Detailed description:
1. Start NTFS4Dos
If you start NTFS4Dos from the Ultimate BootCD (~115 MB download will require CD) you will find it in Filesystem Tools - NTFS Tools
Once started you will be required to enter "yes" to confirm that you use it for personal use only.
NTFS4Dos is owned by Avira and can also be downloaded from Aviras (~1.2 MB download, will require floppy disk)website.
2. Copy and Backup of Software registry key
What you need to do here is to backup the current software registry key and copy the backup software registry key.
Enter the lines in code according to your OS.
Windows XP:
Code:
cd c:\Windows\system32\config
This will "open" the directory.
Code:
rename software software.bak
(enter)
Rename the file in order to protect your old registry.
(enter)
Check if there is actually a file called "software.bak". The command above should show you all the files in the directory. If not repeat the rename command line again.
Code:
copy c:\Windows\repair\software software
(enter)
This will copy the default registry file in your current registry.
3. reboot and shut down properly
At this point it is possible to get a proper login for Windows again. But since the Software key has been replaced by an old version most software is not properly registered anymore. If the latter does not matter to you, you may stop here otherwise follow the next steps.
You will need to properly shut down Windows, to make sure that the dirty flag is not set again. A safe way to ensure this, is to boot into safe mode twice and shut down using Windows functions namely "restart".