REGISTRY

Regarding Registry Commands or ways to get around registry issues. There are
options that seem to be available to inexperienced users.

REGEDIT allows you to EXPORT and IMPORT the current Registry. Right
Clicking on the generated File, you get the MERGE Option. To me, it does not
appear that the existing registry will be replaced with the Exported copy,
since
MERGE implies that some entries will be overwritten, some inserted and some
of the existing ones left untouched.
On he other end, when I choose to use the SCANREG /RESTORE option (issued at
the DOS Prompt) the existing Registry will be replaced by one of the copies
backed up by the System.
I have no idea of how the IMPORT option deals with it all.

Some time back, someone suggested to save a copy of one of the System’s
backed up Files, if one so desires, and make that available to the System
when the SCANREG /RESTORE option is used.

Can anyone comment on my assumptions, clarify the various options or
recommend the best way to deal
with this? Thank you in advance!
BP

You are correct.
Merge does not replace the Registry and you have explained it well.
Scanreg /Restore replaces the Registry (system.dat+user.dat) from the
backups held like C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUP\rb000.cab

Restoring the Registry is the best option. Using Import on an Exported
file is not satisfactory, though such a file can be handy.

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html


In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, BAP
wrote:

?Regarding Registry Commands or ways to get around registry issues. There are
options that seem to be available to inexperienced users.

REGEDIT allows you to EXPORT and IMPORT the current Registry. Right
Clicking on the generated File, you get the MERGE Option. To me, it does not
appear that the existing registry will be replaced with the Exported copy,
since
MERGE implies that some entries will be overwritten, some inserted and some
of the existing ones left untouched.
On he other end, when I choose to use the SCANREG /RESTORE option (issued at
the DOS Prompt) the existing Registry will be replaced by one of the copies
backed up by the System.
I have no idea of how the IMPORT option deals with it all.

Some time back, someone suggested to save a copy of one of the System’s
backed up Files, if one so desires, and make that available to the System
when the SCANREG /RESTORE option is used.

Can anyone comment on my assumptions, clarify the various options or
recommend the best way to deal
with this? Thank you in advance!
BP

Thanks, Alan, for your quick response and comments.

Is the option of saving one of the five backups held in
C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUP\ (the best one, I suppose) and make that one 'one of the
five saved by the system'- by overwriting one of them - still a valid option?
BP
------

"Alan Edwards" wrote:

You are correct.
Merge does not replace the Registry and you have explained it well.
Scanreg /Restore replaces the Registry (system.dat+user.dat) from the
backups held like C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUP\rb000.cab

Restoring the Registry is the best option. Using Import on an Exported
file is not satisfactory, though such a file can be handy.

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html


In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, BAP
wrote:

?Regarding Registry Commands or ways to get around registry issues. There are
options that seem to be available to inexperienced users.

REGEDIT allows you to EXPORT and IMPORT the current Registry. Right
Clicking on the generated File, you get the MERGE Option. To me, it does not
appear that the existing registry will be replaced with the Exported copy,
since
MERGE implies that some entries will be overwritten, some inserted and some
of the existing ones left untouched.
On he other end, when I choose to use the SCANREG /RESTORE option (issued at
the DOS Prompt) the existing Registry will be replaced by one of the copies
backed up by the System.
I have no idea of how the IMPORT option deals with it all.

Some time back, someone suggested to save a copy of one of the System’s
backed up Files, if one so desires, and make that available to the System
when the SCANREG /RESTORE option is used.

Can anyone comment on my assumptions, clarify the various options or
recommend the best way to deal
with this? Thank you in advance!
BP

You can overwrite one but why would you want to?
They are already there.
The five backups are saved by the system automatically.
What are you trying to achieve?

If you want to create another at any time of the current Registry, use
Start-Run-SCANREGW

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html

In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, BAP
wrote:

Thanks, Alan, for your quick response and comments.

Is the option of saving one of the five backups held in
C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUP\ (the best one, I suppose) and make that one 'one of the
five saved by the system'- by overwriting one of them - still a valid option?
BP
------

"Alan Edwards" wrote:

You are correct.
Merge does not replace the Registry and you have explained it well.
Scanreg /Restore replaces the Registry (system.dat+user.dat) from the
backups held like C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUP\rb000.cab

Restoring the Registry is the best option. Using Import on an Exported
file is not satisfactory, though such a file can be handy.

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html


In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, BAP
wrote:

?Regarding Registry Commands or ways to get around registry issues. There are
options that seem to be available to inexperienced users.

REGEDIT allows you to EXPORT and IMPORT the current Registry. Right
Clicking on the generated File, you get the MERGE Option. To me, it does not
appear that the existing registry will be replaced with the Exported copy,
since
MERGE implies that some entries will be overwritten, some inserted and some
of the existing ones left untouched.
On he other end, when I choose to use the SCANREG /RESTORE option (issued at
the DOS Prompt) the existing Registry will be replaced by one of the copies
backed up by the System.
I have no idea of how the IMPORT option deals with it all.

Some time back, someone suggested to save a copy of one of the System’s
backed up Files, if one so desires, and make that available to the System
when the SCANREG /RESTORE option is used.

Can anyone comment on my assumptions, clarify the various options or
recommend the best way to deal
with this? Thank you in advance!
BP

Just as Edwards said, you are right. SCANREG is the much better option,
as a knowledgeable one (cquirke) once said certain rare data forms in
the Registry will not be restored on EXPORT/IMPORT, which deals with a
text file. Another thing: Only ScanReg handles System.ini & Win.ini with
the Registry (System.dat & User.dat). Here a re few things I usually
post, when ScanReg comes up...

In the event Windows finds a problem with the Registry at boot, it does
no "/Fix", unless there is no backup to "/Restore". It will restore an
earlier Registry from "C:\Windows\Sysbckup".

Firstly...
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=186909
Registry Checker Continues to Detect Registry Damage
....better check the integrity of RAM (Memory), as that is often
suspect, when Windows does it's auto-/Restore of the Registry at boot...
http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp RAM tester
http://www.memtest86.com/ RAM tester

But, to investigate your Registry backups...

(1)
(a) START, Settings, Folder Options, View tab.
Bolt "Show all files" & UNcheck "Hide file extensions..."

(b) "START, Find, F/F, RB???.cab".
Those are the Registry backups, in Sysbckup\. Are there five,
plus an RBbad? Are the dates consistent with each of the last five
days you've successfully boot? What is the date on RBbad?

(2) "START, Programs, MS-DOS Prompt". Then,
(a) CD Windows\Sysbckup
(b) DIR RB???.cab /od
(c) Use the "Mark" button, outline with mouse, "Copy" & post for
inspection.

C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUPdir rb???.cab /od /a
Directory of C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUP

RB000 CAB 1,416,088 03-30-03 3:13p rb000.cab
RB001 CAB 1,411,408 03-31-03 3:06p rb001.cab
RB002 CAB 1,414,491 04-01-03 2:48p rb002.cab
RBBAD CAB 1,399,569 04-02-03 5:06p rbbad.cab
RB003 CAB 1,400,385 04-02-03 5:06p rb003.cab
RB004 CAB 1,401,263 04-03-03 3:34p rb004.cab
6 file(s) 8,443,204 bytes

Note, on 4/2 I did a Scanreg /Fix, which created the RBbad. It is also
created when Windows decides on it's own to replace a Registry with one
of the backups. Then, the Registry that was replaced ends up in RBbad.

One is created at the first successful boot per day, when all is well.
So, check those dates. When Windows detects a Registry corruption at
boot, it will look for one of those backups to replace it with. If there
only is a very old one in there, it would explain a loss of recent
changes to settings at reboot.

Also check that "ScanRegistry" is checked in "START, Run, MSConfig,
Startup tab". It should read:

ScanRegistry c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun

Perhaps look inside "C:\Windows\Scanreg.ini". Here is how a normal one
should look...

......Scanreg.ini..........
;
; Scanreg.ini for making system backups.
;

;Registry backup is skipped altogether if this is set to 0
Backup=1

;Registry automatic optimization is skipped if this is set to 0
Optimize=1

ScanregVersion=0.0001
MaxBackupCopies=5

;Backup directory where the cabs are stored is
; windir\sysbckup by default. Value below overrides it.
; It must be a full path. ex. c:\tmp\backup
;
BackupDirectory=

; Additional system files to backup into cab as follows:
; Filenames are separated by ','
; dir code can be:
; 10 : windir (ex. c:\windows)
; 11 : system dir (ex. c:\windows\system)
; 30 : boot dir (ex. c:\)
; 31 : boot host dir (ex. c:\)
;
;Files=[dir code,]file1,file2,file3
;Files=[dir code,]file1,file2,file3
......End......................

Boot to DOS (hold Ctrl as you boot for the Startup Menu, & select
"Command Prompt Only"), and Enter

SCANREG /Restore

It will offer five, one for each of the last five separate days you
booted successfully. Start with the one of the day the problem began, as
these backups of the entire Registry (& System.ini & Win.ini) are done
at boot, not at shut down.

CAVEAT: A /Restore restores settings only. If there was a file change
(other than to System.ini & Win.ini), those cannot be undone this way.
That could be a problem, especially if there was a hardware change or
large un/in-stall since the backup was made.


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"BAP" wrote in message
...
| Regarding Registry Commands or ways to get around registry issues.
There are
| options that seem to be available to inexperienced users.
|
| REGEDIT allows you to EXPORT and IMPORT the current Registry. Right
| Clicking on the generated File, you get the MERGE Option. To me, it
does not
| appear that the existing registry will be replaced with the Exported
copy,
| since
| MERGE implies that some entries will be overwritten, some inserted
and some
| of the existing ones left untouched.
| On he other end, when I choose to use the SCANREG /RESTORE option
(issued at
| the DOS Prompt) the existing Registry will be replaced by one of the
copies
| backed up by the System.
| I have no idea of how the IMPORT option deals with it all.
|
| Some time back, someone suggested to save a copy of one of the
System’s
| backed up Files, if one so desires, and make that available to the
System
| when the SCANREG /RESTORE option is used.
|
| Can anyone comment on my assumptions, clarify the various options or
| recommend the best way to deal
| with this? Thank you in advance!
| BP

Alan, I realize that the five backups are saved automatically, but they are
for the last five (consecutive) days of computer usage. My interest was for
retaining a given backup and use it, if the need should arise, at some later
time. Obviously, I would have to be concerned about having to re-install
applications that may come to be since the date of the backup copy. This was
more for information, rather than for specific motives.
I do appreciate your observations.
BP
.........................
"Alan Edwards" wrote:

You can overwrite one but why would you want to?
They are already there.
The five backups are saved by the system automatically.
What are you trying to achieve?

If you want to create another at any time of the current Registry, use
Start-Run-SCANREGW

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html

Thanks, PCR!
Man, all you guys are overwhelming with so much knowledge!
That is great!

As I attempted at expressing my view of the matterto Alan, keeping a copy
other than the immediate five days of backups appeales to me. No specific
reason, other than curiosity.
Not sure if there would be a need for using that copy, but would it work, as
long as no applications have been installed since the date of the copy?
Thanks, again!
BP
----------------


"PCR" wrote:

Just as Edwards said, you are right. SCANREG is the much better option,
as a knowledgeable one (cquirke) once said certain rare data forms in
the Registry will not be restored on EXPORT/IMPORT, which deals with a
text file. Another thing: Only ScanReg handles System.ini & Win.ini with
the Registry (System.dat & User.dat). Here a re few things I usually
post, when ScanReg comes up...

In the event Windows finds a problem with the Registry at boot, it does
no "/Fix", unless there is no backup to "/Restore". It will restore an
earlier Registry from "C:\Windows\Sysbckup".

Firstly...
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=186909
Registry Checker Continues to Detect Registry Damage
....better check the integrity of RAM (Memory), as that is often
suspect, when Windows does it's auto-/Restore of the Registry at boot...
http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp RAM tester
http://www.memtest86.com/ RAM tester

But, to investigate your Registry backups...

(1)
(a) START, Settings, Folder Options, View tab.
Bolt "Show all files" & UNcheck "Hide file extensions..."

(b) "START, Find, F/F, RB???.cab".
Those are the Registry backups, in Sysbckup\. Are there five,
plus an RBbad? Are the dates consistent with each of the last five
days you've successfully boot? What is the date on RBbad?

(2) "START, Programs, MS-DOS Prompt". Then,
(a) CD Windows\Sysbckup
(b) DIR RB???.cab /od
(c) Use the "Mark" button, outline with mouse, "Copy" & post for
inspection.

C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUPdir rb???.cab /od /a
Directory of C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUP

RB000 CAB 1,416,088 03-30-03 3:13p rb000.cab
RB001 CAB 1,411,408 03-31-03 3:06p rb001.cab
RB002 CAB 1,414,491 04-01-03 2:48p rb002.cab
RBBAD CAB 1,399,569 04-02-03 5:06p rbbad.cab
RB003 CAB 1,400,385 04-02-03 5:06p rb003.cab
RB004 CAB 1,401,263 04-03-03 3:34p rb004.cab
6 file(s) 8,443,204 bytes

Note, on 4/2 I did a Scanreg /Fix, which created the RBbad. It is also
created when Windows decides on it's own to replace a Registry with one
of the backups. Then, the Registry that was replaced ends up in RBbad.

One is created at the first successful boot per day, when all is well.
So, check those dates. When Windows detects a Registry corruption at
boot, it will look for one of those backups to replace it with. If there
only is a very old one in there, it would explain a loss of recent
changes to settings at reboot.

Also check that "ScanRegistry" is checked in "START, Run, MSConfig,
Startup tab". It should read:

ScanRegistry c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun

Perhaps look inside "C:\Windows\Scanreg.ini". Here is how a normal one
should look...

......Scanreg.ini..........
;
; Scanreg.ini for making system backups.
;

;Registry backup is skipped altogether if this is set to 0
Backup=1

;Registry automatic optimization is skipped if this is set to 0
Optimize=1

ScanregVersion=0.0001
MaxBackupCopies=5

;Backup directory where the cabs are stored is
; windir\sysbckup by default. Value below overrides it.
; It must be a full path. ex. c:\tmp\backup
;
BackupDirectory=

; Additional system files to backup into cab as follows:
; Filenames are separated by ','
; dir code can be:
; 10 : windir (ex. c:\windows)
; 11 : system dir (ex. c:\windows\system)
; 30 : boot dir (ex. c:\)
; 31 : boot host dir (ex. c:\)
;
;Files=[dir code,]file1,file2,file3
;Files=[dir code,]file1,file2,file3
......End......................

Boot to DOS (hold Ctrl as you boot for the Startup Menu, & select
"Command Prompt Only"), and Enter

SCANREG /Restore

It will offer five, one for each of the last five separate days you
booted successfully. Start with the one of the day the problem began, as
these backups of the entire Registry (& System.ini & Win.ini) are done
at boot, not at shut down.

CAVEAT: A /Restore restores settings only. If there was a file change
(other than to System.ini & Win.ini), those cannot be undone this way.
That could be a problem, especially if there was a hardware change or
large un/in-stall since the backup was made.


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"BAP" wrote in message
...
| Regarding Registry Commands or ways to get around registry issues.
There are
| options that seem to be available to inexperienced users.
|
| REGEDIT allows you to EXPORT and IMPORT the current Registry. Right
| Clicking on the generated File, you get the MERGE Option. To me, it
does not
| appear that the existing registry will be replaced with the Exported
copy,
| since
| MERGE implies that some entries will be overwritten, some inserted
and some
| of the existing ones left untouched.
| On he other end, when I choose to use the SCANREG /RESTORE option
(issued at
| the DOS Prompt) the existing Registry will be replaced by one of the
copies
| backed up by the System.
| I have no idea of how the IMPORT option deals with it all.
|
| Some time back, someone suggested to save a copy of one of the
System’s
| backed up Files, if one so desires, and make that available to the
System
| when the SCANREG /RESTORE option is used.
|
| Can anyone comment on my assumptions, clarify the various options or
| recommend the best way to deal
| with this? Thank you in advance!
| BP

To save such a backup, including the Registry files, Win.ini, System.ini and any
other files you want to add to it (by editing SCANREG.INF), you simply have to
rename it, using any extension other than CAB. (Don't name your backup
RBBAD.CAB, as this is a backup of the existing Registry created when running
Scanreg /fix or /opt or /restore.)

Of course, you want to avoid associated extensions, so perhaps you'd change
RB001.CAB to RB001.KPR (for "Keeper".) But I have to tell you that based upon
experience, such a backup quickly loses its usefulness. Yes, you could
conceivably use it in an emergency, said emergency including the discovery that
you have no recent backups. (Maybe they got deleted? Maybe SCANREGW hasn't been
running for a while, or you have nothing but virus-infected copies...) But at
that point it almost always makes more sense to clean reinstall after formatting
the drive. Even if you *did* restore such a backup in an emergency, it will
likely generate many errors and its usefulness would be limited to allowing you
to retrieve important data files before clean-reinstallation.

In any case, in order to restore such a backup as this, here's what you'd need
to do. We'll assume you can't currently get into Windows in either Normal or
Safe modes--you can only get to Command Prompt Only or boot using a Windows
Startup floppy disk. At the C:\ prompt run the following commands (enter at
end of each line):

smartdrv
cd windows
attrib -h sysbckup
cd sysbckup
ren rb*.cab rb*.old
ren rb001.kpr rb001.cab
cd \
attrib +h c:\windows\sysbckup
scanreg /restore

You'll be prompted to restart.

Notes: There are a lot of spaces in these instruction. Printing this out may
help, especially if you use a fixed-width font. Also, I'm not certain if a
System attribute is normal for C:\Windows\Sysbckup, but if so, you may need to
include that in the attrib commands:
attrib -s-h sysbckup
attrib +h+s sysbckup

I suggested renaming *all* of the existing RB*.CAB files before inserting your
backup because Scanreg /restore only offers the five most recent backups,
regardless of the name. Also, SCANREGW might, upon restarting, try to restore a
faulty RB*.CAB if it decides your new (old) one is defective.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User

"BAP" wrote in message
...
Alan, I realize that the five backups are saved automatically, but they are
for the last five (consecutive) days of computer usage. My interest was for
retaining a given backup and use it, if the need should arise, at some later
time. Obviously, I would have to be concerned about having to re-install
applications that may come to be since the date of the backup copy. This was
more for information, rather than for specific motives.
I do appreciate your observations.
BP
........................
"Alan Edwards" wrote:

You can overwrite one but why would you want to?
They are already there.
The five backups are saved by the system automatically.
What are you trying to achieve?

If you want to create another at any time of the current Registry, use
Start-Run-SCANREGW

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html

You are welcome. If you...

(a) Do no installs or UNinstalls of apps that put tons of entries into
the Registry
(b) Do no un/in-stalls of hardware
(c) Do not update drivers in Device Manager
(d) Are willing to lose settings (& data even) that apps may put into
the Registry
(e) Do not move system folders to other partitions (ouch)
(f) Who knows what else?

I guess you may feel free to use an older one. Best thing really is to
do a full system backup, that gets the Registry & everything else. You
need 3rd party software for that. Want my list?

Nevertheless, here is what I gathered from experimentation with
/Restore...

(1) After a /Restore, an RB...cab will show up that appears to be
BLOATED. It really isn't larger, but that is only a marker to indicate
it was replaced. I believe it is the Registry that was replaced, i.e.,
it was the System.dat/User.dat/System.ini/Win.ini that were in effect
before you did the /Restore. The files inside are still compacted. I
never tried to /Restore one of those. Can it be they will not /Restore?
They will drop off as the days pass, & all will be normal sized again.

(2) "RBbad.cab", if you have one, will retain it's date until the
following should happen again. RBbad is created when...

(a) You do a "Scanreg /Fix", or
(b) Windows decides you have a corrupt Registry, & replaces it on it's
own at boot.

(3) Here is more I know (I think)...

(a) "START, Run, Scanreg" will NOT create an RB..cab that looks bloated.
It does creates an RB..cab of the same date as the latest, IF it is the
same day as the most recent boot.
(b) The RB..cab created at the most recent boot is marked "not started"
by /Restore in DOS.
(c) The RB..cab created by "START, Run, Scanreg" is also "not started"
(d) I was able to choose both "started" & "not started" in /Restore.
(e) A /Restore DOES create a bloated RB(next available number).cab.
(f) A Windows initiated auto-/Restore does same, but puts the bloat into
RBBAD.cab.
(g) It appears there really is NO BLOAT, but the size of the cab is just
reported differently, just to indicate it was created by a /Restore. The
files inside are normal sized.
(h) I have not attempted to /Restore a bloated one, but they are
offered.


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"BAP" wrote in message
news | Thanks, PCR!
| Man, all you guys are overwhelming with so much knowledge!
| That is great!
|
| As I attempted at expressing my view of the matterto Alan, keeping a
copy
| other than the immediate five days of backups appeales to me. No
specific
| reason, other than curiosity.
| Not sure if there would be a need for using that copy, but would it
work, as
| long as no applications have been installed since the date of the
copy?
| Thanks, again!
| BP
| ----------------
|
|
| "PCR" wrote:
|
| Just as Edwards said, you are right. SCANREG is the much better
option,
| as a knowledgeable one (cquirke) once said certain rare data forms
in
| the Registry will not be restored on EXPORT/IMPORT, which deals with
a
| text file. Another thing: Only ScanReg handles System.ini & Win.ini
with
| the Registry (System.dat & User.dat). Here a re few things I usually
| post, when ScanReg comes up...
|
| In the event Windows finds a problem with the Registry at boot, it
does
| no "/Fix", unless there is no backup to "/Restore". It will restore
an
| earlier Registry from "C:\Windows\Sysbckup".
|
| Firstly...
| http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=186909
| Registry Checker Continues to Detect Registry Damage
| ....better check the integrity of RAM (Memory), as that is often
| suspect, when Windows does it's auto-/Restore of the Registry at
boot...
| http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp RAM tester
| http://www.memtest86.com/ RAM tester
|
| But, to investigate your Registry backups...
|
| (1)
| (a) START, Settings, Folder Options, View tab.
| Bolt "Show all files" & UNcheck "Hide file extensions..."
|
| (b) "START, Find, F/F, RB???.cab".
| Those are the Registry backups, in Sysbckup\. Are there five,
| plus an RBbad? Are the dates consistent with each of the last five
| days you've successfully boot? What is the date on RBbad?
|
| (2) "START, Programs, MS-DOS Prompt". Then,
| (a) CD Windows\Sysbckup
| (b) DIR RB???.cab /od
| (c) Use the "Mark" button, outline with mouse, "Copy" & post for
| inspection.
|
| C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUPdir rb???.cab /od /a
| Directory of C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUP
|
| RB000 CAB 1,416,088 03-30-03 3:13p rb000.cab
| RB001 CAB 1,411,408 03-31-03 3:06p rb001.cab
| RB002 CAB 1,414,491 04-01-03 2:48p rb002.cab
| RBBAD CAB 1,399,569 04-02-03 5:06p rbbad.cab
| RB003 CAB 1,400,385 04-02-03 5:06p rb003.cab
| RB004 CAB 1,401,263 04-03-03 3:34p rb004.cab
| 6 file(s) 8,443,204 bytes
|
| Note, on 4/2 I did a Scanreg /Fix, which created the RBbad. It is
also
| created when Windows decides on it's own to replace a Registry with
one
| of the backups. Then, the Registry that was replaced ends up in
RBbad.
|
| One is created at the first successful boot per day, when all is
well.
| So, check those dates. When Windows detects a Registry corruption at
| boot, it will look for one of those backups to replace it with. If
there
| only is a very old one in there, it would explain a loss of recent
| changes to settings at reboot.
|
| Also check that "ScanRegistry" is checked in "START, Run, MSConfig,
| Startup tab". It should read:
|
| ScanRegistry c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
|
| Perhaps look inside "C:\Windows\Scanreg.ini". Here is how a normal
one
| should look...
|
| ......Scanreg.ini..........
| ;
| ; Scanreg.ini for making system backups.
| ;
|
| ;Registry backup is skipped altogether if this is set to 0
| Backup=1
|
| ;Registry automatic optimization is skipped if this is set to 0
| Optimize=1
|
| ScanregVersion=0.0001
| MaxBackupCopies=5
|
| ;Backup directory where the cabs are stored is
| ; windir\sysbckup by default. Value below overrides it.
| ; It must be a full path. ex. c:\tmp\backup
| ;
| BackupDirectory=
|
| ; Additional system files to backup into cab as follows:
| ; Filenames are separated by ','
| ; dir code can be:
| ; 10 : windir (ex. c:\windows)
| ; 11 : system dir (ex. c:\windows\system)
| ; 30 : boot dir (ex. c:\)
| ; 31 : boot host dir (ex. c:\)
| ;
| ;Files=[dir code,]file1,file2,file3
| ;Files=[dir code,]file1,file2,file3
| ......End......................
|
| Boot to DOS (hold Ctrl as you boot for the Startup Menu, & select
| "Command Prompt Only"), and Enter
|
| SCANREG /Restore
|
| It will offer five, one for each of the last five separate days you
| booted successfully. Start with the one of the day the problem
began, as
| these backups of the entire Registry (& System.ini & Win.ini) are
done
| at boot, not at shut down.
|
| CAVEAT: A /Restore restores settings only. If there was a file
change
| (other than to System.ini & Win.ini), those cannot be undone this
way.
| That could be a problem, especially if there was a hardware change
or
| large un/in-stall since the backup was made.
|
|
| --
| Thanks or Good Luck,
| There may be humor in this post, and,
| Naturally, you will not sue,
| should things get worse after this,
| PCR
|
| "BAP" wrote in message
| ...
| | Regarding Registry Commands or ways to get around registry
issues.
| There are
| | options that seem to be available to inexperienced users.
| |
| | REGEDIT allows you to EXPORT and IMPORT the current Registry.
Right
| | Clicking on the generated File, you get the MERGE Option. To me,
it
| does not
| | appear that the existing registry will be replaced with the
Exported
| copy,
| | since
| | MERGE implies that some entries will be overwritten, some
inserted
| and some
| | of the existing ones left untouched.
| | On he other end, when I choose to use the SCANREG /RESTORE option
| (issued at
| | the DOS Prompt) the existing Registry will be replaced by one of
the
| copies
| | backed up by the System.
| | I have no idea of how the IMPORT option deals with it all.
| |
| | Some time back, someone suggested to save a copy of one of the
| System’s
| | backed up Files, if one so desires, and make that available to the
| System
| | when the SCANREG /RESTORE option is used.
| |
| | Can anyone comment on my assumptions, clarify the various options
or
| | recommend the best way to deal
| | with this? Thank you in advance!
| | BP
|
|
|

RB002 CAB 1,414,491 04-01-03 2:48p rb002.cab
RBBAD CAB 1,399,569 04-02-03 5:06p rbbad.cab

Oh, man. No! RBBAD does not have the BLOATED look.

However, I feel rather certain a /Restore WILL create .cab of a
"BLOATED" size. It will be put into RB(next avail number).cab. It really
has no bloat, but the size is reported differently-- it's the
uncompacted sum of the contents of the RB..cab. And the contents will be
the Registry & other files that were replaced (the ones in effect just
before the /Restore). It will push out one of the other .cab's, as only
five plus RBbad will be kept under normal circumstances.

Or so I believe, but I'm not a swearing man!


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"PCR" wrote in message
...
| You are welcome. If you...
|
| (a) Do no installs or UNinstalls of apps that put tons of entries into
| the Registry
| (b) Do no un/in-stalls of hardware
| (c) Do not update drivers in Device Manager
| (d) Are willing to lose settings (& data even) that apps may put into
| the Registry
| (e) Do not move system folders to other partitions (ouch)
| (f) Who knows what else?
|
| I guess you may feel free to use an older one. Best thing really is to
| do a full system backup, that gets the Registry & everything else. You
| need 3rd party software for that. Want my list?
|
| Nevertheless, here is what I gathered from experimentation with
| /Restore...
|
| (1) After a /Restore, an RB...cab will show up that appears to be
| BLOATED. It really isn't larger, but that is only a marker to indicate
| it was replaced. I believe it is the Registry that was replaced, i.e.,
| it was the System.dat/User.dat/System.ini/Win.ini that were in effect
| before you did the /Restore. The files inside are still compacted. I
| never tried to /Restore one of those. Can it be they will not
/Restore?
| They will drop off as the days pass, & all will be normal sized again.
|
| (2) "RBbad.cab", if you have one, will retain it's date until the
| following should happen again. RBbad is created when...
|
| (a) You do a "Scanreg /Fix", or
| (b) Windows decides you have a corrupt Registry, & replaces it on it's
| own at boot.
|
| (3) Here is more I know (I think)...
|
| (a) "START, Run, Scanreg" will NOT create an RB..cab that looks
bloated.
| It does creates an RB..cab of the same date as the latest, IF it is
the
| same day as the most recent boot.
| (b) The RB..cab created at the most recent boot is marked "not
started"
| by /Restore in DOS.
| (c) The RB..cab created by "START, Run, Scanreg" is also "not started"
| (d) I was able to choose both "started" & "not started" in /Restore.
| (e) A /Restore DOES create a bloated RB(next available number).cab.
| (f) A Windows initiated auto-/Restore does same, but puts the bloat
into
| RBBAD.cab.
| (g) It appears there really is NO BLOAT, but the size of the cab is
just
| reported differently, just to indicate it was created by a /Restore.
The
| files inside are normal sized.
| (h) I have not attempted to /Restore a bloated one, but they are
| offered.
|
|
| --
| Thanks or Good Luck,
| There may be humor in this post, and,
| Naturally, you will not sue,
| should things get worse after this,
| PCR
|
| "BAP" wrote in message
| news | | Thanks, PCR!
| | Man, all you guys are overwhelming with so much knowledge!
| | That is great!
| |
| | As I attempted at expressing my view of the matterto Alan, keeping a
| copy
| | other than the immediate five days of backups appeales to me. No
| specific
| | reason, other than curiosity.
| | Not sure if there would be a need for using that copy, but would it
| work, as
| | long as no applications have been installed since the date of the
| copy?
| | Thanks, again!
| | BP
| | ----------------
| |
| |
| | "PCR" wrote:
| |
| | Just as Edwards said, you are right. SCANREG is the much better
| option,
| | as a knowledgeable one (cquirke) once said certain rare data forms
| in
| | the Registry will not be restored on EXPORT/IMPORT, which deals
with
| a
| | text file. Another thing: Only ScanReg handles System.ini &
Win.ini
| with
| | the Registry (System.dat & User.dat). Here a re few things I
usually
| | post, when ScanReg comes up...
| |
| | In the event Windows finds a problem with the Registry at boot, it
| does
| | no "/Fix", unless there is no backup to "/Restore". It will
restore
| an
| | earlier Registry from "C:\Windows\Sysbckup".
| |
| | Firstly...
| | http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=186909
| | Registry Checker Continues to Detect Registry Damage
| | ....better check the integrity of RAM (Memory), as that is often
| | suspect, when Windows does it's auto-/Restore of the Registry at
| boot...
| | http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp RAM tester
| | http://www.memtest86.com/ RAM tester
| |
| | But, to investigate your Registry backups...
| |
| | (1)
| | (a) START, Settings, Folder Options, View tab.
| | Bolt "Show all files" & UNcheck "Hide file extensions..."
| |
| | (b) "START, Find, F/F, RB???.cab".
| | Those are the Registry backups, in Sysbckup\. Are there
five,
| | plus an RBbad? Are the dates consistent with each of the last five
| | days you've successfully boot? What is the date on RBbad?
| |
| | (2) "START, Programs, MS-DOS Prompt". Then,
| | (a) CD Windows\Sysbckup
| | (b) DIR RB???.cab /od
| | (c) Use the "Mark" button, outline with mouse, "Copy" & post for
| | inspection.
| |
| | C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUPdir rb???.cab /od /a
| | Directory of C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUP
| |
| | RB000 CAB 1,416,088 03-30-03 3:13p rb000.cab
| | RB001 CAB 1,411,408 03-31-03 3:06p rb001.cab
| | RB002 CAB 1,414,491 04-01-03 2:48p rb002.cab
| | RBBAD CAB 1,399,569 04-02-03 5:06p rbbad.cab
| | RB003 CAB 1,400,385 04-02-03 5:06p rb003.cab
| | RB004 CAB 1,401,263 04-03-03 3:34p rb004.cab
| | 6 file(s) 8,443,204 bytes
| |
| | Note, on 4/2 I did a Scanreg /Fix, which created the RBbad. It is
| also
| | created when Windows decides on it's own to replace a Registry
with
| one
| | of the backups. Then, the Registry that was replaced ends up in
| RBbad.
| |
| | One is created at the first successful boot per day, when all is
| well.
| | So, check those dates. When Windows detects a Registry corruption
at
| | boot, it will look for one of those backups to replace it with. If
| there
| | only is a very old one in there, it would explain a loss of recent
| | changes to settings at reboot.
| |
| | Also check that "ScanRegistry" is checked in "START, Run,
MSConfig,
| | Startup tab". It should read:
| |
| | ScanRegistry c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
| |
| | Perhaps look inside "C:\Windows\Scanreg.ini". Here is how a normal
| one
| | should look...
| |
| | ......Scanreg.ini..........
| | ;
| | ; Scanreg.ini for making system backups.
| | ;
| |
| | ;Registry backup is skipped altogether if this is set to 0
| | Backup=1
| |
| | ;Registry automatic optimization is skipped if this is set to 0
| | Optimize=1
| |
| | ScanregVersion=0.0001
| | MaxBackupCopies=5
| |
| | ;Backup directory where the cabs are stored is
| | ; windir\sysbckup by default. Value below overrides it.
| | ; It must be a full path. ex. c:\tmp\backup
| | ;
| | BackupDirectory=
| |
| | ; Additional system files to backup into cab as follows:
| | ; Filenames are separated by ','
| | ; dir code can be:
| | ; 10 : windir (ex. c:\windows)
| | ; 11 : system dir (ex. c:\windows\system)
| | ; 30 : boot dir (ex. c:\)
| | ; 31 : boot host dir (ex. c:\)
| | ;
| | ;Files=[dir code,]file1,file2,file3
| | ;Files=[dir code,]file1,file2,file3
| | ......End......................
| |
| | Boot to DOS (hold Ctrl as you boot for the Startup Menu, & select
| | "Command Prompt Only"), and Enter
| |
| | SCANREG /Restore
| |
| | It will offer five, one for each of the last five separate days
you
| | booted successfully. Start with the one of the day the problem
| began, as
| | these backups of the entire Registry (& System.ini & Win.ini) are
| done
| | at boot, not at shut down.
| |
| | CAVEAT: A /Restore restores settings only. If there was a file
| change
| | (other than to System.ini & Win.ini), those cannot be undone this
| way.
| | That could be a problem, especially if there was a hardware change
| or
| | large un/in-stall since the backup was made.
| |
| |
| | --
| | Thanks or Good Luck,
| | There may be humor in this post, and,
| | Naturally, you will not sue,
| | should things get worse after this,
| | PCR
| |
| | "BAP" wrote in message
| | ...
| | | Regarding Registry Commands or ways to get around registry
| issues.
| | There are
| | | options that seem to be available to inexperienced users.
| | |
| | | REGEDIT allows you to EXPORT and IMPORT the current Registry.
| Right
| | | Clicking on the generated File, you get the MERGE Option. To me,
| it
| | does not
| | | appear that the existing registry will be replaced with the
| Exported
| | copy,
| | | since
| | | MERGE implies that some entries will be overwritten, some
| inserted
| | and some
| | | of the existing ones left untouched.
| | | On he other end, when I choose to use the SCANREG /RESTORE
option
| | (issued at
| | | the DOS Prompt) the existing Registry will be replaced by one
of
| the
| | copies
| | | backed up by the System.
| | | I have no idea of how the IMPORT option deals with it all.
| | |
| | | Some time back, someone suggested to save a copy of one of the
| | System’s
| | | backed up Files, if one so desires, and make that available to
the
| | System
| | | when the SCANREG /RESTORE option is used.
| | |
| | | Can anyone comment on my assumptions, clarify the various
options
| or
| | | recommend the best way to deal
| | | with this? Thank you in advance!
| | | BP
| |
| |
| |
|
|