S.O.S. - need M.V.P H-E-L-P for corruption of critical systems-files

[kurttrail]

Most households do!

Have a hole to crawl into?

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
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"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Kelly]

<LOL> Dunno, you would have to ask my husband. )

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Kelly]

Clarification if needed: My response was to the OP.

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Rock]

HSH wrote:

Responses posted in line

===============================================
FINAL (long-winded) REVIEW & my last QUESTIONS:
===============================================

RE: REINSTALLING WindowsXP UPDATES
Will the Update-wizard automatically start downloading the
Updates?
OR is there a local-cache of all the
previously downloaded&installed Updates
saved somewhere on my boot-disk?
(including the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 + recent Hotfix)

(My unreliable 56K-Dialup forces me to pre-plan
the duration my download-sessions, etc...)
-----------------------------------------------

Unfortunately no. If you didn't manually download and save the update
files, then they are not saved after installation. Next time manually
get them and save.

RE: RESTORE POINTS
The REPAIR INSTALL article (www.michaelstevenstech.com)
contains a hyperlink under the section "Warning #1"
that refers to the webpage
"Windows XP Crashed? Here's Help" by Charlie White
(www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm)
that addresses using the RECOVERY CONSOLE on the XP-SetupCD
to access (the otherwise inaccesible) saved Restore Points.

This appears to be a fairly complex set of procedures.
Any comments or recommendations on this Restoration approach?
-----------------------------------------------

That's the first time I've seen that article or that procedure to
recover registry copies from system restore. The first part of that
article is a standard set of procedures to recover from a corrupted
registry by restoring the backup copies of the registry files. Normally
that procedure is recommended when XP won't boot due to a registry
corruption. Whether following the full set of instructions will help
you I don't know.

RE: Drive Restoration using DRIVE-IMAGE
It occurs to me that IF I can regain access to PQ DriveImage,
I could rebuild my entire boot-disk & OS-system back
to an earlier "known good" state;
which might allow me to bypass the issues of Restore Points
and/or reapplying the Windows XP Updates...

Is this wishful thinking on my part?
Any obstacles that could derail a DriveImage restoration?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I use DI and it works well however, I don't know if it works with SATA
drives. Don't have any experience in that area. Don't know if it might
depend on what version you have

I will devote a little more time to re-examine
the Repair-Install instructions to fully grasp
the procedures...
and will then start the Repair-Install process later tonight,
(lateSundaynight / earlyMondaymorning)

<snip>

Good luck and post back your results. It will help others.

 

[HSH]

Responses posted in line



That's the first time I've seen that article or that procedure to
recover registry copies from system restore. The first part of that
article is a standard set of procedures to recover from a corrupted
registry by restoring the backup copies of the registry files. Normally
that procedure is recommended when XP won't boot due to a registry
corruption. Whether following the full set of instructions will help
you I don't know.

===================================
HeyYa Rock:

I will keep this Recovery Console procedure in mind
if & when all other options have been exhausted.
===================================

I use DI and it works well however, I don't know if it works with SATA
drives. Don't have any experience in that area. Don't know if it might
depend on what version you have

===================================
I am very glad to learn of your positive experience.
On a few prior occasions, I have successfully used PQ DI 7.0
to Restore some *individual* Folders & Files
from an ancillary PATA data-drive (my "Backups-partition")
back to my SATA boot-partition.
So YES --- DI v7.0 can handle SATA <--> PATA <--> SATA
very transparently.

BUT I have never before attempted a full-blown Drive-Restore
to overwrite the entire C:drive.
( " YIKES ! Giant-Leap-of-Faith, dead-ahead, Cap'n !!! ")
===================================

<snip>

Good luck and post back your results. It will help others.

I just checked my email, and found a 1st-response from
an "Escalation Engineer" at Microsoft Windows Online Support.
He too ALSO recommends a Repair-Install,
and adds the caveat that I might need to also reinstall some Apps
due to varying file-Versions generated by Apps-SetupInstalls.

I am feeling very assured now that You (& y'all)
have steered me on the path to a good outcome...
and maybe even (fingers-crossed) a full-fledged Recovery.

I wrote back to the Microsoft-guy to ask about deploying
the DriveImage-restoration as an "express-route"
back to a functional & ready-to-go, Repaired&Restored C:drive.
without need for any further corrective gyrations.

I did not intend to proceed beyond the Repair-Install operation
until seeing his response to this Drive-Image restoration-method.
BUT NOW, upon hearing of YOUR positive results with
PQ DriveImage, I'm more inclined to press-forward
& go ahead with an attempt to Image-restore the C:drive.

I will followup when I have more...

Thanks again !

HSH