If it is in invalid or excessive value in one of the data fields I am thinking about, then I should.

It might be a case of corrupt system files, mainly related to Add-Remove programs such as appwiz.cpl and/or msvcrt.dll > for this, boot in Safe Mode, then hide those two files (by renaming them, don't delete them!) then reboot in Normal Mode and:
START > RUN > sfc /scannow > OK

You might want to give that a shot while I am checking your registry file.