Error Message: Unable to Save to Registry. Error Code 1243516.

ID: Q184009

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to save a copy of your registry using the System Policy Editor tool, you may receive the following error message:

Unable to save to registry. Error code 1243516.


CAUSE

This error message can occur if the Administrator account does not have full control permissions for one or more registry keys.


RESOLUTION

You may be able to resolve this problem by restoring the affected registry file. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Start your computer using the Windows NT Setup floppy disks.


  2. In the Windows NT Workstation Setup screen, press R (to repair).


  3. Clear all check boxes except for the Inspect Registry Files check box. To clear a check box, select it, and then press ENTER.


  4. Select Continue (Perform Selected Tasks), and then press ENTER.


  5. When you are prompted to select the registry files to repair, select the System (System Configuration) check box, and then press ENTER to add a check mark.


  6. Select Continue (Perform Selected Tasks), press ENTER, and then follow the instructions on your screen.

    NOTE: If your computer contains hardware that requires third-party drivers, you may have to install the drivers again. Also, you may have to reconfigure the settings for some hardware.


  7. Restart your computer, and then try to save your registry again using the System Policy Editor tool.


If you receive the same error message, the Software or Security registry file may be causing the problem. To determine if this is the case, repeat the steps, and select the Software (Software Information) check box in step 5. If you still receive the error message when you try to save your registry, repeat the steps, and select the "Security (Security Policy) and SAM (User Accounts Database)" check box in step 5.

NOTE: If you select the Software registry file, you may have to install some software again. If you select the Security registry file, you must re-create all user accounts.


MORE INFORMATION

These steps are intended to provide a way to restore the necessary permissions for affected registry keys. If you attempt to change the security permissions for the registry keys using Registry Editor, the problem still occurs. Using the steps in this article can prevent having to reinstall Windows NT.

For additional information about using Windows NT Setup floppy disks, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: Q131735
TITLE : How to Create Windows NT Boot Floppy Disks

Additional query words: erd

Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg ntregistry NTSrvWkst ntutil
Version : WINNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: February 5, 1999
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