Transfer Windows Registry...post-crash

[RickAltman]

I have a unique challenge facing me. Data corruption on my OS drive has
rendered my copy of Windows XP unusable. Can't boot into Windows in Safe mode
or any other mode. The drive is still readable, however, and I am able to
read it via an external USB connection.

As a result, I have gotten all critical data files off of it that I need,
but there are two important application settings that live only in the
Registry, and I did not store them in .reg files before the drive went south.

I know the five files that make up the Registry and their home in
Windows/System32/config. Is it plausible to attempt to transfer those files
to a drive that has a working copy of Windows, boot, grab the Registry
settings, and then get out? I make it sound like a bank robbery...

Has anyone attempted this? Many thanks...



Rick A.
Pleasanton CA

 

[John John - MVP]

I have a unique challenge facing me. Data corruption on my OS drive has
rendered my copy of Windows XP unusable. Can't boot into Windows in Safe mode
or any other mode. The drive is still readable, however, and I am able to
read it via an external USB connection.

As a result, I have gotten all critical data files off of it that I need,
but there are two important application settings that live only in the
Registry, and I did not store them in .reg files before the drive went south.

I know the five files that make up the Registry and their home in
Windows/System32/config. Is it plausible to attempt to transfer those files
to a drive that has a working copy of Windows, boot, grab the Registry
settings, and then get out? I make it sound like a bank robbery...

Has anyone attempted this? Many thanks...

Load the hive with Regedit and then export/save the keys in question.
You can then manually add data to the new registry or you can merger the
saved file to the new registry but don't forget to edit the temporary
name out of the saved key paths before you merge. See here for easy to
follow instructions: http://www.rwin.ch/xp-live/regedit.htm

Don't forget to unload the hive when you are done. You already know
that this is not meant to be used as a supported method to move
applications but it can be useful in certain circumstances. Also note
that if the application's settings were "User Settings" (as opposed to
'Ssytem Wide') that the settings reside in the user's Ntuser.dat hive in
his profile folder.

John