I'm trying to reinstall some features of Nero and Roxio Creator 7. I keep getting error messages like Error 1324, and something about xcess character in path. I'm told via Microsoft and others, that it may be a registry problem and to get some new software to deal with it. So, can I fix it without new software, or do I have to buy some? Do you have a list of such software?

Says it is an registry error as you said. Now have you tried to uninstall the versions of nero and roxio that you already have before installing again? You could also uninstall and search the registry for Nero or Roxio and take them out of the registry too as that's where it says the problem could be. Unless you know what you are doing I wouldn't mess with the registry though. I've seen a few people who didn't know what they were doing in there delete some things that they shouldn't have and had to reformat :P If you think you're OK with trying I found a few links that were listed in another forum that may or may not help you, hopefully they do though. I'd try these before you try to completely take them out of the registry.

Works/HP 2000: "Error 1324" During Installation (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q242913)

You receive an invalid character error message when you install Office XP and Office 2003 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q292582)

"Error 1324" Error Message When You Change the Destination Folder During a Custom Setup (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q307681)