Re: registry corrupt, need help to recover

AmyNY <AmyNY.2v1kog@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote on Wed, 8 Aug 2007:


So I copied from windows/repair the software and system files. Now I
can log in but for all users can only see the wallpaper and nothing
more. If I do alt,ctrl.del I can see the processes running. What
should I do next?


Hi Amy

The registry files in \Repair are the original ones made when XP was
first installed, so that's why you're not seeing your familiar desktop.
Did you have System Restore enabled before the trouble started? If so,
you need to now run a restore, obviously choosing a restore point from
before the registry fixer was used! That should restore your settings to
normal. The way I read the Microsoft Knowledge Base article on this,
having an OEM installation is only an issue if you're having to use the
Recovery Console to access the files. I recently rescued a friend's Home
OEM installation with no problems after booting from a "live" CD.

Just out of interest, it's possible -- if you can access the drive from
one of these CDs or by hooking it up to another computer, as you did --
to replace recent registry files directly from the system restore
folders, so you don't have to use the virgin ones from \Repair. If
anyone wants more info, there's a step-by-step in my post at:
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/43c2080973c0fdb4

But hopefully you won't have to do this again! I'd strongly recommend
that once you have everything working again you install ERUNT, a
marvellous free program that will make daily backups (or however often
you want) of your registry files and replace them for you. Get it here:
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

As for registry fixers/cleaners -- most here advise against using them
for just this reason. I can't go that far because I do use one
occasionally, but usually only to search for any remnants of unwanted
programs left behind after uninstall. If you do use one, my golden rules
are: do *not* let the program "fix" any "problems" it might find
automatically (most of time these entries are harmless); do *not* remove
anything unless a) you know exactly what it is and what it does (Google
is a great help here); b) you are *sure* your system doesn't need it,
and c) you have a current registry backup and a way to restore it
(ERUNT) :-)

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

--
Nightowl
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Restoring registry
    ... that backup? ... registry files are in use. ... the System Restore utility to do the restore. ... By booting the machine into Recovery Console mode. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Restoring registry
    ... "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote: ... registry files are in use. ... the System Restore utility to do the restore. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Restoring registry
    ... See solution to getting System Restore to work in my new thread entitled ... Norton Internet Security BLOCKS System Restore!!!" ... "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote: ... registry files are in use. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Restoring registry
    ... registry files are in use. ... the System Restore utility to do the restore. ... The URL you gave me indirectly links to BartPE (Bart has pretty lengthy ... By booting the machine into Recovery Console mode. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Restoring registry
    ... *** are subject to locked registry files. ... or "system state" files that should be replaced from the System Restore ... By booting the machine into Recovery Console mode. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
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