Corrupt Registry

Page 5 of 6 FirstFirst ... 3456 LastLast

  1. Posts : 13,354
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #41

    If you do a clean or custom install on top of an existing Windows installation, it will create the Windows.old folder, regardless of whether it was booted from or run from Windows.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
       #42

    I've done two clean installs, one on each of my rigs, and on the first, there was a Windows.old folder, but on the other rig, there was not. Of course, in neither case was their a preexisting OS involved.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 13,354
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #43

    seekermeister said:
    I done two clean installs, one on each of my rigs, and on the first, there was a Windows.old folder, but on the other rig, there was not. Of course, in neither case was their a preexisting OS involved.
    That would make sense. The Windows.old folder will only be created if a new OS is installed on top of another existing installation. The Windows.old folder will not be created during an upgrade.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 19
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #44

    Guys, I have made an interesting development. I thought I would have one last shot at trying to fix the mess, so here is what I did.

    I burned Ubuntu to a DVD
    Booted into the Live CD
    Navigated on Ubuntu to Windows/System32/Config/RegBack , in there there were files: SYSTEM, SECURITY, SAM and DEFAULT. They were all dated December 24th - before the problem occured.
    So, I overwrote the files SYSTEM, SECURITY, SAM and DEFAULT in Windows/System32/Config with the above (still using Ubuntu)
    I rebooted and magically found that I can now boot into Safe Mode (Y).



    With a little more reading I found that Windows peridocially backs up the registry to that folder. So these must be registry backups from before it became corrupted.

    Currently I am in Safe Mode burning many DVD's, I think I will still just reinstall but at least I have the important files incase Windows.old fails to create.

    I will inform of how it all goes.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
       #45

    I did have a Windows.old folder on the primary installation, and it wasn't an upgrade install, nor was it installed on top of anything. However, the folder was empty, except a recycle bin file.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 13,354
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #46

    seekermeister said:
    I did have a Windows.old folder on the primary installation, and it wasn't an upgrade install, nor was it installed on top of anything. However, the folder was empty, except a recycle bin file.
    Interesting. In that case, it is a glitch or goof of Windows. At least the folder was created. I will have to keep my eyes open for that.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,114
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       #47

    I did a clean install over a dual boot of XP and Win 7 RC and there was no Windows.old folder period.

    Smitty
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 13,354
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #48

    1Bowtie said:
    I did a clean install over a dual boot of XP and Win 7 RC and there was no Windows.old folder period.

    Smitty
    Funny. Did you format at all? If you installed over XP, it might not create the folder. I don't know.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,114
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       #49

    Jonathan_King said:
    1Bowtie said:
    I did a clean install over a dual boot of XP and Win 7 RC and there was no Windows.old folder period.

    Smitty
    Funny. Did you format at all? If you installed over XP, it might not create the folder. I don't know.
    The format is done when you do a clean install, it wipes it clean then installs the os.

    Smitty
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 19
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #50

    What I did here allowed me to access the normal desktop, although I could tell that Windows was damaged (no icons on desktop for a start).

    I managed to retrieve all my important files (with a little help from my ipod as a mass storage device lol, 1.5 hours to burn one dvd!).

    I am going to reformat and reinstall, fingers crossed I have everything of importance.

    Thanks again for the help,
      My Computer


 
Page 5 of 6 FirstFirst ... 3456 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:21.
Find Us