System information

Figure 84. Windows NT Diagnostics - Memory
This utility can only be executed locally as long as it is not used in conjunction
with MS Systems Management Server (SMS).
2.2.6 Windows NT Registry Editor
The Windows NT Registry is the configuration database for the entire system.
Information that used to be in multiple .INI files in different places is now kept in
one hierarchically database. It contains information about hardware
configuration, OS environment, printer configuration, installed software and much
more. Almost all 32-bit application relay on this database. There are still some
.INI files for compatibility to 16-bit windows applications.
In most cases database entries are handled by the Windows NT itself or by
software installation routines.
Caution!
Because database fields can be various types like ASCII, binary or hex, it is
not always simple to handle this values manually. Faulty entries can cause
system malfunctions or even force a system reinstallation in the worst case.
Be very carefully by altering values manually and do nothing until you
understand fully the consequences of your change. Always back up your
registry using a tool like the regback command, that comes with the NT
Resource Kit.
With the Windows NT Registry Editor you can edit this database on the local
system or on remote system through the network. To perform any changes you
must have administrative rights within the domain the system belongs to or on
the system itself. You can also be given certain rights on keys as on file objects.
The Registry Editor has no icon in the Program Manager by default. You can
start the Registry Editor either by typing
REGEDT32 in a command box or create a
Program Manager icon by dragging and dropping REGEDT32.EXE from the File
Manager to the desired Program Manager group. REGEDT32.EXE is located in
the SYSTEM32 subdirectory of the Windows NT program directory.
Chapter 2. NT Systems Management Functions 61