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# NT Err Msg: There Is an Error in Modifying the Database

Article ID: 103844

Article Last Modified on 4/12/2004

APPLIES TO

- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1

This article was previously published under Q103844

## SYMPTOMS

When Microsoft Windows NT is installed over an existing version of Windows version 3.1 or Windows for Workgroups version 3.1, running Registration Info Editor (REGEDIT.EXE) fails to function. It produces the following error message:
There is an error in modifying the database. The registration database may be corrupted.

## CAUSE

Registration Info Editor for Windows NT tries and fails to extract values from the existing Windows or Windows for Workgroups registry editor and returns an error message.
The above error message occurs whether or not you choose to migrate groups or .INI settings. Registration Info Editor seems to work properly when Windows NT is installed in a different directory. The choice of file system does not have any effect on this error produced by Registration Info Editor.

## WORKAROUND

To work around this problem you can perform one of the following steps:

- Start REGEDIT.EXE with the /V switch.
- Rename all the REG.DAT files. New REG.DAT files are created the next time you start REGEDIT.

## STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.1. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: wfw wfwg prodnt regedit

Keywords: kbsetup KB103844