I would like to know how to BACKUP a good registry, say the first one
after a complete factory restore. AND THEN, if in the future I wanted
that same BACKUP restored, pristinely, without any later additions of
programs, registry entries updates and such. In other words, the same
registry I saved after a factory recover, would be RESTORED.

How can such a thing be accomplished? Thanks, jack

"jack0233" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:87d2e49c-a2fa-4ec8-966a-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I would like to know how to BACKUP a good registry, say the first one
> after a complete factory restore. AND THEN, if in the future I wanted
> that same BACKUP restored, pristinely, without any later additions of
> programs, registry entries updates and such. In other words, the same
> registry I saved after a factory recover, would be RESTORED.
>
> How can such a thing be accomplished? Thanks, jack

Do Start-Run-Regedit.
Highlight Computer then do File-Export.

To restore, just double click on the exported file (AFAIR)

Gordon wrote:
> "jack0233" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:87d2e49c-a2fa-4ec8-966a-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> I would like to know how to BACKUP a good registry, say the first one
>> after a complete factory restore. AND THEN, if in the future I wanted
>> that same BACKUP restored, pristinely, without any later additions of
>> programs, registry entries updates and such. In other words, the same
>> registry I saved after a factory recover, would be RESTORED.
>>
>> How can such a thing be accomplished? Thanks, jack
>
> Do Start-Run-Regedit.
> Highlight Computer then do File-Export.
>
> To restore, just double click on the exported file (AFAIR)

Better yet, use ERUNT.
The method you suggested of exporting and importing will not really restore
it to the exact state it was in previously, as it will merge entries with
those already in there, which is not an exact restoration (although it may
be close).

jack0233 wrote:
> I would like to know how to BACKUP a good registry, say the first one
> after a complete factory restore. AND THEN, if in the future I wanted
> that same BACKUP restored, pristinely, without any later additions of
> programs, registry entries updates and such. In other words, the same
> registry I saved after a factory recover, would be RESTORED.
>
> How can such a thing be accomplished? Thanks, jack

This page covers all the different ways you can back up your registry:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/registry.htm

But what you are asking about is problematic. If you install programs
along the way and wish to revert to your original registry (that is, the
registry as it was *before* you installed all those programs, there will
be mismatches galore. That is because all your registry entries for all
your installed programs will be gone once you restore the original
registry!

Perhaps, though, you are also interested in *not* keeping all those
programs, that is, starting clean. If so, read on...

Rather than back up the registry, you would be better advised to clone
your C: drive. Then not only will your original original registry be
restored, but there won't be any mismatches. You are looking for a
solution where *everything* becomes pristine, correct? If so, yes,
create an image of your entire C: drive in its pristine state. If you
are looking for a free program to do this, DriveImageXML fits the bill
nicely:

http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm

If you are looking for something more sophisiticated, Acronis True Image
Home is very popular:

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing...cts/trueimage/

This program has two advantages over the other program:

1. You can also create incremental images (which saves time)

2. You can even create perfectly cloned CDs if you wish.

However, if all you want to do is create a one-time perfect snapshot,
the first program is sufficient. But in order to restore the image, you
would need to run Bart PE:

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

And in order to build this boot CD, you will need a full-fledged Windows
XP installation CD first.

Personally, I recommend Acronis. Once you have it, you could get into
the habit of creating weely images of your drive. So if a problem comes
up, you wouldn't need to "flatten and rebuild." Rather, all you would
need to do is restore the most recent working image. Fast and easy! And
if for some reason you wish to restore your very first pristine image,
that option is always there for you (provided you save the image, of
course!).

An external hard drive is an excellent medium to store your image
archives on, so it is highly recommended.

Still, it's a good idea to _also_ use Windows System Restore and ERUNT.
The more tools you have in your toolbox, the better! Sometimes a simple
fix is all you need...

Daave wrote:
> jack0233 wrote:
>> I would like to know how to BACKUP a good registry, say the first one
>> after a complete factory restore. AND THEN, if in the future I wanted
>> that same BACKUP restored, pristinely, without any later additions of
>> programs, registry entries updates and such. In other words, the same
>> registry I saved after a factory recover, would be RESTORED.
>>
>> How can such a thing be accomplished? Thanks, jack
>
> This page covers all the different ways you can back up your registry:
>
> http://windowsxp.mvps.org/registry.htm
>
> But what you are asking about is problematic. If you install programs
> along the way and wish to revert to your original registry (that is, the
> registry as it was *before* you installed all those programs, there will
> be mismatches galore. That is because all your registry entries for all
> your installed programs will be gone once you restore the original
> registry!

Good call!
In retrospect, I probably should have said anything short of a backup image
or clone would be pretty useless - in this case (of going back that far).

> Perhaps, though, you are also interested in *not* keeping all those
> programs, that is, starting clean. If so, read on...
>
> Rather than back up the registry, you would be better advised to clone
> your C: drive. Then not only will your original original registry be
> restored, but there won't be any mismatches. You are looking for a
> solution where *everything* becomes pristine, correct? If so, yes,
> create an image of your entire C: drive in its pristine state. If you
> are looking for a free program to do this, DriveImageXML fits the bill
> nicely:
>
> http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm
>
> If you are looking for something more sophisiticated, Acronis True Image
> Home is very popular:
>
> http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing...cts/trueimage/
>
> This program has two advantages over the other program:
>
> 1. You can also create incremental images (which saves time)
>
> 2. You can even create perfectly cloned CDs if you wish.
>
> However, if all you want to do is create a one-time perfect snapshot,
> the first program is sufficient. But in order to restore the image, you
> would need to run Bart PE:
>
> http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
>
> And in order to build this boot CD, you will need a full-fledged Windows
> XP installation CD first.
>
> Personally, I recommend Acronis. Once you have it, you could get into
> the habit of creating weely images of your drive. So if a problem comes
> up, you wouldn't need to "flatten and rebuild." Rather, all you would
> need to do is restore the most recent working image. Fast and easy! And
> if for some reason you wish to restore your very first pristine image,
> that option is always there for you (provided you save the image, of
> course!).
>
> An external hard drive is an excellent medium to store your image
> archives on, so it is highly recommended.
>
> Still, it's a good idea to _also_ use Windows System Restore and ERUNT.
> The more tools you have in your toolbox, the better! Sometimes a simple
> fix is all you need...

Bill in Co. wrote:
> Daave wrote:
>> jack0233 wrote:
>>> I would like to know how to BACKUP a good registry, say the first
>>> one after a complete factory restore. AND THEN, if in the future I
>>> wanted that same BACKUP restored, pristinely, without any later
>>> additions of programs, registry entries updates and such. In other
>>> words, the same registry I saved after a factory recover, would be
>>> RESTORED. How can such a thing be accomplished? Thanks, jack
>>
>> This page covers all the different ways you can back up your
>> registry: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/registry.htm
>>
>> But what you are asking about is problematic. If you install programs
>> along the way and wish to revert to your original registry (that is,
>> the registry as it was *before* you installed all those programs,
>> there will be mismatches galore. That is because all your registry
>> entries for all your installed programs will be gone once you
>> restore the original registry!
>
> Good call!

I have my moments. :-)

I think what you want is a complete backup of your HD not the Registry.

Registry alone is not going to help you in shape or form. I suggest get
hold of Norton Ghost 15 from your local AMAZON and use its recovery disk to
back up your HD. They say "Cold Imaging lets you back up files without
installing Ghost.". I have tested it and can confirm it is completely true.

It costs $69 or less from online vendors but you can also download from
crack sites.

Let me repeat once again: REGISTRY ALONE OS NOT GOING TO PROTECT YOU IN THE
EVENT OF DISASTER STRIKING YOU.

hth

"jack0233" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:87d2e49c-a2fa-4ec8-966a-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I would like to know how to BACKUP a good registry, say the first one
> after a complete factory restore. AND THEN, if in the future I wanted
> that same BACKUP restored, pristinely, without any later additions of
> programs, registry entries updates and such. In other words, the same
> registry I saved after a factory recover, would be RESTORED.
>
> How can such a thing be accomplished? Thanks, jack

Daave wrote:
> jack0233 wrote:
>> I would like to know how to BACKUP a good registry, say the first one
>> after a complete factory restore. AND THEN, if in the future I
>> wanted that same BACKUP restored, pristinely, without any later
>> additions of programs, registry entries updates and such. In other
>> words, the same registry I saved after a factory recover, would be
>> RESTORED. How can such a thing be accomplished? Thanks, jack
>
> This page covers all the different ways you can back up your registry:
>
> http://windowsxp.mvps.org/registry.htm
>
> But what you are asking about is problematic. If you install programs
> along the way and wish to revert to your original registry (that is,
> the registry as it was *before* you installed all those programs,
> there will be mismatches galore. That is because all your registry
> entries for all your installed programs will be gone once you restore
> the original registry!
>
> Perhaps, though, you are also interested in *not* keeping all those
> programs, that is, starting clean. If so, read on...
>
> Rather than back up the registry, you would be better advised to clone
> your C: drive. Then not only will your original original registry be
> restored, but there won't be any mismatches. You are looking for a
> solution where *everything* becomes pristine, correct?

It appears he already has it - the "factory restore".

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

[Mrosen7542]

Hi all. I use a free program called Marcium Reflect to create drive images. It works well and is very easy to use. http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

Why would you want to do that? The registry is somewhat dynamic.
You cannot simply restore the registry to a factory level at a future time
and expect
an operable system.

"jack0233" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:87d2e49c-a2fa-4ec8-966a-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I would like to know how to BACKUP a good registry, say the first one
> after a complete factory restore. AND THEN, if in the future I wanted
> that same BACKUP restored, pristinely, without any later additions of
> programs, registry entries updates and such. In other words, the same
> registry I saved after a factory recover, would be RESTORED.
>
> How can such a thing be accomplished? Thanks, jack