"Registry is corrupt and has been altered"

Have you modified the registry with regedit in any way?

If so why?

Here's a solution anyway (special thanks to lajakl):

1) Open the Registry Editor by typing "regedit" at the bottom of the start menu, in the search box ( windows 7)

2)  Once you have opened the Registry Editor, go to this path: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Wow6432Node -> Electronic Arts -> EA Games -> Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour -> ergc

Click on the arrows next to the folder icons to navigate to the path

3) You should see your serial number in ergc set as something like HGUTJGIDBRY286HG92JG

    Now:

   - Check if this matches with the serial code your game came with

   - make sure there are no spaces

To modify the serial number, right click on "Default" under "Name" and select modify.

If this doesn't work, try the solution here:

http://answers.ea.com/t5/Command-Conquer-The-Ultimate/Invalid-serial-number-for-Command-and-conquer-generals-Deluxe/m-p/2312#U2312 #

DigitalGeo

Try this http://www.commandandconquer.com/forums/showthread.php?8104-Registry-is-corrupt-and-has-been-altered&p=119829&viewfull=1#post119829