by Matrix: posted August 26, 2001 04:57 PM
Thanks starlifter! I'll backup the documents and settings directory,
The easy way to totally back up the D&S directory (due to file lock and file sharing issues) is to boot into a 2nd Operating System (a second copy of W2K, or even Win 98, Win ME, etc.) and back it up (Zip it for CRC check and compression
).
Due to the screwed up way that MS chose to store all data for Outlook Express (and Outlook), when even "little" things go wrong (like bad sectors, bad CRC, conflict, electric glitch, and the ever-present Micro$oft bugs), it is very easy for an average user to loose data, and even have to re-install the OS.
By contrast, it is trivial in the extreme to simply Zip a single subdirectory to backup Eudora (which I personally use) or Netscape. I've known so many personal and corporate users that get into trouble with MS,
.
Either way, I suggest using Fix-It 3.0 in Win2K. It is very simple, and in the Win2K environment, is more extensives and powerful than even Norton Utilities.
Do an Internet seach for Fix-It, and you can doubtless find an evaluation copy to download
. It will also solve registry problems, and repair bad (or infected) boot sectors, and even the Win2K "fail to boot" issues that started your problems.
I don't know your experience and ability level with computers, but I will point out one more thing. You should include a Safe Boot option and an Command Console option in your W2K boot menu, as well as options for other OS's.
I will include my current BOOT.INI file contents (the BOOT.INI is always in the root of the C: drive).
DO NOT blindly copy my contents into your own BOOT.INI file. It is for example. You simply use
notepad (or any pure text editor) to insert a new line for a boot option. Always back up your BOOT.INI first, and test the boot afterwards. Make sure you can boot (even to DOS) with a floppy, in case you make a mistake... that way you can restore the original BOOT.INI if your new one does not work.
Here is my own BOOT.INI:
[boot loader]
timeout=5
default=c:\
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\NT2K="W2K F-drive [fastdetect sos nodebug bootlog]" /fastdetect /sos /nodebug /bootlog
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\NT2K="W2K F-drive [fastdetect sos nodebug bootlog vga]" /fastdetect /sos /nodebug /bootlog /basevideo
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\NT2K="W2K F-drive [SafeBoot-Network][sos][Bootlog]" /sos /SAFEBOOT:NETWORK /BOOTLOG
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Win2000 Recovery Console" /cmdcons
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(5)\NT2K="W2K H-drive [fastdetect sos nodebug bootlog]" /fastdetect /sos /nodebug /bootlog
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(5)\NT2K="W2K H-drive [sos] [VGA Boot]" /sos /basevideo
C:\="Win95b OSR 2.1"
Once you get the Recovery Console and alternate OSs working properly, and back up your boot sector on floppy, plus backup your registry (and/or the D&S dir), you will almost be bulletproof. If you go further and back up the WINNT and the Program Files directory, you should be bulletproof, as long as you do not swap motherboards or change your Power Management (usually in BIOS).
