I'm posting this here, rather than "software", because the problem clearly requires a registry tweak.
After I install Nero's CD Burner software, I can't export my entire registry. The HKEY_USERS will now only export .DEFAULT and not the S-1-2-34567890xxxxx etc key.
After much trouble shooting, I narrowed it down to the following:
-The registry now can't export any key name longer than 26 characters.
-The problem is definitely due to something now in the software hive, possibly the Classes section. (Switching back to a good System hive made no difference. Switching Software hives did.)
-DLL hell is not a factor, although the program does update several DLLs and logagent.exe
-The problem started after installing the programming but before rebooting (which in any case isn't necessary).
I'm running Windows NT 4.0 Workstation SP6a and Nero's OEM Suite 6.3.1.6.
Thanks to any and all who know the answer.