Does service pack 2 backup a copy of the registry that can be recovered?

I tried to install Service pack 2 on my xp professional computer. It failed and then tried to restore the old config but it did not work correclty. As a result the computer could not start windows explorer after bootup(even in safe mode)

I went into the repair console and backed up the corrupted registry and then copied the default registry from winnt\repair and this got the system to boot up again.

Now I need to know where service pack two would have backed up and saved a copy of my original registry so I can resore it. I hoipe it did this I should have done it myself before I tried this but it was late and I messed up.

The main thing I need in the old registry is my Sound Blaster Audigy entries so I can map out some sound sample bank orders then I will reformat and install fresh.

If anyone can help I would appreiciate it.

 

Hello sixshot,

I don't think SP2 in it's uninstall files saves a copy.

How did you try to uninstall? The procedure should be Control Panel > Add/Remove SP2 and then use the Restore point SP2 created. That restore point contains a copy of the Registry prior to the install.

When you write "It failed and then tried to restore the old config but it did not work correclty. ", what didn't work properly, System Restore? If so, do you have a lot of restore points? Or did you use the "Last Known Good Configuration" bootup feature? If so, this from MS Help and Support:

Choosing Last Known Good Configuration provides a way to recover from problems such as a newly added driver that may be incorrect for your hardware. It does not solve problems caused by corrupted or missing drivers or files.

When you choose Last Known Good Configuration, Windows restores information in registry key HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet only. Any changes you have made in other registry keys remain.


Do you have a restore point at or near prior to SP2 install?

Regards - Charles

 

It got about 3/4 finished with installing service pack 2. I then got migration errors durring the proccess and was given the option to send a bug report to microsoft or not on each(standard). After the third time the installation dialogue just disapeared from my screen. I rebooted the computer. When it started back up it said service pak 2 installation was interuped and that it was going to restore the old config. I waited for it to finish. It then took me to me to the login screen(very slow to get there). After I logged in it showed my background wallpaer but then said there was an error and that it could not start up windows explorer and gave me the option to send a report to microsoft. I could get to the task manager but none of the option would work. It even did this in safe mode. There was no way i could find to get back into windows. As a last resort i went into the repair console and backed up the registry files in winnt\system32\config and replaced them with the ones in the winnt\repair directory. This worked and got me back into windows but without my old registry. I isolated it down the the software file in winnt\system32\config that is causing this. if i replace all the other registry files but leave the software one the computer still wont get into windows without win explorer failing. I tried the last known good configuration from the f8 option at reboot this would not fix it. I tried going into the system volume info directory on c: for a snapshot but there were no restore points there except rp0 and that had no snapshot file or directory.