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Q101229: How to Restore Windows NT Over an Existing Installation

Article: Q101229
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 3.1,3.5,3.51,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbtool
Last Modified: 08-AUG-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.1, 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.1, 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, version 3.1 
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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.

1. Start NTBackup and open the Tapes window.

2. 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.

3. Select Restore.

4. In the Restore Information dialog box, provide all the necessary information,
  click to select the Restore Local Registry check box, and click OK.

5. After restoring, quit NTBackup and restart the computer.

6. Start NTBackup and open the Tapes window.

7. Catalog the appropriate tape and select all the directories needed to restore
  Windows NT.

8. Select Restore.

9. 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.

10. After restoring, quit Backup and restart the computer.

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 discussed in this article are manufactured by 
vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or 
otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

Additional query words: prodnt

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Keywords          : kbtool 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTW310 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS310 kbWinNTAdvSerSearch kbWinNTAdvServ310 kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search kbWinNTS310search kbWinNT310Search kbWinNTW310Search
Version           : :3.1,3.5,3.51,4.0

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