Broonie <broonie27********.com> wrote:
> On 1 Apr, 16:54, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
> <lanwe...@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatya hoo.com> wrote:
>> Broonie <brooni...********.com> wrote:
>>> Hi There,
>>
>>> I might be being a bit stupid here but what is the point in having
>>> the ability to restore sytemstateusing the Backup Utility in XP when
>>> there is already theSystemRestore functionality. As far as I am
>>> awaresystemstatebacks up the registry,systemfiles, boots files
>>> and +Com stuff but no program files where asSystemRestore will
>>> include all program files.
>>
>>> If I can't boot into Windows for whatever reason I can't get to the
>>> Backup Utility but I can get into theSystemrestore from Safe Mode
>>> with command prompt. Can someone please explain a scenario where I
>>> would restore aSystemStateusing the Backup Utility instead of using
>>> SystemRestore?
>>
>> Systemrestore isn't for backup purposes. It's for recovery
>> (sometimes there are air quotes around that) from Something Bad,
>> such as a malware infestation or software blowout.
>>
>> Now, if your hard drive blows up and you have asystemstatebackup,
>> you can restore your user accounts & groups, I guess. I don't use it
>> on workstations. If I back up workstations at all, I use
>> cloning/imaging software (I like Acronis TrueImage).
>
> Thanks for that, makes sense.
>
> Using your example above of the blown HDD I would first have to do a
> new, clean install of XP and then use the Backup utility to restore my
> system state. In doing this surely I have restored a registry bloated
> with entires from the programs previously installed on the old blown
> disk. Which leads to 2 questions.

No. System state is not for backup/restore of your OS, data or programs. It
would restore your users and groups. It would be next to useless. I always
take system state backups on my domain controllers, because System State in
AD is very very important. On a workstation, not so much, usually.
>
> 1. What happens when I re-install the same programs - will it screw
> the registry, resulting in strange behaviour when running them or will
> the old registry entries be over-written when the programs are re-
> installed?

No - you'd *have* to reinstall all your apps, and restore all your user
data, regardless.

> 2. What would happen if i backed up my program files folder as well as
> my system sate and then, after I have restored my system state on a
> new install of XP, simply copy the contents of my program files backup
> into the new program files folder - will they work?

Nope. If you want a full backup that restores everything, you need
imaging/cloning software such as Acronis. If you don't want to bother, just
back up all your user data files - you can use ntbackup or third party stuff
or simply a batch file that copies files. Then, if you have a HDD failure
you reinstall your OS and programs individually & then restore your data.

Acronis totally rocks, by the way.
>
> Cheers
>
> Craig

Hope this helps clarify things....