Restoring the Registry(continued...)

Let's Wreck the Registry (Restoring with Scanreg)
NOTE: If you don't have Windows 98 on your computer, skip this section.

If you are running Windows 98, let's try something a little different. Close out of Windows and reboot to the DOS prompt. Change to the Windows directory or folder.

Type:
CD WINDOWS (ENTER)

You should now be at the DOS prompt in the WINDOWS directory. Next let's see if we can find SYSTEM.DAT.

Type:
DIR SYSTEM.DAT (ENTER)

You should get an error saying 'File Not Found' because the Hidden attributes are set on the file. So let's remove them!

Type:
ATTRIB -S -H -R SYSTEM.DAT (ENTER)
ATTRIB -S -H -R USER.DAT (ENTER)

Now let's see if we can find it.

Type:
DIR SYSTEM.DAT (ENTER)

You should now be able to see the file. Now we're going to delete the Registry files.

Type:
DEL SYSTEM.DAT (ENTER)
DEL USER.DAT (ENTER)

This is not good! It's a good thing you have backups. Let's see what kind of an error we get. Restart your computer.

CTRL + ALT + DEL

As your computer reboots, it will look to the Registry files for configuration information. When it finds there is a problem, it won't try to start Windows. Instead, you should be taken to the StartUp Menu. You'll see an error like:

"Warning: Windows has detected a registry/configuration error. Choose 'Command prompt only' and run ScanReg."

So do it! Choose 'Command prompt only' and press ENTER. Type SCANREG/RESTORE at the DOS prompt, press ENTER, and ScanReg will start up, showing the different backups available. Highlight the most recent backup and press the 'R' key on your keyboard.

Reboot.

In Windows 98, ScanReg is a fairly good program that works well. Try it out!

continued...