simply reinstall windows onto the new drive. Note: reinstall, NOT copy. Just copying got you into this mess. Make sure you reformat the new drive too, else the new Windows might try using your old settings that are still on the new drive, and bomb out still.

Personally, I'd use the smaller drive for Windows, and keep my documents, music, Films, whatever on the larger drive. You don't say how big the smaller drive is, but I configured my mums BFs computer, and it runs fine with 100GB for Windows7 and everything else he needs. At least that way, if the system drive fails, his important stuff isn't lost at all.