I would first try to boot to Last Know Good Configuration option of the Advanced Menu and if you get in work from there.
If you don't get in this commonly-used link appears to be the most official way to go. Note the omission of steps 2 and 3. This appears to be the poorman's version of XP Pro's ASR and probably the best reason to buy/upgrade to the Pro version vs XP Home.
I have a 98 boot disk. I don't necessarily want to start set up and reinstall. I'd like to be able to restore from my backups. Or should I go ahead with set up, reinstall XP and then do the restores? Thanks again.
Right now I'm ok. I have a new Dell that I got early December. After a couple of weeks things got trashed (probably my fault) and after trying everything I could think of or find I ended up doing the Dell restore - back to "out of the box" condition. I don't
ever want that to happen again. With a dial up connection it is literally days to get all of the software updates, get things registered, get things set up the way I want again. I not an expert but I've been around computers a long time and had a lot of experience up to Win 98SE. Not much with ME and no exposure other than as a user with NT, 2000, or XP. This is the first pc I've ever bought. I've always built them myself before. I used to have Norton Ghost but my old version won't run on this XP machine. Ghost and backups saved me lots of times. I want to be able to save/restore my system when it crashes, gets trashed, or somehow just dies. Thanks.
Thanks. I've thought about upgrading Ghost but I've read some unhappy users of the newer versions (9 and 10). I read good things about Acronis True Image, but also some unhappy users. A solid reliable imaging program like those would make me feel a lot better. Do you have experience with either or both or recommendations? I appreciate the help.
Yes I've seen that warning. In truth it may not work well on OEM installs of XP. Thinking you could not boot to Windows because of a corrupt registry I suggested you try the link I posted (after attempting to enter using the last good registry) since you would have nothing to lose.
I think XP Pro is the OS underlying XP MCE; if so this is an example of how ASR could be used. It is no replacement for a tested imaging program like Ghost. What kind of configuration is required you will have to check out yourself. My suggestion to you would be to update your Ghost software (online); the cost would be minimal and it sounds like you'll sleep better at night with a proper backup.
When I do use it I use Drive Image 5. Between the 2 you mention I'd guess either would be a good choice. As far as a comparison of features and benefits you'll have to do your own homework. Here's one of the better Ghost sites. (Do a search for Acronis on Langa.com; he likes it a lot. Also, check PCWorld.)
Doing regular backups of your stuff as well as the System State to me seems sufficient. Most home users are intimidated by a clean install so imaging looks attractive. For the common user proper imaging can be a much bigger problem than a clean install.
maxd
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January 16th, 2006 19:00
I would first try to boot to Last Know Good Configuration option of the Advanced Menu and if you get in work from there.
If you don't get in this commonly-used link appears to be the most official way to go. Note the omission of steps 2 and 3. This appears to be the poorman's version of XP Pro's ASR and probably the best reason to buy/upgrade to the Pro version vs XP Home.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545
dunedin
2.7K Posts
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January 16th, 2006 22:00
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
lookout
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January 17th, 2006 09:00
lookout
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January 17th, 2006 09:00
dunedin
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January 17th, 2006 10:00
What happens when you try to boot?
How far do you get?
What does the screen look like when you are stuck?
Any error messages?
Have you tried all the options from Safe Mode?
lookout
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January 17th, 2006 10:00
lookout
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January 17th, 2006 14:00
Thanks. I've thought about upgrading Ghost but I've read some unhappy users of the newer versions (9 and 10). I read good things about Acronis True Image, but also some unhappy users. A solid reliable imaging program like those would make me feel a lot better. Do you have experience with either or both or recommendations? I appreciate the help.
maxd
2 Intern
•
2.4K Posts
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January 17th, 2006 14:00
Yes I've seen that warning. In truth it may not work well on OEM installs of XP. Thinking you could not boot to Windows because of a corrupt registry I suggested you try the link I posted (after attempting to enter using the last good registry) since you would have nothing to lose.
I think XP Pro is the OS underlying XP MCE; if so this is an example of how ASR could be used. It is no replacement for a tested imaging program like Ghost. What kind of configuration is required you will have to check out yourself. My suggestion to you would be to update your Ghost software (online); the cost would be minimal and it sounds like you'll sleep better at night with a proper backup.
maxd
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2.4K Posts
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January 17th, 2006 14:00
lookout
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January 17th, 2006 15:00
maxd
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2.4K Posts
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January 17th, 2006 17:00
No problem.
btw, this is the link I referred to in my 2nd posting in this thread, a la
"if so this is an example of how ASR could be used."
http://www.tweakxp.com/article37556.aspx
lookout
7 Posts
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January 17th, 2006 18:00