Solved Remote Registry Changes

[jeanrouge]

I need to log into a VM in order to update some Service Packs.
Because it is a new VM RDP is disabled.
Also the mouse does not operate - only the keyboard.
However the keystrokes one can send to the machine are limited and I cannot open the START menu.
The only way I can see to enable RDP so that I can get on with things is to use "Remote Registry" as per https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc782195(v=ws.10).aspx
I have:-
1. Ensured that the Administrator account on the Local Machine has the same password as the VM
2. I rebooted everything (just in case)
3. I opened regedit on the local machine and had a lot of difficulty getting the name to resolve and the credentials accepted.
4. Finally it did but then it would not let me open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\......
5. Now, after logging out, in fact it has reverted to telling me that "Access Denied"
6. I can ping the VM but that is that.
This sort of stuff is way above my pay-grade does anyone have any ideas please?

 

[jeanrouge]

I've now read another thread which says I have to take ownership - great but how on earth do I get into the system in the first place? I've tried using computername, \\computername, IP address, \\IP address (surely just the same) \\computername\Administrator, computer name\Administrator - the combinations are endless - one was correct but which one?

 

[UsernameIssues]

See if you can run the app named systempropertiesadvanced.exe in the VM.

Maybe the Win key + R will start the Run dialog box.

If not, then...
...maybe via ctrl-alt-del then Task Manager then File > New Task (Run).

 

[jeanrouge]

Unhappily I cannot run anything in the VM because all I see is the basic XPPro screen (the keyboard works to allow me to type in the password) but the mouse is inactive. To make it active I have to update to SP3 then install Integration Tools. It is the only way. See the attachment! Nothing I can do can make anything react - It will accept keystrokes but there aren't any (aside from Ctrl+Esc which won't work) to open up the START menu! Frustrating.... Jean

 

[jeanrouge]

Sorry I meant to attach a "snip" but windows has saved it somewhere I cannot find just for the mo..

 

[jeanrouge]

OK I have sorted this out by using the Ctrl-Alt-Del button provided on the VM and doing a lot of keyboard manipulations!

 

[jeanrouge]

Thank you UserNameIssues - it was only after being frustrated rather a lot that I re-read your post!

 

[UsernameIssues]

You are welcome.

Glad that you got it sorted