changing perms all keys breaks security patches from ms

"PaulFXH" <paul_hackett2@yahoo.com.br> wrote in message
news:1136467802.556823.144730@z14g2000cwz.googlegr oups.com...
> Hi everybody
> Today, I finally got to install SP2 on my WinXP OS (I use a Dell
> 2.53GHz/256MB RAM).
> But to get SP2 to install without repeated "access denied" errors it
> was necessary to run a small DOS file that changed the permission level
> on ALL of the registry keys.
> So my computer is totally up to date as far as OS updates are
> concerned. HOWEVER, my usb HDD (160 GB)is no longer accessible.
> The HDD switches ON when the machine is rebooted but turns itself OFF
> during the boot sequence (at exactly where it used to power ON before).
> On shut-down, it powers up briefly (exactly where it used to power down
> before) and then goes OFF again when the computer is completely shut
> down) This indicates to me that it is NOT a hardware nor a cable
> integrity problem.
> Rather, it seems to suggest that whatever registry keys are turning the
> HDD on and off have somehow become corrupted.
>
> Can anybody help me decipher this one?
> PaulFXH
>

Tom
Thanks for your comment.
Are you saying that I will have to re-install all of the recent patches
from MS?
Actually I have checked on Windows Update and on Belarc and neither
suggest that I am in need of re-installing any of my patches.
However, I really am a little apprehensive about leaving all of the
registry keys fully accessible but I have no idea how I should try to
remove permissions from those that don't need it and leave it as is on
those that do (other than doing it manually which would be quite a
mammoth task).
Any ideas?
Paul