Can I backup/transfer my registry from one windows install to anot

[Guest]

I find that I need to reformat often, so I have my OS (win xp pro) on a seperate partition. About 50% of my programs are saved via this method when i reformat, since I only format the system partition. However, many programs don't run because of missing registry data. Please tell me how I can avoid this, its really annoying to have to reinstall so much stuff (at least 3 hours).

 

[ThePainter]

First of all I think you should get a program like ghost
to backup your system.
You can export your whole registry from
within "Start>Run>regedit" from the "File" menu, it has
its own help files

-----Original Message-----
I find that I need to reformat often, so I have my OS

(win xp pro) on a seperate partition. About 50% of my
programs are saved via this method when i reformat, since
I only format the system partition. However, many
programs don't run because of missing registry data.
Please tell me how I can avoid this, its really annoying
to have to reinstall so much stuff (at least 3 hours).

 

[Guest]

First of all I think you should get a program like ghost
to backup your system.
You can export your whole registry from
within "Start>Run>regedit" from the "File" menu, it has
its own help files
(win xp pro) on a seperate partition. About 50% of my
programs are saved via this method when i reformat, since
I only format the system partition. However, many
programs don't run because of missing registry data.
Please tell me how I can avoid this, its really annoying
to have to reinstall so much stuff (at least 3 hours).

Ps make regular backup with ghost.

 

[Guest]

oooo that sounds like a very neat program, I hope I'm not violating anything by asking this but that sounds like something that would allow you to never activate your software, but backing up to an old date every time you reach expiration (but unforntunately u would have to have the incorrect system date and time afterwards) Am I right?
And another quick question, this program must be unique from other recovery softwares because it doesn't affect new programs?? Or does it, cause that would be bad, you would have to burn to disc after every few installs to make your own "restore point" of sorts. Thx for info btw... I have Norton Utilities maybe i can upgrade to ghost usage or something.

 

[Guest]

Can you tell me what commands I can enter from the "recovery console" (fake dos prompy booted from xp cd) to do this? Or what files I can copy from my system directories and then overwrite after I reinstall windows again? That way the programs I have on the other partition would need reinstall too. I would just overwrite the system directory but that would probably give me the same error about improper date/time or something. (my old install was disabled because of date/time glitch)

 

[JAX]

Hi Joe,

In answer to your question: 'Please tell me how I can avoid this".

Determine what you're doing that causes the need to re-format the drive and
stop whatever it is you are doing! It is a rare thing that re-formatting is
really necessary, unless you are experimenting with the system. If you are
having a particular problem, try to find the solution to that problem and
correct it.

A Google search will find solutions to many problems for you, as will
posting to the various XP newsgroups.

FWIW, JAX

I find that I need to reformat often, so I have my OS (win xp pro) on a

seperate partition. About 50% of my programs are saved via this method when
i reformat, since I only format the system partition. However, many
programs don't run because of missing registry data. Please tell me how I
can avoid this, its really annoying to have to reinstall so much stuff (at
least 3 hours).

 

[Michael Stevens]

I find that I need to reformat often, so I have my OS (win xp pro) on
a seperate partition. About 50% of my programs are saved via this
method when i reformat, since I only format the system partition.
However, many programs don't run because of missing registry data.
Please tell me how I can avoid this, its really annoying to have to
reinstall so much stuff (at least 3 hours).

Curious why you need to reformat XP often, but when you format and
reinstall, this is a clean install and nothing in the registry is carried
forward. Your diligence of placing the programs on the additional partition
gives the equivalent of what FAST [Files And Transfer Settings] Wizard does.
But you will still need to run the setup [install] media [CD, floppy disks,
hard disk folder] to the tell the new XP registry where to look for the
necessary files.
There is really no way to backup/restore/image a drive without losing
something, but imaging is probably the closest you can get.
Check out imaging software from a google search and research the
capabilities and limitations before deciding on the application.
I can recommend Ghost and Drive Image, but there are other applications as
good.
Post back with more information on why you reformat for more opinions and
solutions.


--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Tim]

I have done alot of experimenting in able to learn more
about windows and had to format and reactivate many times
I have activated my xp over 30 times and windows does not
seem to have a problem with that (on the same computer of
course)I have also used powerquest drive copy and
partition magic to copy partition after activation and
after i have all my programs set the way I like. again
with many errors the important thing to me in copy a drive
was to make sure to map drive and hiding partitions. I
have also used similer programs from the windows xp cd
under the repair windows installation option type help for
a list of commands For a novice such as my self it took
two months to get it right but now I have a copt of
my "perfect hard drive" stored.

-----Original Message-----

I find that I need to reformat often, so I have my OS (win xp pro) on
a seperate partition. About 50% of my programs are saved via this
method when i reformat, since I only format the system partition.
However, many programs don't run because of missing registry data.
Please tell me how I can avoid this, its really annoying to have to
reinstall so much stuff (at least 3 hours).

Curious why you need to reformat XP often, but when you format and
reinstall, this is a clean install and nothing in the registry is carried
forward. Your diligence of placing the programs on the additional partition
gives the equivalent of what FAST [Files And Transfer Settings] Wizard does.
But you will still need to run the setup [install] media [CD, floppy disks,
hard disk folder] to the tell the new XP registry where to look for the
necessary files.
There is really no way to backup/restore/image a drive without losing
something, but imaging is probably the closest you can get.
Check out imaging software from a google search and research the
capabilities and limitations before deciding on the application.
I can recommend Ghost and Drive Image, but there are other applications as
good.
Post back with more information on why you reformat for more opinions and
solutions.


--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm


.

 

[Phil]

oooo that sounds like a very neat program, I hope I'm not violating
anything by asking this but that sounds like something that would
allow you to never activate your software, but backing up to an old
date every time you reach expiration (but unforntunately u would have
to have the incorrect system date and time afterwards) Am I right?

Possibly, but what are you going to do, reload your ghost image every 29
days before activation locks you out? That's foolish. Just activate and be
done with it. Then ghost your system and when you put it back you're all
set, no need to worry about activation.

And another quick question, this program must be unique from other
recovery softwares because it doesn't affect new programs?? Or does
it, cause that would be bad, you would have to burn to disc after
every few installs to make your own "restore point" of sorts. Thx
for info btw... I have Norton Utilities maybe i can upgrade to ghost
usage or something.

First there are many programs that make an image for you. I'd go with Drive
Image or True Image over nortons ghost any day. You can make images anytime
you want. If you install new stuff and you want that included then you make
another image. It "saves" your drive exactly how it is when you run the
program. You can, however, pick and choose things to bring back, you don't
have to bring the whole thing back.

 

[Phil]

I do a lot of experimenting, demo software, beta software and only format
once or twice a year. Theres almost no reason to format 30 times especially
if your trying to learn windows inside and out. In the past three years I've
formatted 4 times. To learn windows you need to learn to fix it, tweak it,
patch it, and tweak it some more, without formatting.

I have done alot of experimenting in able to learn more
about windows and had to format and reactivate many times
I have activated my xp over 30 times and windows does not
seem to have a problem with that (on the same computer of
course)I have also used powerquest drive copy and
partition magic to copy partition after activation and
after i have all my programs set the way I like. again
with many errors the important thing to me in copy a drive
was to make sure to map drive and hiding partitions. I
have also used similer programs from the windows xp cd
under the repair windows installation option type help for
a list of commands For a novice such as my self it took
two months to get it right but now I have a copt of
my "perfect hard drive" stored.

-----Original Message-----

I find that I need to reformat often, so I have my OS (win xp pro)
on a seperate partition. About 50% of my programs are saved via
this method when i reformat, since I only format the system
partition. However, many programs don't run because of missing
registry data. Please tell me how I can avoid this, its really
annoying to have to reinstall so much stuff (at least 3 hours).

Curious why you need to reformat XP often, but when you format and
reinstall, this is a clean install and nothing in the registry is
carried forward. Your diligence of placing the programs on the
additional partition gives the equivalent of what FAST [Files And
Transfer Settings] Wizard does. But you will still need to run the
setup [install] media [CD, floppy disks, hard disk folder] to the
tell the new XP registry where to look for the necessary files.
There is really no way to backup/restore/image a drive without losing
something, but imaging is probably the closest you can get.
Check out imaging software from a google search and research the
capabilities and limitations before deciding on the application.
I can recommend Ghost and Drive Image, but there are other
applications as good.
Post back with more information on why you reformat for more
opinions and solutions.


--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm


.

 

[JAX]

Hi Phil,

It seems; What he had in mind was to install XP to another computer and then
reinstall via the image he had created. before he is required to activate.

I think; He needs to learn a bit more about his system and quit dickey-doing
around.

FWIW, JAX

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

I should think that the best course of action would be to
eliminate the problems that are causing you to reformat so often. A
properly installed, configured, and maintained WinXP installation, on
good quality, fully compatible, and non-defective hardware, should
last for years.

In the meantime, I know of no way to import an entire registry
from one OS installation to a new installation without creating more
problems than you already have.


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

I find that I need to reformat often, so I have my OS (win xp pro)

on a seperate partition. About 50% of my programs are saved via this
method when i reformat, since I only format the system partition.
However, many programs don't run because of missing registry data.
Please tell me how I can avoid this, its really annoying to have to
reinstall so much stuff (at least 3 hours).

 

[Alex Nichol]

I find that I need to reformat often, so I have my OS (win xp pro) on a seperate partition. About 50% of my programs are saved via this method when i reformat, since I only format the system partition. However, many programs don't run because of missing registry data. Please tell me how I can avoid this, its really annoying to have to reinstall so much stuff (at least 3 hours).

I suggest that you try making a secure image backup of the partition so
that you can restore that (with all programs included) rather than a
reinstall of the system. I use Image for Windows, from
http://www.BootitNG.com ($27 shareware - 30 day full functional trial),
but there are several others, Drive Image; Ghost for example.

As a registry backup, use the free ERUNT
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt

 

[Phil]

LOL.

Hi Phil,

It seems; What he had in mind was to install XP to another computer
and then reinstall via the image he had created. before he is
required to activate.

I think; He needs to learn a bit more about his system and quit
dickey-doing around.

FWIW, JAX

 

[Guest]

Thanks much Phil, which of those 2 would you recommend for speed? It sounds like I will be burning a lot of CDs and often, want it as efficient as possible

 

[Guest]

Honestly you aren't far from the truth, but still wrong. I want to make the reformats I do every 30 days as nondamaging as possible. What you said though is a great idea and since I have 2 computers it should be easy. Obviously there is more to it because you make it sound impossible, would ask for more info but you don't seem like the type to help Anywho thanks for pointing me in the right direction

 

[Guest]

See other message and you'll understand, also I really need to manually copy my registry files from DOS. I need to know if a simple copy is sufficient. I am locked out of windows on one of my computers due to a date/time error (I had the wrong date on install and fixing the date caused my activation period to disappear) By the way Joe7dust is my AIM name if you have better information for me that you don't want to post. I use a Dell OEM version of XP pro and needless to say 99.9% of the mods out there are for a regular version, the one I found for Dell didn't work

 

[Guest]

I lost my XP key and I was thinking of reformatting the system partition every 30 days until I can find a working key (most are used up and a DELL OEM one is hard to find). I was doing fine for a couple of years until a nasty and extremely intelligent virus warranted a format, thanks in advance.

I find that I need to reformat often, so I have my OS (win xp pro) on
a seperate partition. About 50% of my programs are saved via this
method when i reformat, since I only format the system partition.
However, many programs don't run because of missing registry data.
Please tell me how I can avoid this, its really annoying to have to
reinstall so much stuff (at least 3 hours).

Curious why you need to reformat XP often, but when you format and
reinstall, this is a clean install and nothing in the registry is carried
forward. Your diligence of placing the programs on the additional partition
gives the equivalent of what FAST [Files And Transfer Settings] Wizard does.
But you will still need to run the setup [install] media [CD, floppy disks,
hard disk folder] to the tell the new XP registry where to look for the
necessary files.
There is really no way to backup/restore/image a drive without losing
something, but imaging is probably the closest you can get.
Check out imaging software from a google search and research the
capabilities and limitations before deciding on the application.
I can recommend Ghost and Drive Image, but there are other applications as
good.
Post back with more information on why you reformat for more opinions and
solutions.


--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Phil]

I've tried both and drive image seems to be faster, imho.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Has the thought of purchasing a legitimate license not occurred to
you?

Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

I lost my XP key and I was thinking of reformatting the system

partition every 30 days until I can find a working key (most are used
up and a DELL OEM one is hard to find). I was doing fine for a couple
of years until a nasty and extremely intelligent virus warranted a
format, thanks in advance.