Microsoft KB Archive/101229

= How to restore Windows NT over an existing installation =

Article ID: 101229

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1

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This article was previously published under Q101229



STATUS
If you experience a hard disk or data corruption problem and lose your Microsoft Windows NT system volume, you can restore Windows NT and preserve your data if you made backup copies of the Windows NT system volume.

Note You must have overridden the default settings of the Windows NT Backup program (Ntbackup) to select backing up the Registry files when the original backup tape was created.

To restore Windows NT, use the following procedure:

Note You must ensure that the current version of Windows NT is running the same version of the Service Pack as the version on the tape backup before you restore the registry and restart. If the two versions are different, your system may not run properly.  Start NTBackup and open the Tapes window. Catalog the appropriate tape and ensure the following directory:

%SystemRoot%\system32\config

Contains the following Registry files: System, Software, Sam, Security

If not, then the registry was not backed up onto this tape. Search previous backup tapes for one that does contain the registry files, and then select the directory to be restored. Select Restore. In the Restore Information dialog box, provide all the necessary information, click to select the Restore Local Registry check box, and click OK. After restoring, quit NTBackup and restart the computer. Start NTBackup and open the Tapes window. Catalog the appropriate tape and select all the directories needed to restore Windows NT.</li> Select Restore.</li> In the Restore Information dialog box, provide all the necessary information, do not click to select the Restore Local Registry check box, and click OK.</li> After restoring, quit Backup and restart the computer.</li></ol>

The volume should be back to its original state.

Alternately you can install NT into a \Junk directory. Then perform a complete Restore from your last backup tape into its original directory structure IE: C:\Winnt and all subdirectories. After the restore, modify the Boot.ini file in the root of C: to include an entry for the restored NT installation and restart the computer into the restored installation.

Note If you use a backup tape by Arcada (Conner), you can use Ntbackup.exe using this backup tape. Choose %Systemroot%\System32\Config and all Registry files. Your program groups and accounts should be restored. The Arcada backup does not enable you to explicitly specify the Registry files for backup or restore.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Additional query words: prodnt

Keywords: KB101229

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