registry procedure?

Without using the System Restore, is there a procedure somewhere that
defines how to restore (copy) a registry back to the HD?

I mean if windows won't bootup, but safe mode or the command prompt
is available..

Weekly, i make a copy (export) of my reg to an external HD (a hold-over
from by-gone days) and it ocurred to me, that i didn't know if there was a
recommended procedure for this. Like, what steps to do and what, if any,
other files should be backed up also.

I did a search here for registry and got 500 hits, a little much to wade
through........

thanks,
clif

 

I'll get the erunt, seen comments about it posted here.

Can't use the MS procedure because i have an OEM versoin of XP.

Thanks,
savagcl