I repaired the boot.ini file...have yet to fire it up to test.
I did save the entire system32 folder prior to reinstalling windows, but stupid me, I forgot to save the loose files from the Windows folder. I was thinking about it, but it slipped my mind when I got involved in things. It's not too much trouble just to reinstall the inoperable progs as I need them...thus re-registering them. For whatever reason, the saved registry had no affect on kick starting things.
I'm an old hand at this stuff, so not to worry. But I was hoping for a registry de-compliler of sorts...you know, take the tree and then rewrite the registry from that. XP's indexing service does this to a degree but only for a limited use as I understand it. More of an annoyance than anything serious. I'm always looking for an easy way out...I have no problems with taking the long way home
...Al