BackUp Reg

[svasutin]

I'm trying to figure out a way to backup, and then of course restore, the ntuser.dat, .dat.log inside the %userprofile%\..\NetworkService folder.

So far, i've used gpedit.msc to set a shutdown and startup script that copies the other folders and files in the 'Documents and Settings' folder. It is only the NetworkService directory that is giving me trouble.

Essentially, my shutdown script, turns off all services except for DCOM, Event log, Plug and Play, and Remote Procedure, and then just does xcopy %src% %dest% /v /g /h /y ...

It copys everything except for the ntuser.dat and ntsuer.dat.log, and I'm thinking there has to be a way to do this.

Thank you for your help.

[chilifrei64]

what exactaly are you trying to accomplish by doing this. And why the NetworkService dat files.

for just normal userprofiles.. you could just use roaming profiles. this way when they log off it is copied back to the server and the locks are taken off of them.

[svasutin]

Well, I'm trying to do a simple back up and restore for home users; xp home, family PC, one shared account. I already have favorites, my docs, outlook express, and other folders moved to c:\somedir\theirAcct, which windows won't overwrite on any upgrade or in-place reInstall. The main issue is not having to re-register/Install all the software.

My thinking is, when things go wrong, just reInstall windows, and then restore the saved files ntuser.dat files upon the first reboot. However, I'm pretty sure, w/o the NetworkService\ntuser.dat files, the SID won't jive with the other ntuser.dat files.

I'm thinking more in terms of DRM and other licensing. I know you can just reInstall software, but trying to get keys, licensing, registration, and passwords is a pain. If i had a nickle for every, 'I can't remember my password/license/key/...' I'd be rich ... wait a second, never mind.... anyway

These days, certain major company's do not ship the XP CD with their systems, hence there is no ValueAdd folder to install ntbackup.msi. From experience, the restore is a standard erase useful files, but keep certain non-essential folders. Aside from investing in DVD's and a skeet-shooting equipment, I kinda figured this would be a quick and dirty fix.

This is for when System Restore is not available, the Recovery Console has not been installed, and Last Known does not work. Sort of a ntldr issue when one doesn't have a floppy.

I'm looking for a way to back up and restore with a minimal amount of user knowledge required. In certain circumstances telling a user about profiles and tweaks has caused undesired effects (I wonder what this will do?)

[chilifrei64]

Have you looked into USMT from microsoft. When i do stuff like this that is what I use... I still have to type in cd keys and what. Have you looked into that?

As for copying open files which is what you need to do.. I cant think of any easy way off the start.. One thing that comes to mind is BartPE or windows PE where you would be able to copy anything you want from the disk via batch file and at the end of the batch you could even start your installation.

[svasutin]

Originally I thought about the USMT, but it doesn't work with Outlook Express. I can't tell you how much I hate olx. Also, the USMT is kinda only works well for Msft products.

There should be a way. I suppose I'll try and just do a backup or the registry, and hope double-clicking it will restore most everything.

[svasutin]

For a test, I attempted USMT, but there are just too many prompts when files can't be copied (ntuser.dat), also, it takes too long to be run at shutdown/restart. Perhaps only settings should be used; but I'm thinking it's ok to lose settings.

My next task will be determining the specific device drivers to back up.

[chilifrei64]

for the device drivers... use this

http://www.driverguidetoolkit.com/

you install the program. then you can just hit back up device drivers and it takes all the currently installed drivers and places them in a directory. pretty neat utility

[svasutin]

coo