Need to re-install Windows 2000 - How to save settings?

[B. Rogers]

Originally using Win NT 4, I upgraded by installing Windows 2000 Pro
over NT. Now, quite some time later, I am convinced that I have some
registry entries corrupted and possibly some "legacy" problems back to
the NT installation.

I have finally decided to do a fresh, "clean install" of Windows 2000
Pro and re-build my system from there, re-installing all my applications
from scratch. Needless to say, this seems a HUGE and daunting task.

The question is this: In terms of Windows 2000 itself, is there any sort
of guide to how to back-up or export all of my system settings so that I
can avoid having to configure them all manually? I have multiple
physical hard drives and plan to "wipe" the C drive and do a fresh
install but it would be simple to create a directory on one of the other
physical drives to store any exported settings for retrieval once the
fresh install is completed.

I know how to save my Favourites/Bookmarks, Outlook Express address
book, cookies etc. What I am concerned about ranges from my internet
connection settings, dial up connection settings, Internet options,
desktop configuration, display settings, etc. I simply cannot believe
that there would be no way to simply replicate these on a fresh install
but I have searched the MS knowledge base etc. and can find nothing that
seems to deal with this subject.

I would be very grateful for any advice from anyone who knows the
answers.

Brent

 

[Dave Patrick]

There really isn't a way. If you attempt to restore the old registry on your
new install you'll likely be bringing the corruption with it.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft MVP [Windows NT/2000 Operating Systems]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect.

:
| Originally using Win NT 4, I upgraded by installing Windows 2000 Pro
| over NT. Now, quite some time later, I am convinced that I have some
| registry entries corrupted and possibly some "legacy" problems back to
| the NT installation.
|
| I have finally decided to do a fresh, "clean install" of Windows 2000
| Pro and re-build my system from there, re-installing all my applications
| from scratch. Needless to say, this seems a HUGE and daunting task.
|
| The question is this: In terms of Windows 2000 itself, is there any sort
| of guide to how to back-up or export all of my system settings so that I
| can avoid having to configure them all manually? I have multiple
| physical hard drives and plan to "wipe" the C drive and do a fresh
| install but it would be simple to create a directory on one of the other
| physical drives to store any exported settings for retrieval once the
| fresh install is completed.
|
| I know how to save my Favourites/Bookmarks, Outlook Express address
| book, cookies etc. What I am concerned about ranges from my internet
| connection settings, dial up connection settings, Internet options,
| desktop configuration, display settings, etc. I simply cannot believe
| that there would be no way to simply replicate these on a fresh install
| but I have searched the MS knowledge base etc. and can find nothing that
| seems to deal with this subject.
|
| I would be very grateful for any advice from anyone who knows the
| answers.
|
| Brent
|

 

[Guest]

You can save your Documents and Setting folder that is located on the 'C' drive to a CD. This is limit in effect but useful.

 

[Vance Green]

But, again, as Dave mentioned, this could bring
your old problems right along with it...

If you want to start anew, you MUST do just that,
and use NO bits and pieces of your old install.

Just think of your old install as a virus, treat it
accordingly,and you'll know what to do.

If possible, back up the entire old install to some
media that does not require special software
to read it (DVD+/-R or CD-R) so you can extract
things if you need them.

You can save your Documents and Setting folder that is located on the 'C'

drive to a CD. This is limit in effect but useful.