Windows XP repair followed by restore

[Guest JDGuymon]

My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original operating

system CD. After that, my installed programs are not recognized.

Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the C:\System

Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files, one from the

original installation and one from the new repair. If I try to restore now,

it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired installation. How do I point

the system to the original restore files so I can access them? Is there a

change that can be made in the registry? Is there another way to complete

the restore?

Thanks.

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

How did you perform the repair install? That should not have uninstalled

any programs. What programs are you talking about?

 

"JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:F347C5B9-4A81-4386-9BB9-447D18C4FAF9@microsoft.com...

> My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original

> operating

> system CD. After that, my installed programs are not recognized.

> Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

> I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the

> C:\System

> Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files, one from the

> original installation and one from the new repair. If I try to restore

> now,

> it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired installation. How do I

> point

> the system to the original restore files so I can access them? Is there a

> change that can be made in the registry? Is there another way to complete

> the restore?

> Thanks.

[Guest JDGuymon]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

I did the repair from the windows installation disk. My understanding of

this process was that everything would be intact. However, when complete, it

was like a new installation of windows with all the factory defaults. Only

difference is, all of my installed programs (office, adobe, etc) are still

there, but they are not recognized by the OS and will not run. They are not

uninstalled, the OS just isn't aware of them.

 

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> How did you perform the repair install? That should not have uninstalled

> any programs. What programs are you talking about?

>

> "JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:F347C5B9-4A81-4386-9BB9-447D18C4FAF9@microsoft.com...

> > My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original

> > operating

> > system CD. After that, my installed programs are not recognized.

> > Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

> > I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the

> > C:\System

> > Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files, one from the

> > original installation and one from the new repair. If I try to restore

> > now,

> > it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired installation. How do I

> > point

> > the system to the original restore files so I can access them? Is there a

> > change that can be made in the registry? Is there another way to complete

> > the restore?

> > Thanks.

>

[Guest Big Al]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

JDGuymon wrote:

> I did the repair from the windows installation disk. My understanding of

> this process was that everything would be intact. However, when complete, it

> was like a new installation of windows with all the factory defaults. Only

> difference is, all of my installed programs (office, adobe, etc) are still

> there, but they are not recognized by the OS and will not run. They are not

> uninstalled, the OS just isn't aware of them.

>

> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

>

>> How did you perform the repair install? That should not have uninstalled

>> any programs. What programs are you talking about?

>>

>> "JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:F347C5B9-4A81-4386-9BB9-447D18C4FAF9@microsoft.com...

>>> My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original

>>> operating

>>> system CD. After that, my installed programs are not recognized.

>>> Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

>>> I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the

>>> C:\System

>>> Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files, one from the

>>> original installation and one from the new repair. If I try to restore

>>> now,

>>> it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired installation. How do I

>>> point

>>> the system to the original restore files so I can access them? Is there a

>>> change that can be made in the registry? Is there another way to complete

>>> the restore?

>>> Thanks.

I'll be interested to hear this thread. Every time I do a restore I

get the same thing. I suspect the registry is re-written and of course

any knowledge of installed items is gone.

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

They may still be on the disk but they are uninstalled. Installation

registers the components of the software in the registry. Until this is

done they are not installed and will not run. Reinstall the programs.

 

"JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:FC2461F1-6879-40E3-B8BA-2DA62826561E@microsoft.com...

>I did the repair from the windows installation disk. My understanding of

> this process was that everything would be intact. However, when complete,

> it

> was like a new installation of windows with all the factory defaults.

> Only

> difference is, all of my installed programs (office, adobe, etc) are still

> there, but they are not recognized by the OS and will not run. They are

> not

> uninstalled, the OS just isn't aware of them.

>

> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

>

>> How did you perform the repair install? That should not have uninstalled

>> any programs. What programs are you talking about?

>>

>> "JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:F347C5B9-4A81-4386-9BB9-447D18C4FAF9@microsoft.com...

>> > My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original

>> > operating

>> > system CD. After that, my installed programs are not recognized.

>> > Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

>> > I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the

>> > C:\System

>> > Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files, one from the

>> > original installation and one from the new repair. If I try to restore

>> > now,

>> > it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired installation. How do I

>> > point

>> > the system to the original restore files so I can access them? Is

>> > there a

>> > change that can be made in the registry? Is there another way to

>> > complete

>> > the restore?

>> > Thanks.

>>

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

Do a search on microsoft.com on "repair install windows xp" and read the

method. It is possible to miss the second 'r' during the text phase of

Setup (the first 'r' is the recovery console and the second is repair

install) and do an overwrite of Windows instead.

 

I have never performed a repair install of xp (any version) which resulted

in uninstalled software.

 

"Big Al" <BigAl@nowhere.com> wrote in message

news:xSEEj.6488$sw3.2457@trnddc06...

> JDGuymon wrote:

>> I did the repair from the windows installation disk. My understanding of

>> this process was that everything would be intact. However, when

>> complete, it was like a new installation of windows with all the factory

>> defaults. Only difference is, all of my installed programs (office,

>> adobe, etc) are still there, but they are not recognized by the OS and

>> will not run. They are not uninstalled, the OS just isn't aware of them.

>>

>> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

>>

>>> How did you perform the repair install? That should not have

>>> uninstalled any programs. What programs are you talking about?

>>>

>>> "JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>>> news:F347C5B9-4A81-4386-9BB9-447D18C4FAF9@microsoft.com...

>>>> My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original

>>>> operating

>>>> system CD. After that, my installed programs are not recognized.

>>>> Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

>>>> I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the

>>>> C:\System

>>>> Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files, one from the

>>>> original installation and one from the new repair. If I try to restore

>>>> now,

>>>> it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired installation. How do I

>>>> point

>>>> the system to the original restore files so I can access them? Is

>>>> there a

>>>> change that can be made in the registry? Is there another way to

>>>> complete

>>>> the restore?

>>>> Thanks.

> I'll be interested to hear this thread. Every time I do a restore I get

> the same thing. I suspect the registry is re-written and of course any

> knowledge of installed items is gone.

[Guest PD43]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote:

>Do a search on microsoft.com on "repair install windows xp" and read the

>method. It is possible to miss the second 'r' during the text phase of

>Setup (the first 'r' is the recovery console and the second is repair

>install) and do an overwrite of Windows instead.

>

>I have never performed a repair install of xp (any version) which resulted

>in uninstalled software.

 

Nor have I.

[Guest sgopus]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

it appears you didn't do a repair, but a new install without format, this

will leave uninstalled software, now that things are really hosed up, it's

time to consider starting over again, with a format and clean install of

windows and other software.

 

"JDGuymon" wrote:

> I did the repair from the windows installation disk. My understanding of

> this process was that everything would be intact. However, when complete, it

> was like a new installation of windows with all the factory defaults. Only

> difference is, all of my installed programs (office, adobe, etc) are still

> there, but they are not recognized by the OS and will not run. They are not

> uninstalled, the OS just isn't aware of them.

>

> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

>

> > How did you perform the repair install? That should not have uninstalled

> > any programs. What programs are you talking about?

> >

> > "JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> > news:F347C5B9-4A81-4386-9BB9-447D18C4FAF9@microsoft.com...

> > > My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original

> > > operating

> > > system CD. After that, my installed programs are not recognized.

> > > Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

> > > I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the

> > > C:\System

> > > Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files, one from the

> > > original installation and one from the new repair. If I try to restore

> > > now,

> > > it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired installation. How do I

> > > point

> > > the system to the original restore files so I can access them? Is there a

> > > change that can be made in the registry? Is there another way to complete

> > > the restore?

> > > Thanks.

> >

[Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

I agree with the others. It sounds like you used the OEM System Recovery

(don't confuse with System Restore) disk that came with the machine and have

returned the machine to OOBE (Out Of Box Experience) state. The fact that

your other applications are still present strongly suggests that the

machine's in a "confused" state. Consult the machine manufacturer's support

pages for instructions on using the Recovery disk properly.

 

Good luck!

--

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)

MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net

DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

 

 

JDGuymon wrote:

> I did the repair from the windows installation disk. My understanding of

> this process was that everything would be intact. However, when complete,

> it was like a new installation of windows with all the factory defaults.

> Only difference is, all of my installed programs (office, adobe, etc) are

> still there, but they are not recognized by the OS and will not run. They

> are not uninstalled, the OS just isn't aware of them.

>

> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

>

>> How did you perform the repair install? That should not have uninstalled

>> any programs. What programs are you talking about?

>>

>> "JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:F347C5B9-4A81-4386-9BB9-447D18C4FAF9@microsoft.com...

>>> My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original

>>> operating

>>> system CD. After that, my installed programs are not recognized.

>>> Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

>>> I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the

>>> C:\System

>>> Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files, one from the

>>> original installation and one from the new repair. If I try to restore

>>> now,

>>> it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired installation. How do I

>>> point

>>> the system to the original restore files so I can access them? Is there

>>> a

>>> change that can be made in the registry? Is there another way to

>>> complete

>>> the restore?

>>> Thanks.

[Guest JDGuymon]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

But can anyone answer the question about whether the existing restore files

can be used. They are present. I just need to access them. There must be a

registry entry that points to these files...

 

"sgopus" wrote:

> it appears you didn't do a repair, but a new install without format, this

> will leave uninstalled software, now that things are really hosed up, it's

> time to consider starting over again, with a format and clean install of

> windows and other software.

>

> "JDGuymon" wrote:

>

> > I did the repair from the windows installation disk. My understanding of

> > this process was that everything would be intact. However, when complete, it

> > was like a new installation of windows with all the factory defaults. Only

> > difference is, all of my installed programs (office, adobe, etc) are still

> > there, but they are not recognized by the OS and will not run. They are not

> > uninstalled, the OS just isn't aware of them.

> >

> > "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> >

> > > How did you perform the repair install? That should not have uninstalled

> > > any programs. What programs are you talking about?

> > >

> > > "JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> > > news:F347C5B9-4A81-4386-9BB9-447D18C4FAF9@microsoft.com...

> > > > My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original

> > > > operating

> > > > system CD. After that, my installed programs are not recognized.

> > > > Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

> > > > I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the

> > > > C:\System

> > > > Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files, one from the

> > > > original installation and one from the new repair. If I try to restore

> > > > now,

> > > > it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired installation. How do I

> > > > point

> > > > the system to the original restore files so I can access them? Is there a

> > > > change that can be made in the registry? Is there another way to complete

> > > > the restore?

> > > > Thanks.

> > >

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

If you are talking about system restore files, I don't think so.

 

"JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:05FBE900-2E4E-48B0-8641-52BA803A5E29@microsoft.com...

> But can anyone answer the question about whether the existing restore

> files

> can be used. They are present. I just need to access them. There must

> be a

> registry entry that points to these files...

>

> "sgopus" wrote:

>

>> it appears you didn't do a repair, but a new install without format, this

>> will leave uninstalled software, now that things are really hosed up,

>> it's

>> time to consider starting over again, with a format and clean install of

>> windows and other software.

>>

>> "JDGuymon" wrote:

>>

>> > I did the repair from the windows installation disk. My understanding

>> > of

>> > this process was that everything would be intact. However, when

>> > complete, it

>> > was like a new installation of windows with all the factory defaults.

>> > Only

>> > difference is, all of my installed programs (office, adobe, etc) are

>> > still

>> > there, but they are not recognized by the OS and will not run. They

>> > are not

>> > uninstalled, the OS just isn't aware of them.

>> >

>> > "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

>> >

>> > > How did you perform the repair install? That should not have

>> > > uninstalled

>> > > any programs. What programs are you talking about?

>> > >

>> > > "JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> > > news:F347C5B9-4A81-4386-9BB9-447D18C4FAF9@microsoft.com...

>> > > > My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original

>> > > > operating

>> > > > system CD. After that, my installed programs are not recognized.

>> > > > Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

>> > > > I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the

>> > > > C:\System

>> > > > Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files, one from

>> > > > the

>> > > > original installation and one from the new repair. If I try to

>> > > > restore

>> > > > now,

>> > > > it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired installation. How

>> > > > do I

>> > > > point

>> > > > the system to the original restore files so I can access them? Is

>> > > > there a

>> > > > change that can be made in the registry? Is there another way to

>> > > > complete

>> > > > the restore?

>> > > > Thanks.

>> > >

[Guest sgopus]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

NO, they shouldn't be used! it would only add to the problem.

you've got massive issues, that need to be resolved via a clean install.

 

backup what data you can access and start over.

 

"JDGuymon" wrote:

> But can anyone answer the question about whether the existing restore files

> can be used. They are present. I just need to access them. There must be a

> registry entry that points to these files...

>

> "sgopus" wrote:

>

> > it appears you didn't do a repair, but a new install without format, this

> > will leave uninstalled software, now that things are really hosed up, it's

> > time to consider starting over again, with a format and clean install of

> > windows and other software.

> >

> > "JDGuymon" wrote:

> >

> > > I did the repair from the windows installation disk. My understanding of

> > > this process was that everything would be intact. However, when complete, it

> > > was like a new installation of windows with all the factory defaults. Only

> > > difference is, all of my installed programs (office, adobe, etc) are still

> > > there, but they are not recognized by the OS and will not run. They are not

> > > uninstalled, the OS just isn't aware of them.

> > >

> > > "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> > >

> > > > How did you perform the repair install? That should not have uninstalled

> > > > any programs. What programs are you talking about?

> > > >

> > > > "JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> > > > news:F347C5B9-4A81-4386-9BB9-447D18C4FAF9@microsoft.com...

> > > > > My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original

> > > > > operating

> > > > > system CD. After that, my installed programs are not recognized.

> > > > > Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

> > > > > I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the

> > > > > C:\System

> > > > > Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files, one from the

> > > > > original installation and one from the new repair. If I try to restore

> > > > > now,

> > > > > it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired installation. How do I

> > > > > point

> > > > > the system to the original restore files so I can access them? Is there a

> > > > > change that can be made in the registry? Is there another way to complete

> > > > > the restore?

> > > > > Thanks.

> > > >

[Guest PD43]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

JDGuymon <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>But can anyone answer the question about whether the existing restore files

>can be used. They are present. I just need to access them. There must be a

>registry entry that points to these files...

 

No. Each program makes its own registry entries when it's installed.

You have no option other than to reinstall your programs.

[Guest Daave]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

sgopus wrote:

> NO, they shouldn't be used! it would only add to the problem.

> you've got massive issues, that need to be resolved via a clean

> install.

 

If OP is going to perform a clean install *anyway*, then what's the harm

in trying a System Restore (provided the first thing he does is back up

all the data he can)?

> backup what data you can access and start over.

 

Yes! It cannot be stressed enough that backing up data is *very*

important!

[Guest Daave]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

I got the impression that OP used an installation disk (he never gave

enough details, though). If he did, is it possible he performed the

steps of Method 3 listed here?:

 

"How to install or upgrade to Windows XP"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941

 

That is, was a parallel installation done? And if the original

installation is still on the drive, can OP boot off of *that*?

 

 

 

PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:

> I agree with the others. It sounds like you used the OEM System

> Recovery (don't confuse with System Restore) disk that came with the

> machine and have returned the machine to OOBE (Out Of Box Experience)

> state. The fact that your other applications are still present

> strongly suggests that the machine's in a "confused" state. Consult

> the machine manufacturer's support pages for instructions on using

> the Recovery disk properly.

>

> Good luck!

>

> JDGuymon wrote:

>> I did the repair from the windows installation disk. My

>> understanding of this process was that everything would be intact.

>> However, when complete, it was like a new installation of windows

>> with all the factory defaults. Only difference is, all of my

>> installed programs (office, adobe, etc) are still there, but they

>> are not recognized by the OS and will not run. They are not

>> uninstalled, the OS just isn't aware of them.

>>

>> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

>>

>>> How did you perform the repair install? That should not have

>>> uninstalled any programs. What programs are you talking about?

>>>

>>> "JDGuymon" <JDGuymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>>> news:F347C5B9-4A81-4386-9BB9-447D18C4FAF9@microsoft.com...

>>>> My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original

>>>> operating

>>>> system CD. After that, my installed programs are not recognized.

>>>> Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

>>>> I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the

>>>> C:\System

>>>> Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files, one from

>>>> the original installation and one from the new repair. If I try

>>>> to restore now,

>>>> it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired installation. How

>>>> do I point

>>>> the system to the original restore files so I can access them? Is

>>>> there a

>>>> change that can be made in the registry? Is there another way to

>>>> complete

>>>> the restore?

>>>> Thanks.

[Guest Daave]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

JDGuymon wrote:

> My system crashed and I had to do a system repair from the original

> operating system CD. After that, my installed programs are not

> recognized.

> Is there any way to follow this with a restore?

> I know the restore files still exist because I can see them in the

> C:\System Volume Information folder. There are two sets of files,

> one from the original installation and one from the new repair. If I

> try to restore now, it only "sees" the files in the newly repaired

> installation. How do I point the system to the original restore

> files so I can access them? Is there a change that can be made in

> the registry? Is there another way to complete the restore?

> Thanks.

 

First of all, back up all the data you can. Sounds like you may have

performed an accidental parallel installation of Windows XP. If so, read

on...

 

If you're able to choose which version of Windows to boot off of, simply

follow these instructions:

 

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/twoxp.txt

 

If the above doesn't work, you can try the method below (and if that

doesn't work, then I guess you'll need to perform a clean install as

others have suggested). But first, you might as well try the following:

 

First, perform a *repair* install. *Carefully* follow the instructions

here:

 

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

After you do this, Edit Boot.Ini file:

 

Go to start/Run and type "msconfig." Open "Boot.ini" and highlight the

new OS. Then click on "check all boot paths" and remove the entry for

the newer (accidental/parallel) Windows setup. If all works, delete the

newer (accidental/parallel) Windows folder.

 

Good luck.

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Windows XP repair followed by restore

 

He won't be able to. Once the system files have been reinstalled the

versioning won't permit a system restore. He'll just get an error.

 

"Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

news:O$aEWk1iIHA.4396@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> sgopus wrote:

>> NO, they shouldn't be used! it would only add to the problem.

>> you've got massive issues, that need to be resolved via a clean

>> install.

>

> If OP is going to perform a clean install *anyway*, then what's the harm

> in trying a System Restore (provided the first thing he does is back up

> all the data he can)?

>

>> backup what data you can access and start over.

>

> Yes! It cannot be stressed enough that backing up data is *very*

> important!

>

>