~ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE for Windows NT~
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE is the handle key that represents the hives that control the system and software. It is independent of the user, and settings made are for all users who log on to the system. Figure A.1 shows the five main keys in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, three of which you have access to.
SAM (Security Accounts Manager) and SECURITY are part of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, but they are not available for modification by users in the Registry editors. The changes for SAM and
SECURITY are made through User Manager for Domains, Explorer, and File Manager.
All of the settings in this appendix appear in the following format.
Key Name
Full path=Handle Key\Keyname
Description, specific information, values
Second-Level Key Name
Full path=Handle Key\Keyname\Keyname
Description, specific information, values
Third-Level Key Name
Full path=Handle Key\Keyname\Keyname\Keyname
Description, specific information, values
Additional Level Key Names
Full path=Handle Key\Keyname\Keyname\Keyname\Keyname(\Keyname)
Description, specific information, values
Hardware
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE
This key holds all the keys, subkeys, and values to control all hardware devices with Windows NT. NT does not allow applications to control these devices directly, so the application must know all the information about each device. Also, NT only reads the BIOS information at startup, so that BIOS information must be loaded, too.
Description
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION
This key holds the descriptions for all the devices on the system. In the other parts of the Registry, the devices are listed by device names, driver names, or codes. All of the translations are listed in this key, making it easier for you to use and understand.
System
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System
This key holds specifications and information about the system board, system BIOS, and video BIOS, plus subkeys for the processors and bus controllers.
CentralProcessor
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\CentralProcessor
If your system has multiple processors, they are all listed as subkeys under this key. If your system has only one processor, it is listed as processor 0.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\CentralProcessor\0
This key holds information about the processor, including its manufacturer, description, and rated speed. (And no, you cannot boost the speed of the processor by changing the value!)
FloatingPointProcessor
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\FloatingPointProcessor
A floating-point processor is what is commonly known as a math co-processor. This key holds information regarding it.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\FloatingPointProcessor\0
Identification and configuration information about the floating-point processor is found in this key.
MultifunctionAdapter
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\MultifunctionAdapter
This key holds information about the BIOS-controlled adapters in the system.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\
MultifunctionAdapter\0 (PCI)
This key holds information for the configuration of the PCI bus. 32- and 64-bit PCI cards are plugged into this bus. BIOS-supported PCI devices are listed under this key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\
MultifunctionAdapter\1 (PNP BIOS)
This key holds the information for the Plug and Play BIOS. Currently, NT does not fully support Plug and Play devices, so no devices are listed under this key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\
MultifunctionAdapter\2 (ISA)
This key holds the information for the ISA (legacy) bus. 16- and 32-bit ISA and VESA cards are plugged into this bus and are listed under this key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\MultifunctionAdapter\
2\DiskController
This key holds the settings for the hard- and floppy-disk controllers.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\MultifunctionAdapter\
2\KeyboardController
This key holds the settings for the standard keyboard controller.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\MultifunctionAdapter\
2\ParallelController
This key holds the settings for the parallel port controller and installed parallel ports.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\MultifunctionAdapter\
2\PointerController
This key holds the settings for the mouse port controller.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\MultifunctionAdapter\
2\SerialController
This key holds the settings for the serial port controller and installed serial ports.