Can't save changes to registry permissions

I get an error upon installation of programs that the program can't
write changes to registry keys. "Error: Could not write value
EventMessageFile to key. \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\... Verify
that you have sufficient access to that key or contact your support
personnel"

In order to confirm this, I've gone to the registry key and tried to
edit the permissions, adding a specific user as Full Control, or taking
ownership. Any change to the registry gets the following error:

"Unable to save permission changes on [registry key]
Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service."

I've tried this logged in as the only user account, which is an
Administrator account, and also logged in to safe mode as
Administrator. I've tried to stop it from inheriting permissions, but
that won't save either. I have run the updates for Windows, this is
Windows XP Home.

I can't install programs without being able to edit the registry.
SYSTEM has Full Control on the registry keys in question, though it
seems I can't edit any registry keys' permissions. This machine has
512MB of RAM and plenty of hard drive space. I appreciate any input.


Thanks,
tslugmo

bump

tslugmo RemoveThis @gmail.com wrote:
> I get an error upon installation of programs that the program can't
> write changes to registry keys. "Error: Could not write value
> EventMessageFile to key. \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\... Verify
> that you have sufficient access to that key or contact your support
> personnel"
>
> In order to confirm this, I've gone to the registry key and tried to
> edit the permissions, adding a specific user as Full Control, or taking
> ownership. Any change to the registry gets the following error:
>
> "Unable to save permission changes on [registry key]
> Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service."
>
> I've tried this logged in as the only user account, which is an
> Administrator account, and also logged in to safe mode as
> Administrator. I've tried to stop it from inheriting permissions, but
> that won't save either. I have run the updates for Windows, this is
> Windows XP Home.
>
> I can't install programs without being able to edit the registry.
> SYSTEM has Full Control on the registry keys in question, though it
> seems I can't edit any registry keys' permissions. This machine has
> 512MB of RAM and plenty of hard drive space. I appreciate any input.
>
>
> Thanks,
> tslugmo