HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE is the handle key that represents the hives that control
the system and
software. The settings are independent of the user, because they are
made for all users who will use the system. Figure B.1 shows the eight main keys
in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE inside REGEDIT.EXE, the Registry editor for
Windows 95.
Figure B.1.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and its eight
first-level keys.
All of the settings in this chapter appear in the following format.
Full path=Handle Key\Keyname
Description, specific information, values
Full path=Handle Key\Keyname\Keyname
Description, specific information, values
Full path=Handle Key\Keyname\Keyname\Keyname
Description, specific information, values
Full path=Handle
Key\Keyname\Keyname\Keyname\Keyname(\Keyname)
Description, specific information, values
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\AppEvents
The AppEvents key in Windows 95 is empty, for future use with client/server applications in thin clients. The application will actually reside on the network server, and this key will hold the pointers to the parts and pieces.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Config
The Config key holds display and printer configurations. Each configuration will be stored in a key called 0001 or 0002 and so on, one for every configuration. If you only have a single hardware configuration, you will only have the key 0001.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Config\0001
This is the only key under Config if you have only one hardware profile.
The value ProfileFlags shows whether hardware profiles are used on the system.
The
default is
00 00 00 00, which means they are turned off.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Config\0001\Display
This shows the display settings for the screen font, window sizing, and window positioning.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Config\0001\System
This key holds information about the printers on the system.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Config\0001\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers
Under this key, there is a key for each printer on the system.
Figure B.2 shows the printers in my system.
Adding and
removing printers through Control Panel will adjust this list.
Figure B.2.
Installed printers.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum
The Enum key holds the information about hardware devices that are found
during startup. Windows 95 uses "bus enumerators" to
detect hardware during
setup and pull information form various .INF files. The devices shown here
are those that were installed and have been detected at startup. Figure B.3 shows
the keys under the Enum key.
Figure B.3.
All of the hardware settings in Windows 95 are referenced
in the Enum key.
Listed in this section will only be devices that are unique and require special explanation.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\BIOS
The BIOS key stores information on all the Plug and Play devices in the system. They are listed as a set of code numbers, with specifications for each in the values. For example, *PNP0400 is the key for the parallel port LPT1. If LPT1 didn't respond to the Plug and Play functions, instead of being listed here, it would have been listed in the Root key under Enum.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\Root
The Root key holds all the information for the non-Plug and Play BIOS devices. Looking here, we can quickly determine which devices have responded to Plug and Play functions, and which haven't. Figure B.4 illustrates that, and lists the devices in my system that are not compatible with Plug and Play.
Figure B.4. Devices incompatible with Plug and Play.
An example is the SCSI adapter, my Adaptec 1542C host adapter. A device that must match the configuration in Windows 95 with the hardware settings has a value named ForcedConfig, which the system will not try to change.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\Network
The networking functions for Windows 95 are detailed in this key. Subkeys are
included for each major service
and protocol that is installed. Table B.1 shows the
key and its corresponding service.
Table B.1. Network services in the Registry.
| Key name | Description |
| MSTCP | TCP/IP protocol |
| NETBEUI | NetBEUI protocol |
| NWLINK | NWLink protocol |
| NWNBLINK | NWLink protocol with NetBIOS support |
| NWREDIR | Microsoft client for NetWare networks |
| REMOTEREG | Remote Registry Editing service |
| VREDIR | Client for Microsoft networks |
| VSERVER | File and Printer sharing for Microsoft networks |
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE
A little deceptive, the Hardware key only holds information for the HyperTerminal program, relative to the math co-processor and the serial ports. It appears that it would hold much more and be a major key, but all of the settings and specifics are in the Enum key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Network
This key holds information only about the primary network logon. The details of all the network services are held in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\Network key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SECURITY
This key is reserved for future use with higher security functions and compatibility
with
Windows NT.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
The settings for all installed 32-bit software and .INI files for applications are listed in this key. The items included vary, depending on the software installed. Control functions for those applications are listed in the many subkeys located here.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM
This key stores all information required for the system to start, and for the recovery of the system in case of failure. It includes the control sets describing the device drivers, their settings, and other services.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet
This subkey contains descriptions and controls for device drivers and other services. Unlike Windows NT, Windows 95 only holds information on the current control set of drivers. Control
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control
This subkey holds the information that is set in the Control Panel applets in Windows 95. Do not edit this information through the Registry editor because some applets make changes in more than one Registry location. A missing entry may cause the system to be unstable. The following list holds the subkeys under the Control key: ComputerName
FileSystem
IDConfigDB
InstalledFiles
Keyboard Layouts
MediaProperties
MediaResources
NetworkProvider
Nls
PerfStats
PwdProvider
SecurityProviders
ServiceProvider
Session Manager
Shutdown
TimeZoneInformation
Update
VMM32Files
WebPost
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
This key contains all the standard services that come with Windows 95, plus any that have been added through the installation of services or devices. Each standard service key contains configuration and identification settings.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Arbitrators
The arbitrators keys hold the information required to resolve conflicts between two devices when they are competing for the same settings. The four subkeys hold information about RAM address conflicts, DMA, I/O port conflicts, and IRQ conflicts.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class
The class key holds all the subkeys for control of all the classes of devices that Windows 95 supports. These are similar to the groupings of devices you see in the Add New Hardware wizard, and holds information as to how the devices will be installed.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\inetaccs
This key holds information about the various Internet Explorer accessories available in the system. It is only installed when you have installed Internet Explorer 2.0 or above.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSNP32
The MSNP32 key describes how the Client for Microsoft Networks is going to function. It holds information about the authentication process and the authenticator.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NWNP32
The NWNP32 key describes how the Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks is going to function. It holds information about the authentication process and the authenticator.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\RemoteAccess
Inside this key is the information required for Remote Access to work on the Windows 95 system. It includes authentication parameters, host information, and protocol information in order to create a dial-up environment that will work.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SNMP
This key holds all the parameters for SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). That includes the permitted managers, the trap configuration, and the valid communities.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD
The VxD key holds information on all the 32-bit virtual device drivers in Windows 95. Windows 95 automatically manages them, so there is no reason to edit them with a Registry editor. All the static VxDs are listed with a subkey under this key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WebPost
The WebPost key holds settings and pointers for all loaded Internet Mail post offices. If you connect to a service provider, and it is listed here, you will poll the server for any mail that is to be delivered to you.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock
Information about the Winsock file to be used when connecting to the Internet is listed in this key. If the incorrect file is listed, you will not be able to get onto the Internet. WinTrust
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinTrust
The WinTrust function is set in the Registry as part of the process of checking every file downloaded from the Internet for viruses. It will ensure you get only clean files.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE holds all the filename, file-location, and setting information for the entire system, and all its attached devices. It is updated by the Control Panel, by the installation of devices, and through utilities.
©Copyright, Macmillan Computer Publishing. All rights reserved.
