Windows Registry Checker Tool (scanreg.exe)
Kody Baril
I messed up the Windows registry. I should be able to restore it to a previous state because Windows keeps a backup in C:\Windows\System32\Config I think. There used to be a tool called Windows Registry Checker Tool (scanreg.exe) that would allow you to not only restore to a previous Windows registry state but also to take backup of the current one, by using one of the two commands below.
But I am using Windows Vista, and apparently they have removed this from Vista and newer versions of Windows. So how do I do something like this in Windows Vista? Is there an alternative to scanreg.exe? Is there another way to backup and restore Windows registry?
If you cannot boot into Windows normal mode nor into safe mode, you can try performing a startup repair, and at the same time restore the system to a restore point before the incident by using WinPE/WinRE.
Log in or Sign up to hide this advert. 2004/07/02merlinInactiveJoined:2003/01/07Messages:1,111Likes Received:0 We have similar posts on the board (search for them, since you seem to be able to get to the board from some PC) and it seems in most cases that windows boot detects an unloadable system file, tries to recover the latest of previous versions but the latest copy is also bad.
What do you have for system file backups ?
I do not use the standard Win98 backups at all and have forgotten their
names (RB001 etc ?) but Ann will tell you their names and about using
the registry restore program from DOS.
regards merlin,#32004/07/02goddez1InactiveJoined:2002/01/12Messages:2,975Likes Received:49 Hello again,
It seems, between the two posts, you have gathered quite a few friendly helpers all with suggestions. Are you confused yet???? Have you been able to piece together enough of the information to make a logical plan of attack(fix)? Need that Step-By-Step?
Also..You may or may not be aware but it is best to keep the current posted Topic or problem and any directly related issue in the same post. Spreading them out causes confusion and multiple duplicate ways to fix the problem. It makes it hard to keep track of what has been done and what needs to be done. You can add to your original post by opening it and hitting the reply button from with in the box. You may have tried to separate your two questions, 1)scanreg and 2)win reinstall but as they're related they could have gone into the same post. So here's the crosslink for the other ongoing post. I'm sure the =32326 all powerful moderators will come along and glue them together at some point.
Description of the Windows Registry Checker Tool (Scanreg.exe)
SUMMARY
When you start your computer successfully, the Windows Registry Checker tool (Scanreg.exe) creates a backup of system files and registry configuration information (including user account information, protocol bindings, software program settings, and user preferences) once daily. Files that Windows Registry Checker backs up include System.dat, User.dat, System.ini, and Win.ini. This article describes the Windows Registry Checker tool.These backups will be stored in the \windows\sysbackup folder as rb***.cab files where *** is a number between 001 and 005 (5 days/dated backups are kept by default). If you have a regsitry problem all you normally need to do is to boot to a DOS prompt and enter the command SCANREG /RESTORE and then choose from the 5 available backups, one that predates the problem.See:
=kb;EN-US;183887
Error Message: You Have Restored a Good Registry...
SYMPTOMS
When you start your computer, you may receive the following error message:
You have restored a good registry. Windows found an error in your system files and restored a recent backup of the files to fix the problem. When you restart your computer, you may receive the error message again. See:
=201655
How to Manually Restore the Windows 98/Me Registry
SUMMARY
This article describes how to restore a backup copy of the Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition (Me) registry.See:
=221512
As for reinstalling windows on top of it's self; When Setup finds previous registry files it doesn't replace the registry,chances are that any problem there (the registry that is) would still remain. Removing or renaming the SYSTEM.DAT and SYSTEM.DA0 files from your Windows folder before reinstalling can be used and may solve whatever problem you're experiencing. You may also, however, need to rename/remove the USER.DAT and USER.DA0 files, but that will require you to reinstall most of your applications too. If this wasn't a registry problem an "Over the Top" install would not (in most cases) effect your other programs and personal files. However ..(seems like there's always a but doesn't it).. you would lose any customized settings, such as preferences for themes, sounds, fonts etc.; previously used or set in windows. You will have to stop by windows update site to see if you have lost any updates. Some of these, although not all, may have been overwritten or lost. "Reinstall" is always used as last ditch effort when you have nothing else left to try and are facing a clean install anyway. It is not the best recovery method but may work in a pinch.
Things can become even more complicated if this is an OEM install rather than a shelfed store bought version.
==========
As a side note..
Perhaps a c:\ prompt scandisk using the thorough option may be needed. It maybe possible that the harddrive has damage (a bad sector or two) that system files are trying use during a read/write. See:
From the boot menu option screen choose "c:\ prompt ".
At the MS-DOS command prompt, type:
scandisk.exe /all /surface
Follow the on-screen instructions and fix any problems that ScanDisk finds.
Perhaps these questions should have been covered from the get-go but better late than never.
*How did you find yourself in this mess? What started it?
*Can you describe and quote the bootup process and any messages or errors your getting?
*What message is scanreg giving you, is it restoring a registry backup or is it attempting to fix your current one?
*After it does this and proceeds to load windows do you get an error or message here such as windows has detected.... or windows was unable to start because... etc.
It may also help to know if any errors are going on behind the win98 clouds. You can temporarily suspend the clouds if you hit the tab key while the clouds (bootup logo) are running. The other option is to edit the msdos.sys file with the Logo=0 command:
Give me a minute why I double check my step instructions for this....on second thought, see if the tab key suspension works for you. The edit involves, at this point, a manual file edit using the c:\prompt command edit and the application that results from that command. I'm pretty sure you don't want to do this unless you have to (and you don't). Last edited: 2004/07/02Anngoddez1,#4Show Ignored Content /* /* ]]> */ Thread Status:Not open for further replies.Share This PageTweet
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