Create New RegistryKey

16 Aug 2006 11:45 PM

eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3)

Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. Here is my problem. I have a
program that will create a registry key, however it is not and here is the
code and also the error that follows:

Imports System.IO
Imports System.Text
Imports System.Security.Cryptography
Imports System.Net
Imports Microsoft.VisualBasic.Conversion
Imports System.Management
Imports Microsoft.Win32

Public Class License

    Private szRegKey As String
    Private szKeyValueName As String
    Private szDateValueName As String

    Public Property KeyValueName() As String
        Get
            Return szKeyValueName
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As String)
            szKeyValueName = value
        End Set
    End Property

    Public Property DateValueName() As String
        Get
            Return szDateValueName
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As String)
            szDateValueName = value
        End Set
    End Property

    Public Property RegKey() As String
        Get
            Return szRegKey
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As String)
            szRegKey = value
        End Set
    End Property

    Public Function CheckValidity(ByVal szRegMainKey As String, ByVal
szKeyBaseString As String, ByVal nHours As Integer) As Boolean
        Dim keyArray() As String
        Dim rKey As RegistryKey = Nothing
        Dim uB As Long
        Dim szMasterKey As String
        Dim i As Long
        Dim szKeyEnc As String
        Dim szKey As String
        Dim szDate As String
        Dim szDateEnc As String
        Dim szDateD As Date

        If szRegKey = "" Then Return False
        If szKeyValueName = "" Then Return False
        If szDateValueName = "" Then Return False

        keyArray = szRegKey.Split("\")
        uB = UBound(keyArray)
        szMasterKey = ""
        For i = 1 To uB
            szMasterKey = szMasterKey & keyArray(i) & "\"
        Next
        szMasterKey = szMasterKey.Substring(0, szMasterKey.Length - 1)

        Try
            Select Case keyArray(0)
                Case "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT"
                    rKey = Registry.ClassesRoot.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
                Case "HKEY_CURRENT_USER"
                    rKey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
                Case "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
                    rKey = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
                Case "HKEY_USERS"
                    rKey = Registry.Users.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
                Case "HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG"
                    rKey = Registry.CurrentConfig.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey,
True)
            End Select
        Catch ex As Exception
            Return False
        End Try
        szKeyEnc = rKey.GetValue(szKeyValueName).ToString()
        szDateEnc = rKey.GetValue(szDateValueName).ToString()
        rKey.Close()
        If szKeyEnc = "" Then Return False
        If szDateEnc = "" Then Return False

        szKey = DecryptKey(szKeyEnc)
        If szKey <> szKeyBaseString Then
            Return False
        End If

        szDate = DecryptKey(szDateEnc)
        If IsDate(szDate) = False Then Return False

        szDateD = Convert.ToDateTime(szDate)
        If DateDiff(DateInterval.Hour, szDateD, Now()) >= nHours Then
            Return False
        End If

        Return True

    End Function

    Public Function SaveKeyToRegistry(ByVal szKeyValue As String) As Boolean

        Dim keyArray() As String
        Dim rKey As RegistryKey = Nothing
        Dim uB As Long
        Dim szMasterKey As String
        Dim i As Long
        Dim szDate As String
        Dim szDateEnc As String

        If szRegKey = "" Then Return False
        If szKeyValueName = "" Then Return False
        If szDateValueName = "" Then Return False

        keyArray = szRegKey.Split("\")
        uB = UBound(keyArray)
        szMasterKey = ""
        For i = 1 To uB
            szMasterKey = szMasterKey & keyArray(i) & "\"
        Next
        szMasterKey = szMasterKey.Substring(0, szMasterKey.Length - 1)

        Try
            Select Case keyArray(0)
                Case "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT"
                    rKey = Registry.ClassesRoot.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
                Case "HKEY_CURRENT_USER"
                    rKey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
                Case "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
                    rKey = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
                Case "HKEY_USERS"
                    rKey = Registry.Users.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
                Case "HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG"
                    rKey = Registry.CurrentConfig.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey,
True)
            End Select
        Catch ex As Exception
            Return False
        End Try
        szDate = Day(Now) & "/" & Month(Now) & "/" & Year(Now) & " " &
Hour(Now) & ":" & Minute(Now)
        szDateEnc = GenerateKey(szDate)
        Try
            rKey.SetValue(szDateValueName, szDateEnc)
            rKey.SetValue(szKeyValueName, szKeyValue)
            rKey.Close()
        Catch ex As Exception
            rKey.Close()
            Return False
        End Try
        Return True

    End Function

    Public Function GenerateKey(Optional ByVal szBaseString As String = "")
As String
        Dim szOutput As String
        Dim sHex As String
        Dim sLen As Integer
        Dim i As Integer
        Dim nRet As String = ""

        If szBaseString = "" Then szBaseString = GetBiosID()
        szOutput = des.Encrypt(szBaseString)
        sLen = szOutput.Length
        For i = 0 To sLen - 1
            sHex = Convert.ToString(Hex(Asc(szOutput.Substring(i, 1))))
            If sHex.Length < 2 Then sHex = "0" & sHex
            nRet = nRet & sHex
        Next
        If nRet.EndsWith("3D3D") Then nRet = nRet.Substring(0, nRet.Length -
4)
        Return nRet
    End Function

    Public Function DecryptKey(ByVal szBaseString As String) As String

        Dim nRet As String = ""
        Dim sChar As String
        Dim sLen As Integer
        Dim i As Integer

        sLen = szBaseString.Length
        For i = 0 To sLen - 1 Step 2
            sChar = Chr("&H" & szBaseString.Substring(i, 2))
            nRet = nRet & sChar
        Next
        Return des.Decrypt(nRet)

    End Function

    Public Function GetBiosID() As String
        Dim searcher As Object = New ManagementObjectSearcher("SELECT * FROM
Win32_BIOS")
        Dim info As ManagementObject
        Dim nRet As String = ""

        For Each info In searcher.Get()
            nRet += info("manufacturer").ToString() &
info("serialnumber").ToString()
        Next
        Return nRet

    End Function

When I run this code in an application I get this:

System.NullReferenceException was unhandled
Message="Object reference not set to an instance of an object."
Source="LicenseLib"
StackTrace:
       at LicenseLib.License.SaveKeyToRegistry(String szKeyValue)
       at Sample_Ins.frmMain.InstallRegisterNewKey(String szClientName,
Boolean isMachineLinked, Int64 nHours) in
E:\LicenseCode\Sample_Ins\Sample_Ins\frmMain.vb:line 95
       at Sample_Ins.frmMain.btnSample_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in
E:\LicenseCode\Sample_Ins\Sample_Ins\frmMain.vb:line 50
       at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
       at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
       at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
       at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons
button, Int32 clicks)
       at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
       at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
       at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
       at
System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
       at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
       at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.DebuggableCallback(IntPtr hWnd,
Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)
       at System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.DispatchMessageW(MSG& msg)
       at
System.Windows.Forms.Application.ComponentManager.System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.IMsoComponentManager.FPushMessageLoop(Int32
dwComponentID, Int32 reason, Int32 pvLoopData)
       at
System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoopInner(Int32
reason, ApplicationContext context)
       at
System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoop(Int32 reason,
ApplicationContext context)
       at System.Windows.Forms.Application.Run(ApplicationContext context)
       at
Microsoft.VisualBasic.ApplicationServices.WindowsFormsApplicationBase.OnRun()
       at
Microsoft.VisualBasic.ApplicationServices.WindowsFormsApplicationBase.DoApplicationModel()
       at
Microsoft.VisualBasic.ApplicationServices.WindowsFormsApplicationBase.Run(String[] commandLine)
       at Sample_Ins.My.MyApplication.Main(String[] Args) in
17d14f5c-a337-4978-8281-53493378c1071.vb:line 81
       at System.AppDomain.nExecuteAssembly(Assembly assembly, String[] args)
       at System.AppDomain.ExecuteAssembly(String assemblyFile, Evidence
assemblySecurity, String[] args)
       at Microsoft.VisualStudio.HostingProcess.HostProc.RunUsersAssembly()
       at System.Threading.ThreadHelper.ThreadStart_Context(Object state)
       at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(ExecutionContext
executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state)
       at System.Threading.ThreadHelper.ThreadStart()

When I attempt to debug, I never even get a registry value created. HELP
PLEASE!

--
Michael Bragg,
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.

17 Aug 2006 6:18 AM

Cor Ligthert [MVP]

Hi,

Is it instead of showing us a complete program not better to show the part
where the creation of the registry key fails?

I think that you give us now to much data to let it be information.

Cor

Show quoteHide quote

"eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3)" <esoltec@noemail.nospam> schreef in bericht
news:17A2FFD6-0090-454F-946F-72EDCC836DE2@microsoft.com...
> Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. Here is my problem. I
> have a
> program that will create a registry key, however it is not and here is the
> code and also the error that follows:
>
> Imports System.IO
> Imports System.Text
> Imports System.Security.Cryptography
> Imports System.Net
> Imports Microsoft.VisualBasic.Conversion
> Imports System.Management
> Imports Microsoft.Win32
>
> Public Class License
>
>    Private szRegKey As String
>    Private szKeyValueName As String
>    Private szDateValueName As String
>
>    Public Property KeyValueName() As String
>        Get
>            Return szKeyValueName
>        End Get
>        Set(ByVal value As String)
>            szKeyValueName = value
>        End Set
>    End Property
>
>    Public Property DateValueName() As String
>        Get
>            Return szDateValueName
>        End Get
>        Set(ByVal value As String)
>            szDateValueName = value
>        End Set
>    End Property
>
>    Public Property RegKey() As String
>        Get
>            Return szRegKey
>        End Get
>        Set(ByVal value As String)
>            szRegKey = value
>        End Set
>    End Property
>
>    Public Function CheckValidity(ByVal szRegMainKey As String, ByVal
> szKeyBaseString As String, ByVal nHours As Integer) As Boolean
>        Dim keyArray() As String
>        Dim rKey As RegistryKey = Nothing
>        Dim uB As Long
>        Dim szMasterKey As String
>        Dim i As Long
>        Dim szKeyEnc As String
>        Dim szKey As String
>        Dim szDate As String
>        Dim szDateEnc As String
>        Dim szDateD As Date
>
>        If szRegKey = "" Then Return False
>        If szKeyValueName = "" Then Return False
>        If szDateValueName = "" Then Return False
>
>        keyArray = szRegKey.Split("\")
>        uB = UBound(keyArray)
>        szMasterKey = ""
>        For i = 1 To uB
>            szMasterKey = szMasterKey & keyArray(i) & "\"
>        Next
>        szMasterKey = szMasterKey.Substring(0, szMasterKey.Length - 1)
>
>        Try
>            Select Case keyArray(0)
>                Case "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT"
>                    rKey = Registry.ClassesRoot.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey,
> True)
>                Case "HKEY_CURRENT_USER"
>                    rKey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey,
> True)
>                Case "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
>                    rKey = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey,
> True)
>                Case "HKEY_USERS"
>                    rKey = Registry.Users.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
>                Case "HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG"
>                    rKey = Registry.CurrentConfig.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey,
> True)
>            End Select
>        Catch ex As Exception
>            Return False
>        End Try
>        szKeyEnc = rKey.GetValue(szKeyValueName).ToString()
>        szDateEnc = rKey.GetValue(szDateValueName).ToString()
>        rKey.Close()
>        If szKeyEnc = "" Then Return False
>        If szDateEnc = "" Then Return False
>
>        szKey = DecryptKey(szKeyEnc)
>        If szKey <> szKeyBaseString Then
>            Return False
>        End If
>
>        szDate = DecryptKey(szDateEnc)
>        If IsDate(szDate) = False Then Return False
>
>        szDateD = Convert.ToDateTime(szDate)
>        If DateDiff(DateInterval.Hour, szDateD, Now()) >= nHours Then
>            Return False
>        End If
>
>        Return True
>
>    End Function
>
>    Public Function SaveKeyToRegistry(ByVal szKeyValue As String) As
> Boolean
>
>        Dim keyArray() As String
>        Dim rKey As RegistryKey = Nothing
>        Dim uB As Long
>        Dim szMasterKey As String
>        Dim i As Long
>        Dim szDate As String
>        Dim szDateEnc As String
>
>        If szRegKey = "" Then Return False
>        If szKeyValueName = "" Then Return False
>        If szDateValueName = "" Then Return False
>
>        keyArray = szRegKey.Split("\")
>        uB = UBound(keyArray)
>        szMasterKey = ""
>        For i = 1 To uB
>            szMasterKey = szMasterKey & keyArray(i) & "\"
>        Next
>        szMasterKey = szMasterKey.Substring(0, szMasterKey.Length - 1)
>
>        Try
>            Select Case keyArray(0)
>                Case "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT"
>                    rKey = Registry.ClassesRoot.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey,
> True)
>                Case "HKEY_CURRENT_USER"
>                    rKey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey,
> True)
>                Case "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
>                    rKey = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey,
> True)
>                Case "HKEY_USERS"
>                    rKey = Registry.Users.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
>                Case "HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG"
>                    rKey = Registry.CurrentConfig.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey,
> True)
>            End Select
>        Catch ex As Exception
>            Return False
>        End Try
>        szDate = Day(Now) & "/" & Month(Now) & "/" & Year(Now) & " " &
> Hour(Now) & ":" & Minute(Now)
>        szDateEnc = GenerateKey(szDate)
>        Try
>            rKey.SetValue(szDateValueName, szDateEnc)
>            rKey.SetValue(szKeyValueName, szKeyValue)
>            rKey.Close()
>        Catch ex As Exception
>            rKey.Close()
>            Return False
>        End Try
>        Return True
>
>    End Function
>
>    Public Function GenerateKey(Optional ByVal szBaseString As String = "")
> As String
>        Dim szOutput As String
>        Dim sHex As String
>        Dim sLen As Integer
>        Dim i As Integer
>        Dim nRet As String = ""
>
>        If szBaseString = "" Then szBaseString = GetBiosID()
>        szOutput = des.Encrypt(szBaseString)
>        sLen = szOutput.Length
>        For i = 0 To sLen - 1
>            sHex = Convert.ToString(Hex(Asc(szOutput.Substring(i, 1))))
>            If sHex.Length < 2 Then sHex = "0" & sHex
>            nRet = nRet & sHex
>        Next
>        If nRet.EndsWith("3D3D") Then nRet = nRet.Substring(0,
> nRet.Length -
> 4)
>        Return nRet
>    End Function
>
>    Public Function DecryptKey(ByVal szBaseString As String) As String
>
>        Dim nRet As String = ""
>        Dim sChar As String
>        Dim sLen As Integer
>        Dim i As Integer
>
>        sLen = szBaseString.Length
>        For i = 0 To sLen - 1 Step 2
>            sChar = Chr("&H" & szBaseString.Substring(i, 2))
>            nRet = nRet & sChar
>        Next
>        Return des.Decrypt(nRet)
>
>    End Function
>
>    Public Function GetBiosID() As String
>        Dim searcher As Object = New ManagementObjectSearcher("SELECT *
> FROM
> Win32_BIOS")
>        Dim info As ManagementObject
>        Dim nRet As String = ""
>
>        For Each info In searcher.Get()
>            nRet += info("manufacturer").ToString() &
> info("serialnumber").ToString()
>        Next
>        Return nRet
>
>    End Function
>
> When I run this code in an application I get this:
>
> System.NullReferenceException was unhandled
> Message="Object reference not set to an instance of an object."
> Source="LicenseLib"
> StackTrace:
>       at LicenseLib.License.SaveKeyToRegistry(String szKeyValue)
>       at Sample_Ins.frmMain.InstallRegisterNewKey(String szClientName,
> Boolean isMachineLinked, Int64 nHours) in
> E:\LicenseCode\Sample_Ins\Sample_Ins\frmMain.vb:line 95
>       at Sample_Ins.frmMain.btnSample_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in
> E:\LicenseCode\Sample_Ins\Sample_Ins\frmMain.vb:line 50
>       at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
>       at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
>       at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
>       at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons
> button, Int32 clicks)
>       at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
>       at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
>       at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
>       at
> System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
>       at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message&
> m)
>       at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.DebuggableCallback(IntPtr hWnd,
> Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)
>       at System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.DispatchMessageW(MSG&
> msg)
>       at
> System.Windows.Forms.Application.ComponentManager.System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.IMsoComponentManager.FPushMessageLoop(Int32
> dwComponentID, Int32 reason, Int32 pvLoopData)
>       at
> System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoopInner(Int32
> reason, ApplicationContext context)
>       at
> System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoop(Int32
> reason,
> ApplicationContext context)
>       at System.Windows.Forms.Application.Run(ApplicationContext context)
>       at
> Microsoft.VisualBasic.ApplicationServices.WindowsFormsApplicationBase.OnRun()
>       at
> Microsoft.VisualBasic.ApplicationServices.WindowsFormsApplicationBase.DoApplicationModel()
>       at
> Microsoft.VisualBasic.ApplicationServices.WindowsFormsApplicationBase.Run(String[]
> commandLine)
>       at Sample_Ins.My.MyApplication.Main(String[] Args) in
> 17d14f5c-a337-4978-8281-53493378c1071.vb:line 81
>       at System.AppDomain.nExecuteAssembly(Assembly assembly, String[]
> args)
>       at System.AppDomain.ExecuteAssembly(String assemblyFile, Evidence
> assemblySecurity, String[] args)
>       at Microsoft.VisualStudio.HostingProcess.HostProc.RunUsersAssembly()
>       at System.Threading.ThreadHelper.ThreadStart_Context(Object state)
>       at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(ExecutionContext
> executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state)
>       at System.Threading.ThreadHelper.ThreadStart()
>
> When I attempt to debug, I never even get a registry value created. HELP
> PLEASE!
> --
> Michael Bragg,
> MS Authorized MAR
> looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.

17 Aug 2006 6:47 AM

Walter Wang [MSFT]

Hi Michael,

The exception is a common one, for example, following code will throw
System.NullReferenceException:

Dim s as String
s.ToLower()

it's because s is not initialized yet.

Without actual working code, there's many possibilities that your code may
throw the exception. Therefore if you could provide a more complete code
listing, we can help you diagnose which statement is causing the exception.

During debugging, the debugger should help you locate the statement that is
causing this exception, how are you currently debugging the application?

Sincerely,
Walter Wang (waw***@online.microsoft.com, remove 'online.')
Microsoft Online Community Support

==================================================
Get notification to my posts through email? Please refer to
http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/managednewsgroups/default.aspx#notif
ications.

Note: The MSDN Managed Newsgroup support offering is for non-urgent issues
where an initial response from the community or a Microsoft Support
Engineer within 1 business day is acceptable. Please note that each follow
up response may take approximately 2 business days as the support
professional working with you may need further investigation to reach the
most efficient resolution. The offering is not appropriate for situations
that require urgent, real-time or phone-based interactions or complex
project analysis and dump analysis issues. Issues of this nature are best
handled working with a dedicated Microsoft Support Engineer by contacting
Microsoft Customer Support Services (CSS) at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/support/default.aspx.
==================================================

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

17 Aug 2006 1:06 PM

eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3)

I'm confused! I post the code block Project in my post and I'm asked to post
a more complete post in one response and in the previous response I'm told
posting the entire project is "TOO MUCH" code. Come on, please make up my
mind. I posted the entire project for the .dll and all of the exception that
is being thrown. I just want to get my project working and get on to the next
project.

The code that I posted is the code used to create or modify the registry.
Using RegMon from Systernals, I'm not seeing any attempt to even access the
registry with a create or modify. The program does however post the data to
the SQL Server database. I would also like the information stored on the
local machine, since that way it should reduce bandwidth to and from the
server.

_____________________________________________________________
Here is the code block where the registry creation fails:

            'check if we succeed to register this new key for this client
            'and this application on the our remote server
            nRet = wsl.RegisterKey(szClientName, szBaseString, szEncKey,
szAppName, nHours)
            If nRet = 0 Then ' success, new registration key as registered
on the remote server
                'register the key locally

>>>>>> lic.SaveKeyToRegistry(szEncKey)
___________________________________________________________________

lic.SaveKeyToRegistry(szEncKey)

** NullReferenceException was unhandled
   Use the "new" keyword to create an object instance.
   Check to dertermine if the object is null before calling the method.
   Get general help for this exception

(szEncKey) is populated with the generated registry data

Upon viewing the Detail, the LicenseLib Project is the culprid and that is
what I posted in my original post.

Michael Bragg,
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.

17 Aug 2006 2:02 PM

Walter Wang [MSFT]

Hi Michael,

From the stack trace of the exception, the exception is thrown from the
function SaveKeyToRegistry. After going through the code of this function,
I do find some problem in the code:

    Try
        Select Case keyArray(0)
            Case "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT"
                rKey = Registry.ClassesRoot.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
            Case "HKEY_CURRENT_USER"
                rKey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
            Case "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
                rKey = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
            Case "HKEY_USERS"
                rKey = Registry.Users.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
            Case "HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG"
                rKey = Registry.CurrentConfig.OpenSubKey(szMasterKey, True)
        End Select
    Catch ex As Exception
        Return False
    End Try

From the documentation of RegistryKey.OpenSubKey:

    Rather than throwing an exception, a null reference (Nothing in Visual
    Basic) is returned if the requested key does not exist.

This means a non-existing subkey will not raise exception, instead, a null
reference is returned. Therefore your Try-Catch block will not return False
as intended. You need to also check for the rKey value after the Try-Catch
block:

    If rKey is Nothing Then Return False

Since I don't have a complete working project for your code, this is my
guess. If it's not the case, would you please take some time to create a
repro project and send it to me? Thanks.

By the way, you can easily add the LicenseLib project to your solution and
reference the project instead of compiled assembly, this way when the
exception is thrown, the debugger will locate the offending code.

Regards,
Walter Wang (waw***@online.microsoft.com, remove 'online.')
Microsoft Online Community Support

==================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
==================================================

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.