Dreamer, if you're sure about the "brain surgery"...

REMEMBER: Make a backup of the registry file!!!!!

okay now on to, Brain Surgery in Ten Easy Steps!

1. Exit from all applications.
2. Choose Start --> Run.
3. Type regedit in the Open text box.
4. Click OK.
5. In the Registry Editor, choose Registry > Export Registry File.
6. In the Export Registry File dialog box, choose a location and a name for the backup file.
7. Click Save.

Now comes the Brain Surgery

8. Select the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Adobe/Common Files folder in the left side of the Registry Editor window.
9. In the right side of the Registry Editor window, double-click the AdobeHome key.
10. In the Edit String dialog box, change the Value Data to X: (where "x" designates your startup drive.

If this doesn't fix your problem, all i can suggest is to make a "bookmark" to your Photoshop help file in your browser and use that when you need help... (not a great workaround, sorry...)

Sorry about the veer off your topic of discussion Manticore, i hope you don't mind :)

:)
retrocity