Unable To Restore Registry Backup

[Dan Reardon]

Hello,

I've been very lax over the past too many years at backing up my computer,
and as you can imagine I've been in and out of trouble all my life.

Finally, I've installed an external DVD burner equipped with Nero, and
although for me it's been a steep learning curve, I've had some good success
with it.

Once I got my computer working really well, and tweaked the way I like it, I
backed up the registry using regedit.exe. I used the "registration files"
method rather than the "hive" method. A few days later, in order to test, I
was successfully able to import the backup into the registry.

But today, when I try to restore the backup (and this time I want to), at
first it appears the backup is going to install, but then I get the message:
"Cannot import C:\Documents and Settings\DAN\My Documents\Registry
Backups\....... Not all data was written to the registry. Some keys are open
by the system or other processes."

I have nothing else open, but of course the services and things like that
are running. I have a hunch something is wrong already. I'd sure
appreciate any advice on this issue before I get into big trouble once more.

Thanks in advance,
Danno

 

[Andrew E.]

That isnt the way to go about that,you'd run:Scanreg.exe
To use the tool,read kb183887 (it really is 183887)...

 

[db.·.. >]

here are a couple
of links that can
help you with
this issue:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084/en-us

http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

 

[Bill in Co.]

Not for Windows XP (IIRC). He needs to use something like ERUNT.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Exporting and importing .reg files does NOT completely restore the registry,
because it just overlays (merges) what is in there already (when you
import). Use ERUNT instead.

 

[Twayne]

Exporting and importing .reg files does NOT completely restore the

registry, because it just overlays (merges) what is in there already
(when you import). Use ERUNT instead.

Or better yet forget 3rd party crap and just backup the System State,
and Restore it whenever you need it.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Or better yet forget 3rd party crap and just backup the System State,
and Restore it whenever you need it.

Except that on certain occasions, it's actually wiser to use ERUNT. And
for others, System Restore, which I assume is what you meant by "restoring
the system state" (that's a bit ambiguous as to what 'ticket' you were
getting at - if you meant a disk backup and restore operation, you should
say so).

It's just about using the right tool for the right job. (Each has its own
advantages and disadvantages).

Actually, best of all (i.e. the most complete restoration) is just to
restore a backup from a disk image or clone of the system drive. But
sometimes even that is overkill.