total system restore

I deleted a registry key and now have system problems which I haven't been able to fix with Windows System Restore. So I'm planning to go through the System Recovery proceedure with the discs I made at initial installation. I'd like to save my Applications,settings and data. So, if I get a program that copies the whole system on CDs and go through the Windows Restoration will I just have to read back the CD's to have the system identical to before the registry delete?

 

Hi salschifano,

Before you do a whole system save,you may want to have a look at
this article: Non destructive repair for XP
http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/personaltech/189500364
You may want to save personal data,but you don't have to save the whole disk contents.

Pete.

 

I don't have a "start up disc" since the system came with xp already installed. I do have a set of Rcovery Disc's which I made when I first brought the system up. Do you think they're eqivalent? I'll think Ill try bringing up the system with them and see if it looks like what Langer describes.

 

Hello salschifano,

No, they are not I'm afraid. "Recovery" means back to the Factory image.

Look into contacting the OEM for the possibility of getting an XP disc for a hopefully nominal fee.

 

Not so fast-Hang on for a minute doing that
Restore discs as well as the restore function of a pre-installed OS
with recovery partition have the annoying habit of wiping out your data.
They just restore to factory settings.
Your discs may be different,so I can't pre-judge,but that's my general experience.
If anything is different from the article in the way it describes the approach,
stop immediately or you will lose all your data.

Since you made those discs from the start,that's what you will have,
so save all your data first and collect all your drivers for every component
in the system plus all your software setup files, addressbook ,Favorites files,
email client files.

I always keep a separate drive for "occasions" like this.
I do a clone and then do a fresh install on the corrupted drive,
then transfer those items mentioned above,either by setting the cloned drive as a slave or using a USB adapter on the clone to transfer my stuff.
Obviously you can put it all on CDs or DVDs,but it's a bit of a pain

Pete.

 

Thanks, You problably saved my sanity.

 

Thanks, I understand and will proceed with more caution.