System Restore not working.

I tried everything on this post and it did not work. The error message after the "copy_registry" command was- "copy _registry_machine_system c:\windows\system32\config\system is not recognized as an internal or external command, inoperable program or batch file." When I got down to the "ren system system.bak" I got the following error message- "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process. If nobody knows where to go from here, I will start a new thread. (I do not have another OS to boot to.)

 

Hi kits,

This procedure will only work IF System Restore was enabled on the drive at the time of the failure to boot. I'm sure you knew that but I thought best to mention it to clarify for all time.

I have tested the procedure I outlined earlier and it works well however I will outline it again and try to clarify it fully and also make the assumption that access will be denied and perform that operation first.

1. Boot to a Recovery Console session.
2. Type the system # you want to log on to. <enter>
3. Type the Administrator password if you have created one, otherwise leave it blank and press Enter.
4. The prompt should be C:\Windows>
5. Type cd \ <enter>
6. The prompt should be C:\>
7. Type cd windows\system32\config <enter>
8. The prompt should be C:\windows\system32\config>
9. Type ren system system.old <enter>
10. Type exit <enter>

PC will reboot. Direct it back to another Recovery Console session using steps 1 through 3 above.

11. The prompt should be C:\Windows>
12. Type cd \ <enter>
13. The prompt should be C:\>
14. Type cd system~1\_resto~1 <enter>
15. The prompt should be C:\system~1\_resto~1>
16. Type dir <enter>
17. You should get a list of files and folders including several RP folders that have numbers such as RP1, RP2, RP3, RP4, etc.
18. Type cd RP# <enter>(where RP# is the next to the last RP# listed, that would be RP3 for the example given above.)
19. The prompt should be C:\system~1\_resto~1\RP3> or whatever RP# you entered.
20. Type cd snapshot <enter>
21. The prompt should be C:\system~1\_resto~1\RP3\snapshot>
22. Type copy _registry_machine_system C:\windows\system32\config\system <enter> It should say "1 file copied "
23. Type copy _registry_machine_software C:\windows\system32\config\software <enter> Allow it to overwrite if asked. It should then say "1 file copied "
24. Type exit <enter> The PC should reboot to Windows.

 

Print that out so that you can easily follow it and also make for easier detection of the necessary spaces in the commands.

If anything deviates from what I have outlined, post back what step that occurred in.

If you hit a snag and get an error, report the step # you were executing and the error given.

 

System Restore still not working

OK. This right here is a problem. System Restore was enabled and in fact I have over 200 restore points. but when I run it from in Windows, I get the following message: "System Restore is not able to protect your computer. Please restart your computer, and then run System Restore again. "

When I do this I don't automatically get a prompt, but have to open one and navigate to the proper directory.

When I do this, I get the following message: "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process. ".

So at this point I am at a loss as to what to do next...but this step actually works correctly!

Thanks for your help, now and in the future...
Kits

 

If you're sure you're in a good and proper Recovery Console session by selecting the first "R" to repair the system, then I'm afraid you have the problem that I mentioned in my earlier post:

Sorry, but it looks like you're out of luck. You could try a BartPE CD. That allows access to NTFS files but I'm not sure it will work in your situation. I have never had that problem to test it with. It's worth a shot to access your personal data and save it before doing a clean install.

 

kits, FWIW I have performed an experiment (deleted my SAM hive) and can now confirm that the BartPE boot CD will be able to copy the files from the System Volume Information\system Restore folder and repair a non-bootable system even if the SAM hive is missing or corrupt. The same repairs could not be made using the Recovery Console. They also could not be made by Safe Mode booting to a command line session. I should add than only a masochist would use the Recovery Console kludge in most situations.

That makes a BartPE look like a virtual necessity to ease system repairs. It can also repair the Registry when the System Restore wasn't activated by copying the backup Registry hives from the Repair folder or any other source available. It's also very handy for gaining access to a non-bootable system and retrieving personal data and copying it to other media.

 

That doesn't sound like you were actually in a Recovery Console session.

You need to do that this way:

1. Boot with the Windows XP CD in the drive bay.
2. Allow Windows XP to Begin the Setup Process.
3. When given the choices of what you want to do, type R to Enter Recovery Console. <press enter>
4. Choose the Windows Installation by typing the number listed. <press enter>
5. Enter the Administrator Password or leave it blank if you haven't assigned one. Press enter and you should get a prompt that says C:\Windows>.

You should not have to do anything other than that to get to a command prompt as given.

 

restore in xp

Whew. I have been too busy to work on my PC last night and today. I will try the bartpe cd as soon as I can and let you know what happens. You know, I wasn't in Sys. Restore. I got confused with the safe mode and the restore option on the f8 menu at boot-up. Also I will try the Sys. restore from the XP cd first.
Thanks!

 

Win XP restore-Not Good

Surferdude,
Well, everything was going according to the inst. for restore, but when I rebooted, NOTHING!!!!!! No Windows, nothing but a black screen and I am not even able to turn it off to boot from cd again. I've got a really bad feeling of dread. What do you suggest?

 

I can't explain what went wrong there since you didn't relate as to what step you were performing and what on-screen messages you got while doing the commands. That's a moot point now.

Now you have arrived at another choice. You have two options. Either use a BartPE CD to access the system and make repairs or else perform Repair Install of the system. Click Here
for Repair Install instructions.

 

More Info

This is what happened:
when I got to the end of the restore session w/XP CD the PC rebooted. It was after this that I got the black screen. I took the CD out before reboot-I don't know if I should have...

Question- I have about 269 restore points. Is this normal? They are all dated, of course. Any help is much appreciated!

 

That's not unusual since the default space assignment for System Restore is 12% of the free drive space. That's a sizable amount on todays larger drives. The number of RP's stored will be purged or increased as needed to meet that quota.

I recommend that you try the procedure again using a different RP#. Since this is command line mode, you must be precise in your syntax since any deviation will result in rejection or an error that make your effort fail.

Alternately, as I have previously stated, using a BartPE bootable CD would be much easier since it doesn't require any command line proficiency. Build your own or borrow one from a friend. Anybody that works on systems will no doubt have one.

Don't give up and keep posting your progress. It's important that you post ALL details since any error you get might point to another problem or solution possibility.

 

Can I build a BartPE cd in dos? I didn't make one before the restore and now cannot get into windows. Thanks.

 

No, it must be done in Windows. It's quite a long process and requires access to items not available in a DOS or any command line mode.

 

I didn't get a chance to make a bartpe cd before my windows got trashed. Also, I do not know anyone who has a bartpe cd. Is it possible to make one in dos? If so do you have directions? Thanks.

IGNORE THIS--MADE A MISTAKE!!!!!

 

Build a BartPE Boot CD Instructions.

That's the only way it's done that I know of.