System restore v. copy os

  • Thread starter Thread starter RoS
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R

RoS

I'm getting confused over the differences between system restore and having
a second copy of the OS on a separate partition.

I found System Restore in Win ME was always a bit of a loose cannon and
sometimes created bigger problems than it solved. What does it actually do?
Does it alter files in the OS or just registry settings? What happens to
apps or updates to apps installed after a restore point. Is it perhaps
wiser to have a spare 'clean' copy of the OS on board? At last I have
enough HD space for this to be feasible. I know that theoretically one
should never have to clean re-install an OS. Every problem is fixable. But
in the past I've always reached the point after about 18 months when
everything is beginning to creak and starting from fresh in the end is
quicker - and certainly more fool proof.

When is backing up the registry an alternative to System Restore, if ever?

RoS
 
RoS said:
I'm getting confused over the differences between system restore and having
a second copy of the OS on a separate partition.

I found System Restore in Win ME was always a bit of a loose cannon and
sometimes created bigger problems than it solved. What does it actually do?
Does it alter files in the OS or just registry settings? What happens to
apps or updates to apps installed after a restore point. Is it perhaps
wiser to have a spare 'clean' copy of the OS on board?
Click to expand...

The SR tool saves copies of important files at a separate area on the
HDD. It is good for to solve minor problems with Windows. You do not
need to have a second copy of the OS, but you should backup your
personal data regularely, since the SR tool does not do this.
For serious problems with Windows, you can use the ASR wizard in
NTBACKUP (Professional Edition only), somewhat better is a backup
strategy with third-party products like Norton Ghost, which allow to
backup the entire system on a USB-disk f. e.
 
Hi,

Here's a description of System Restore
http://home.earthlink.net/~mvp_bert/html/description.html

Rather than having a second install of Windows, create a image of the
entire partition which Windows is installed. With this image the
partition can be restored to the exact state it was in when the image
was created. Along with System Restore, this is very good combination
to prevent data lose and system down time.
 
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