asked on

Accessing User's registry using ASP.

I would like to find out how can i use ASP to access User's registry files, and execute a command.

Objective:
Automating the process of finding out the directory of the installed program, and then copying a file over to the directory.

Waiting for ur valuable answer.
Cheers mate!

clockwatcher

ASP is server-side. You'll need something client-side (an ActiveX control or an applet utilizing JNI). Either of which would have to be signed.

AzraSound

you could use wsh in your client-side script...but again, an activex solution

manikantan

Hi Open vb ...

Select activeX control Project and Project add a Bas module and Paste the code there
Type FILETIME
lLowDateTime As Long
lHighDateTime As Long
End Type

Declare Function RegOpenKeyEx Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "RegOpenKeyExA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpSubKey As String, ByVal ulOptions As Long, ByVal samDesired As Long, phkResult As Long) As Long
Declare Function RegCloseKey Lib "advapi32.dll" (ByVal hKey As Long) As Long
Declare Function RegCreateKey Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "RegCreateKeyA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpSubKey As String, phkResult As Long) As Long
Declare Function RegDeleteKey Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "RegDeleteKeyA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpSubKey As String) As Long
Declare Function RegQueryValueEx Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "RegQueryValueExA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpValueName As String, ByVal lpReserved As Long, lpType As Long, ByVal lpData As String, lpcbData As Long) As Long
Declare Function RegQueryValueExA Lib "advapi32.dll" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpValueName As String, ByVal lpReserved As Long, lpType As Long, ByRef lpData As Long, lpcbData As Long) As Long
Declare Function RegSetValueEx Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "RegSetValueExA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpValueName As String, ByVal Reserved As Long, ByVal dwType As Long, ByVal lpData As String, ByVal cbData As Long) As Long
Declare Function RegSetValueExA Lib "advapi32.dll" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpValueName As String, ByVal Reserved As Long, ByVal dwType As Long, ByRef lpData As Long, ByVal cbData As Long) As Long
Declare Function RegSetValueExB Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "RegSetValueExA" (ByVal hKey As Long, ByVal lpValueName As String, ByVal Reserved As Long, ByVal dwType As Long, ByRef lpData As Byte, ByVal cbData As Long) As Long

Const ERROR_SUCCESS = 0&
Const ERROR_BADDB = 1009&
Const ERROR_BADKEY = 1010&
Const ERROR_CANTOPEN = 1011&
Const ERROR_CANTREAD = 1012&
Const ERROR_CANTWRITE = 1013&
Const ERROR_OUTOFMEMORY = 14&
Const ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER = 87&
Const ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED = 5&
Const ERROR_NO_MORE_ITEMS = 259&
Const ERROR_MORE_DATA = 234&

Const REG_NONE = 0&
Const REG_SZ = 1&
Const REG_EXPAND_SZ = 2&
Const REG_BINARY = 3&
Const REG_DWORD = 4&
Const REG_DWORD_LITTLE_ENDIAN = 4&
Const REG_DWORD_BIG_ENDIAN = 5&
Const REG_LINK = 6&
Const REG_MULTI_SZ = 7&
Const REG_RESOURCE_LIST = 8&
Const REG_FULL_RESOURCE_DESCRIPTOR = 9&
Const REG_RESOURCE_REQUIREMENTS_LIST = 10&

Const KEY_QUERY_VALUE = &H1&
Const KEY_SET_VALUE = &H2&
Const KEY_CREATE_SUB_KEY = &H4&
Const KEY_ENUMERATE_SUB_KEYS = &H8&
Const KEY_NOTIFY = &H10&
Const KEY_CREATE_LINK = &H20&
Const READ_CONTROL = &H20000
Const WRITE_DAC = &H40000
Const WRITE_OWNER = &H80000
Const SYNCHRONIZE = &H100000
Const STANDARD_RIGHTS_REQUIRED = &HF0000
Const STANDARD_RIGHTS_READ = READ_CONTROL
Const STANDARD_RIGHTS_WRITE = READ_CONTROL
Const STANDARD_RIGHTS_EXECUTE = READ_CONTROL
Const KEY_READ = STANDARD_RIGHTS_READ Or KEY_QUERY_VALUE Or KEY_ENUMERATE_SUB_KEYS Or KEY_NOTIFY
Const KEY_WRITE = STANDARD_RIGHTS_WRITE Or KEY_SET_VALUE Or KEY_CREATE_SUB_KEY
Const KEY_EXECUTE = KEY_READ

Dim hKey As Long, MainKeyHandle As Long
Dim rtn As Long, lBuffer As Long, sBuffer As String
Dim lBufferSize As Long
Dim lDataSize As Long
Dim ByteArray() As Byte

'This constant determins wether or not to display error messages to the
'user. I have set the default value to False as an error message can and
'does become irritating after a while. Turn this value to true if you want
'to debug your programming code when reading and writing to your system
'registry, as any errors will be displayed in a message box.

Const DisplayErrorMsg = False

Function SetDWORDValue(SubKey As String, Entry As String, Value As Long)

Call ParseKey(SubKey, MainKeyHandle)

If MainKeyHandle Then
rtn = RegOpenKeyEx(MainKeyHandle, SubKey, 0, KEY_WRITE, hKey) 'open the key
If rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if the key was open successfully then
rtn = RegSetValueExA(hKey, Entry, 0, REG_DWORD, Value, 4) 'write the value
If Not rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if there was an error writting the value
If DisplayErrorMsg = True Then 'if the user want errors displayed
MsgBox ErrorMsg(rtn) 'display the error
End If
End If
rtn = RegCloseKey(hKey) 'close the key
Else 'if there was an error opening the key
If DisplayErrorMsg = True Then 'if the user want errors displayed
MsgBox ErrorMsg(rtn) 'display the error
End If
End If
End If

End Function
Function GetDWORDValue(SubKey As String, Entry As String)

Call ParseKey(SubKey, MainKeyHandle)

If MainKeyHandle Then
rtn = RegOpenKeyEx(MainKeyHandle, SubKey, 0, KEY_READ, hKey) 'open the key
If rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if the key could be opened then
rtn = RegQueryValueExA(hKey, Entry, 0, REG_DWORD, lBuffer, 4) 'get the value from the registry
If rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if the value could be retreived then
rtn = RegCloseKey(hKey) 'close the key
GetDWORDValue = lBuffer 'return the value
Else 'otherwise, if the value couldnt be retreived
GetDWORDValue = "Error" 'return Error to the user
If DisplayErrorMsg = True Then 'if the user wants errors displayed
MsgBox ErrorMsg(rtn) 'tell the user what was wrong
End If
End If
Else 'otherwise, if the key couldnt be opened
GetDWORDValue = "Error" 'return Error to the user
If DisplayErrorMsg = True Then 'if the user wants errors displayed
MsgBox ErrorMsg(rtn) 'tell the user what was wrong
End If
End If
End If

End Function
Function SetBinaryValue(SubKey As String, Entry As String, Value As String)

Call ParseKey(SubKey, MainKeyHandle)

If MainKeyHandle Then
rtn = RegOpenKeyEx(MainKeyHandle, SubKey, 0, KEY_WRITE, hKey) 'open the key
If rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if the key was open successfully then
lDataSize = Len(Value)
ReDim ByteArray(lDataSize)
For i = 1 To lDataSize
ByteArray(i) = Asc(Mid$(Value, i, 1))
Next
rtn = RegSetValueExB(hKey, Entry, 0, REG_BINARY, ByteArray(1), lDataSize) 'write the value
If Not rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if the was an error writting the value
If DisplayErrorMsg = True Then 'if the user want errors displayed
MsgBox ErrorMsg(rtn) 'display the error
End If
End If
rtn = RegCloseKey(hKey) 'close the key
Else 'if there was an error opening the key
If DisplayErrorMsg = True Then 'if the user wants errors displayed
MsgBox ErrorMsg(rtn) 'display the error
End If
End If
End If

End Function

Function GetBinaryValue(SubKey As String, Entry As String)

Call ParseKey(SubKey, MainKeyHandle)

If MainKeyHandle Then
rtn = RegOpenKeyEx(MainKeyHandle, SubKey, 0, KEY_READ, hKey) 'open the key
If rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if the key could be opened
lBufferSize = 1
rtn = RegQueryValueEx(hKey, Entry, 0, REG_BINARY, 0, lBufferSize) 'get the value from the registry
sBuffer = Space(lBufferSize)
rtn = RegQueryValueEx(hKey, Entry, 0, REG_BINARY, sBuffer, lBufferSize) 'get the value from the registry
If rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if the value could be retreived then
rtn = RegCloseKey(hKey) 'close the key
GetBinaryValue = sBuffer 'return the value to the user
Else 'otherwise, if the value couldnt be retreived
GetBinaryValue = "Error" 'return Error to the user
If DisplayErrorMsg = True Then 'if the user wants to errors displayed
MsgBox ErrorMsg(rtn) 'display the error to the user
End If
End If
Else 'otherwise, if the key couldnt be opened
GetBinaryValue = "Error" 'return Error to the user
If DisplayErrorMsg = True Then 'if the user wants to errors displayed
MsgBox ErrorMsg(rtn) 'display the error to the user
End If
End If
End If

End Function
Function DeleteKey(Keyname As String)

Call ParseKey(Keyname, MainKeyHandle)

If MainKeyHandle Then
rtn = RegOpenKeyEx(MainKeyHandle, Keyname, 0, KEY_WRITE, hKey) 'open the key
If rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if the key could be opened then
rtn = RegDeleteKey(hKey, Keyname) 'delete the key
rtn = RegCloseKey(hKey) 'close the key
End If
End If

End Function

Function GetMainKeyHandle(MainKeyName As String) As Long

Const HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT = &H80000000
Const HKEY_CURRENT_USER = &H80000001
Const HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE = &H80000002
Const HKEY_USERS = &H80000003
Const HKEY_PERFORMANCE_DATA = &H80000004
Const HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG = &H80000005
Const HKEY_DYN_DATA = &H80000006

Select Case MainKeyName
Case "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT"
GetMainKeyHandle = HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Case "HKEY_CURRENT_USER"
GetMainKeyHandle = HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Case "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
GetMainKeyHandle = HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Case "HKEY_USERS"
GetMainKeyHandle = HKEY_USERS
Case "HKEY_PERFORMANCE_DATA"
GetMainKeyHandle = HKEY_PERFORMANCE_DATA
Case "HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG"
GetMainKeyHandle = HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
Case "HKEY_DYN_DATA"
GetMainKeyHandle = HKEY_DYN_DATA
End Select

End Function

Function ErrorMsg(lErrorCode As Long) As String

'If an error does accurr, and the user wants error messages displayed, then
'display one of the following error messages

Select Case lErrorCode
Case 1009, 1015
GetErrorMsg = "The Registry Database is corrupt!"
Case 2, 1010
GetErrorMsg = "Bad Key Name"
Case 1011
GetErrorMsg = "Can't Open Key"
Case 4, 1012
GetErrorMsg = "Can't Read Key"
Case 5
GetErrorMsg = "Access to this key is denied"
Case 1013
GetErrorMsg = "Can't Write Key"
Case 8, 14
GetErrorMsg = "Out of memory"
Case 87
GetErrorMsg = "Invalid Parameter"
Case 234
GetErrorMsg = "There is more data than the buffer has been allocated to hold."
Case Else
GetErrorMsg = "Undefined Error Code: " & Str$(lErrorCode)
End Select

End Function

Function GetStringValue(SubKey As String, Entry As String)

Call ParseKey(SubKey, MainKeyHandle)

If MainKeyHandle Then
rtn = RegOpenKeyEx(MainKeyHandle, SubKey, 0, KEY_READ, hKey) 'open the key
If rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if the key could be opened then
sBuffer = Space(255) 'make a buffer
lBufferSize = Len(sBuffer)
rtn = RegQueryValueEx(hKey, Entry, 0, REG_SZ, sBuffer, lBufferSize) 'get the value from the registry
If rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if the value could be retreived then
rtn = RegCloseKey(hKey) 'close the key
sBuffer = Trim(sBuffer)
GetStringValue = Left(sBuffer, Len(sBuffer) - 1) 'return the value to the user
Else 'otherwise, if the value couldnt be retreived
GetStringValue = "Error" 'return Error to the user
If DisplayErrorMsg = True Then 'if the user wants errors displayed then
MsgBox ErrorMsg(rtn) 'tell the user what was wrong
End If
End If
Else 'otherwise, if the key couldnt be opened
GetStringValue = "Error" 'return Error to the user
If DisplayErrorMsg = True Then 'if the user wants errors displayed then
MsgBox ErrorMsg(rtn) 'tell the user what was wrong
End If
End If
End If

End Function

Private Sub ParseKey(Keyname As String, Keyhandle As Long)

rtn = InStr(Keyname, "\") 'return if "\" is contained in the Keyname

If Left(Keyname, 5) <> "HKEY_" Or Right(Keyname, 1) = "\" Then 'if the is a "\" at the end of the Keyname then
MsgBox "Incorrect Format:" + Chr(10) + Chr(10) + Keyname 'display error to the user
Exit Sub 'exit the procedure
ElseIf rtn = 0 Then 'if the Keyname contains no "\"
Keyhandle = GetMainKeyHandle(Keyname)
Keyname = "" 'leave Keyname blank
Else 'otherwise, Keyname contains "\"
Keyhandle = GetMainKeyHandle(Left(Keyname, rtn - 1)) 'seperate the Keyname
Keyname = Right(Keyname, Len(Keyname) - rtn)
End If

End Sub
Function CreateKey(SubKey As String)

Call ParseKey(SubKey, MainKeyHandle)

If MainKeyHandle Then
rtn = RegCreateKey(MainKeyHandle, SubKey, hKey) 'create the key
If rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if the key was created then
rtn = RegCloseKey(hKey) 'close the key
End If
End If

End Function
Function SetStringValue(SubKey As String, Entry As String, Value As String)

Call ParseKey(SubKey, MainKeyHandle)

If MainKeyHandle Then
rtn = RegOpenKeyEx(MainKeyHandle, SubKey, 0, KEY_WRITE, hKey) 'open the key
If rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if the key was open successfully then
rtn = RegSetValueEx(hKey, Entry, 0, REG_SZ, ByVal Value, Len(Value)) 'write the value
If Not rtn = ERROR_SUCCESS Then 'if there was an error writting the value
If DisplayErrorMsg = True Then 'if the user wants errors displayed
MsgBox ErrorMsg(rtn) 'display the error
End If
End If
rtn = RegCloseKey(hKey) 'close the key
Else 'if there was an error opening the key
If DisplayErrorMsg = True Then 'if the user wants errors displayed
MsgBox ErrorMsg(rtn) 'display the error
End If
End If
End If

End Function

Now With the Above U can do any kind of work with the registry ..so In the user control addd

Private Sub UserControl_Initialize()
SetStringValue "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE", "String Value", "Hello Visual Basic programmer"
end sub

and pack them as an ocx control and use
<object> tag in the html to embed this Control..

Now this control will download when a client requests for a page...Then after Download This control will modify the Registry in the client's Machine..

This is the only way..Ie U should use Activex Control and will work only in IE..

Regards
Manikantan

robbert

Probably, it's too late, but I would go the reverse way - adding the option "Update over the Internet" to the installed application.

simonet

following...

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

webwoman

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simonet

I agree with webwoman 100%.

Not to mention that it may not work at all in cases where the user is running NT and doesn't have the appropriate privileges.

Alex

webwoman

Or running Netscape... which doesn't support ActiveX controls.

ndtch

ASKER

Clients are all Windows 9x, and they don't have access to the registry or C:\.

I'm not trying to manipulate with the registry, just merely checking the file location and "put" the file over to the directory location.

i'll look into manikantan's option.

Thanks!

Asta Cu

Perhaps you have overlooked this item, since it is very old, you've been provided possibilities but
the question remains open as of today.

Please accept the comment of the expert who helped you resolve this as the accepted answer to then grade
and close, or post additional requirements with an update if more is needed.

Thank you,
Asta

P.S. I've noticed that the sort order in terms of date and time comments were posted is incorrect, and have advised Engineering of this, so you'll need to manually scroll the comments to determine who may have provided you the helpful guidance first.

Moondancer

It's time to clean up this topic area and that means taking care of this question. Your options at this point are:

1. Award points to the Expert who provided an answer, or who helped you most. Do this by clicking on the "Accept Comment as Answer" button that lies above and to the right of the appropriate expert's name.

2. PAQ the question because the information might be useful to others, but was not useful to you. To use this option, you must state why the question is no longer useful to you, and the experts need to let me know if they feel that you're being unfair.

3. Delete the question because it is of no value to you or to anyone else. To use this option, you must state why the question is no longer useful to you, and the experts need to let me know if they feel that you're being unfair.

If you elect for option 2 or 3, all you need to do is post right here as a comment, and I will take care of the rest. We also request that you review any other open questions you might have and deal with them as necessary.

PLEASE DO NOT AWARD THE POINTS TO ME.

____________________________________________

Hi Experts:

In the event that the Asker does not respond, I would very much appreciate your opinions as to which Expert ought to receive points (if any) as a result of this question. Likewise, you can also suggest that I PAQ or delete the question.

Experts, please do not add further "answer" information to this question. I will be back in about one week to finalize this question.

Thank you everyone.

Moondancer

Community Support Moderator @ Experts Exchange

P.S. Old question do not properly reflect the comment date/time sort order, Engineering has been advised. Just want to bring this to your attention.

bruno

Hello,

This question has been open for quite a while now and needs to be wrapped up.

Please do NOT accept this comment as an answer, as I am simply trying to alert those involved that the question is still open.

If any of the experts could come back and post any suggestions as to how they feel this could be wrapped up (delete, 0 PAQ, award points, etc), I'm sure the moderators would appreciate it.

Thank you,

BRUNO

Moondancer

ZERO RESPONSE TO PRIOR FOLLOW UP REQUESTS BY THE ASKER OF THIS QUESTION.

This question has been finalized by an expert-exchange moderator; and long past due.

Your help with these abandoned questions is appreciated, brunobear.

:)
Moondancer - EE Moderator