Can you copy a WinXP Pro registry entry into Win 7 registry

Hello,

Background:
1. I have a program I use always, I have the install disks and can install it on Win 7 Pro x64. It is a 32 bit program. However, this program had a critical patch issued as a download way back when and this patch cannot be installed on the 7 system, because the installer is a NE (Win 3.1) 16bit. The patch is critical to the program without which it crashes every 5 to 10 minutes.
2. I put on Win 7 two programs which also only had 16bit installers, they also are 32bit and I got them to work. The solution for them was to copy the folder over from XP, click the exe and then windows gives you a window says x is missing [usually dll files] so I then copied over to the system32 and the sysWOW64 folders the missing dll files [Not sure which folder they should be in so did both]. They work a treat with no problems.

The Issue and question:
I copied and pasted this program over however, unlike the others when I click it the error message is That x is not found in the registry. So, I was wondering if it is possible to copy the existing registry file from XP to the Win 7 registry? The location on XP is the same location Win 7 gives for the missing folder and missing value.

I do understand editing registries is tricky, I've done just some basic edits and I know the first thing to do, if this is possible, is to back it up before I start.

Possible other solution? Could I install using the CDs which would put the program in the registry and then copy the folder I brought from XP over that installation and then change the registry based on the values that are in the XP registry? Though the first way would be the quickest, I don't care which I have to use as long as I can get the program running and since it is 32bit it will run once the registry issue is solved.

Thanks for any help.

Ruth

Just making sure I understand what you are saying.

1. uninstall the already patched program which should also remove the stuff from the registry
2. if the stuff is not removed from the registry what do I do?
3. if removed, then reinstall the program
4. take a picture of the registry as is before the patch
5. run the patch
6. take a new shot of the registry to see what has changed

I just want to make sure I am following your directions exactly so I get the correct results. I don't care how I have to do it and how long it takes just so I get the program on Win 7. Too bad no one thought about 16bit installers not working down the road when they first started on 32 bit programs installed with them. Not very visionary for a pretty visionary field [just kidding :)]

I can tell you one thing the patch does is upgrade the program version, it goes from 2 something to 3.869

Thanks so much for the help

Ruth

actually without trying you can't tell if it's going to work, so I would just try and see. Without going into specific details, some programs don't use the registry at all (for example portable apps) so it would be impossible to say if your program uses registry just for tracking it's folders etc. for example (should work) or uses it also for tracking illegal copies and security (won't work) etc etc. Once you find the right entries, you could just export them to file and then right click and merge on new system. Of course assume your system may get messed up totally in the process so have full back up of everything just in case. Personally I would do full disc image, good idea to have it anyway, always, besides restore point and full registry back up.

Thanks Pete and everyone. I will just keep plugging away, though I'm not real knowledgeable and have to mostly check forums I did just update a 16bit installer to 32 and it worked installing the program and creating registry files. Of course, that was one of those install shield installers and some of them are fixable though the process is tedious. Then again, it gives me something to do :) and who knows, maybe someone will come up with an answer! I'm an optimist at heart

Ruth

I'll try the SysInternals tool 1st. They have something called Process Monitor that monitors real time. If it works that's much less work for me since uninstalling and re-installing means I lose all my custom settings which I had done over the many years of using the program. But, I can do a screen capture of all the settings and use that to reset them after reinstall.

Thanks for all the help :)