I really screwed up, XP Registry corrupted

[Russ]

I was using a registry comparison tool AND I accidently imported a
registry from another computer onto my system. Windows XP Pro, Toshiba
Laptop, 2.2Gig.
My computer halted from this action and the only thing I was able to
do was shutdown. My computer boots to the screen: WE APPOLOGIZE FOR
THE INCONVENIENCE. BUT WINDOWS DID NOT START SUCCESSFULLY. A RECENT
HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE CHANGE MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THIS...... etc....

From the menu list I cannot boot into safe mode of any kind or last
known configuration. Windows will not start normally either.

Formatting is not an option as I have too many files I can't lose.

I ran the Toshiba recovery disk. The only option was to format and
restore system to factory defaults and wipe the hdd.

Can I create a boot disk and restore the registry some how?

I can't believe I clicked import instead of compare!!!!


Russ

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

Well, you have tried all the options except the one that "isn't an option".

Now you will have to perform a repair install to see if it can clean up your
mess. It is doubtful, as there are now many incorrect registry entries that
may have nothing to do with your computer. A repair install is NOT going to
remove these.

Failing that, you are in for a format/install. Sorry you are going to lose
so much. That's how we all learn the necessity of "backing up" important
data.

"Russ" > wrote in message
om...
> I was using a registry comparison tool AND I accidently imported a
> registry from another computer onto my system. Windows XP Pro, Toshiba
> Laptop, 2.2Gig.
> My computer halted from this action and the only thing I was able to
> do was shutdown. My computer boots to the screen: WE APPOLOGIZE FOR
> THE INCONVENIENCE. BUT WINDOWS DID NOT START SUCCESSFULLY. A RECENT
> HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE CHANGE MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THIS...... etc....
>
> From the menu list I cannot boot into safe mode of any kind or last
> known configuration. Windows will not start normally either.
>
> Formatting is not an option as I have too many files I can't lose.
>
> I ran the Toshiba recovery disk. The only option was to format and
> restore system to factory defaults and wipe the hdd.
>
> Can I create a boot disk and restore the registry some how?
>
> I can't believe I clicked import instead of compare!!!!
>
>
> Russ

[R. McCarty]

The following Tech Note might be of some help
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545

If you are able to recover from this classic "Oh, Damn"
type of mistake, buy Imaging software and use it, before
doing "Open-Heart Surgery" on your PC.

"Russ" > wrote in message
om...
> I was using a registry comparison tool AND I accidently imported a
> registry from another computer onto my system. Windows XP Pro, Toshiba
> Laptop, 2.2Gig.
> My computer halted from this action and the only thing I was able to
> do was shutdown. My computer boots to the screen: WE APPOLOGIZE FOR
> THE INCONVENIENCE. BUT WINDOWS DID NOT START SUCCESSFULLY. A RECENT
> HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE CHANGE MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THIS...... etc....
>
> From the menu list I cannot boot into safe mode of any kind or last
> known configuration. Windows will not start normally either.
>
> Formatting is not an option as I have too many files I can't lose.
>
> I ran the Toshiba recovery disk. The only option was to format and
> restore system to factory defaults and wipe the hdd.
>
> Can I create a boot disk and restore the registry some how?
>
> I can't believe I clicked import instead of compare!!!!
>
>
> Russ

[Russ]

What is a repair install? My Recovery CD will only allow a full system
clean and reinstall??

I appreciate the good advise in advance.
Russ


"Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)" > wrote in message >...
> Well, you have tried all the options except the one that "isn't an option".
>
> Now you will have to perform a repair install to see if it can clean up your
> mess. It is doubtful, as there are now many incorrect registry entries that
> may have nothing to do with your computer. A repair install is NOT going to
> remove these.
>
> Failing that, you are in for a format/install. Sorry you are going to lose
> so much. That's how we all learn the necessity of "backing up" important
> data.

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

To perform a repair install you need a retail copy of Windows XP or a
Microsoft OEM copy of Windows XP (sold only with new systems, I believe)

"Russ" > wrote in message
om...
> What is a repair install? My Recovery CD will only allow a full system
> clean and reinstall??
>
> I appreciate the good advise in advance.
> Russ
>
>
> "Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)" > wrote
in message >...
> > Well, you have tried all the options except the one that "isn't an
option".
> >
> > Now you will have to perform a repair install to see if it can clean up
your
> > mess. It is doubtful, as there are now many incorrect registry entries
that
> > may have nothing to do with your computer. A repair install is NOT going
to
> > remove these.
> >
> > Failing that, you are in for a format/install. Sorry you are going to
lose
> > so much. That's how we all learn the necessity of "backing up" important
> > data.

[xfile]

If you still can access Internet via another machine, go to MS KB and try to
get article 307545, How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents
Windows XP from starting.

Sorry that I don't have the link here to post it. Good luck!!!

"Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)" > ¦b¶l¥ó
¤¤¼¶¼g...
> To perform a repair install you need a retail copy of Windows XP or a
> Microsoft OEM copy of Windows XP (sold only with new systems, I believe)
>
> "Russ" > wrote in message
> om...
> > What is a repair install? My Recovery CD will only allow a full system
> > clean and reinstall??
> >
> > I appreciate the good advise in advance.
> > Russ
> >
> >
> > "Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)" >
wrote
> in message >...
> > > Well, you have tried all the options except the one that "isn't an
> option".
> > >
> > > Now you will have to perform a repair install to see if it can clean
up
> your
> > > mess. It is doubtful, as there are now many incorrect registry entries
> that
> > > may have nothing to do with your computer. A repair install is NOT
going
> to
> > > remove these.
> > >
> > > Failing that, you are in for a format/install. Sorry you are going to
> lose
> > > so much. That's how we all learn the necessity of "backing up"
important
> > > data.
>
>

[Russ]

Crusty!?
This is an option. I have a XP Upgrade I could use. I did contact ADS
Technologies. They're sending out a backpack drive case for 2 1/2"
Hdd's, Then I'll just plug it into another computer and copy my data
off then Reformat.

Thanks For the Option.
Russ


"Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)" > wrote in message >...
> To perform a repair install you need a retail copy of Windows XP or a
> Microsoft OEM copy of Windows XP (sold only with new systems, I believe)
>
> "Russ" > wrote in message
> om...
> > What is a repair install? My Recovery CD will only allow a full system
> > clean and reinstall??
> >
> > I appreciate the good advise in advance.
> > Russ
> >

[Alex Nichol]

Russ wrote:

>I was using a registry comparison tool AND I accidently imported a
>registry from another computer onto my system. Windows XP Pro, Toshiba
>Laptop, 2.2Gig.
>My computer halted from this action and the only thing I was able to
>do was shutdown. My computer boots to the screen: WE APPOLOGIZE FOR
>THE INCONVENIENCE. BUT WINDOWS DID NOT START SUCCESSFULLY. A RECENT
>HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE CHANGE MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THIS...... etc....
>
>From the menu list I cannot boot into safe mode of any kind or last
>known configuration. Windows will not start normally either.
>
>Formatting is not an option as I have too many files I can't lose.
>
>I ran the Toshiba recovery disk. The only option was to format and
>restore system to factory defaults and wipe the hdd.

Provided you have a floppy drive, you can get the set of six
boot-floppies as a single download (that runs to generate them) at
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;310994

Then read up the method at
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;307545

Boot the floppy set, and apply that method

And good luck!


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit)