No, don't jump to conclusions. All he has said is that he cannot access the registry. Perhaps he is simply logged on as a limited account? There are many problems that could arise based on access...

You are not a logged on as a computer administrator. You have no rights to access the registry.

Oh, I assumed that you were running XP professional.. home edition does not have this property. Try this:

1. Restart your computer in Safe Mode. To do this, follow these steps:
*...

give me a screen shot of what you are doing

No, don't right click any folders.. you simply go to My Computer- tools- folder options- view tab- scroll to the bottom and uncheck "Use simple File Sharing (recommended)"

Tools is located at the...

If you do not see this tab, you will have to edit some folder options: right-clickng the active partition, clicking the security tab, and clicking advanced.

My Computer- tools- folder options-...

right click- properties doesn't give you a security tab?

hmm, okay.. Try editing ownership properties by right-clickng the active partition, properties, clicking the security tab, and clicking...

Check chipset drivers.. I know I had to update my chipset drivers once before the hd installed correctly..

When you right-click the folder, what permissions does it list for you? Look and see who had full permissions.. You can change the ownership of everything (as long as you are an admin) by...

Yea, I use gparted often too..

I don't know what to suggest.. Are both hd SATA 3gb/s? Who is the manufacturer? Did you format the problematic hd using Windows? Check if it's drivers were...

Do you have administrator rights to these folders? Log on as the admin, and you should be able to give yourself access rights.