Recovery of XP wines from a USB stick. Correct recovery of the Windows XP system. Windows XP: System Restore

23.05.2015

When working in Windows XP, problems arise that can lead to loss of working time. You can restore performance using System Restore.

Microsoft operating systems are particularly vulnerable to viruses. In addition, there are many other reasons that can cause the crash. If the boot area is damaged or system files become infected, users often resort to reinstalling Windows.

When there is no way to start safe mode, and errors occur when starting the operating system, the first thing to think about is system recovery. This feature allows you to revert to a saved copy of system files, thereby giving new life to Windows, without resorting to a complete reinstallation.

Why is it better to use Windows XP recovery than reinstalling

Most IT professionals prefer reinstalling Windows XP over recovery. They argue that in this way the system will be updated, it will stop giving errors, and the problems will disappear by themselves. This is indeed the case.

However, restoration has no less effect, in addition, it has advantages:

Takes much less time;
Does not require backup of all information stored on the system disk (it is worth moving files from folders such as "My Documents", "Desktop", saved in the "Favorites" page);
There is no need to search and install drivers;
No need to reinstall the software;
There is no need to re-enter software, network hardware and custom system settings.

All of these benefits of restore over installation are possible when restore points are created correctly and periodically.

What are Windows XP restore points and how to work with them

In order to use Windows XP Recovery, the following conditions must be met:

Enable the corresponding service;
Create a point that is relevant to you;
The program responsible for the recovery process must be running. It is located in the folder C: \ WINDOWS \ system32 \ Restore \ rstrui.exe

You can check if the recovery service is running simply by running the application from the utilities.

A point is a backup of important data for a specified period of time. As a rule, it is created automatically when you make changes to the system settings. You can create a restore point yourself. We recommend that you do this before installing updated drivers or questionable software.

To create a manual backup, follow these steps:

Open the "Start" menu and go to standard programs;
Find the "System" item and start the system restore;
Select "Create a restore point".

Creation can take from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the workload of Windows. It is recommended to create a point manually immediately after reinstalling the operating system, installing the necessary drivers and programs on it, as well as entering the network settings.

Ways to start Windows XP recovery

Since the process of returning to a previous system state is often a critical operation, there are several ways to start it.

Method 1. Recovery using a point

You can start Windows XP recovery from a point by using Safe Mode, if you can start it. This is done using the "F8" key while loading the operating system.

The program will offer to select one of the calendar dates when automatic or manual backup to a special folder was started. You must choose the most stable version when Windows XP has not yet been damaged and infected with viruses.

The disadvantages of this method of rolling back to a backup are the following:

Safe Mode may not start at all;
Point files can be infected or corrupted by viruses;
Unlike later versions, rollback from points is not possible when using the boot menu or starting from disk;
Some files are not replaced, but copies are created;
Monitoring the system partition takes up RAM.

Method 2. Rollback using the distribution kit

If you have a Windows XP installation distribution at home, written to a disk or flash drive, or the automatic backup service has been disabled, you can always use it to restore your system. Depending on the current situation, you can start the process in two ways:

If the operating system boots normally. In this case, you need to insert the installation disc and wait for the menu to load. In it you need to select "Install ..." and click "Next".

In the next window, instead of installing, select "Update" from the drop-down menu.

If Windows XP does not boot at all, then the last resort by using recovery from disk will be to start from the boot area. To do this, you need to select the desired device with the distribution kit in Bios in the boot priorities and start from it. During the installation process, an option selection menu will be offered, where you will need to press the "R" button, which starts the system recovery.

After the distribution detects the system partition and finds the installed copy, it will offer a choice. It is necessary to highlight it and once again confirm the action with the "R" button.

When restoring the system from the distribution kit, the driver files, which are system ones, can be replaced, which can lead to new hardware conflicts;
To start rollback, it is advisable to use the installation disk from which the installation was performed;
An official or at least not stripped-down distribution kit is required, as in most assemblies to save space for drivers, otherwise the rollback function may be disabled there.

Do not forget that the recovery function does not guarantee 100% system performance at the end of the operation and will not return lost data. If your personal files have been damaged, use a specialized program.

Outcome:

Despite the fact that, unlike modern versions in Windows XP, the recovery system is far from ideal, you should not disable it. In the seventh and eighth versions of Windows, the use of a fallback point for rollback is more thoughtful. Most of the errors and problems of this process are fixed there. In addition, the main distinguishing feature is the ability to create a copy of an entire partition (image) for subsequent recovery and work with a point from the bootloader.

Each method has its drawbacks, and a backup copy may not always be a salvation. However, in most cases, this option allows you to quickly restore your personal computer to work. And then you can start the necessary operations to treat viruses or search for deleted information.

Windows XP System Restore or update, and who uses the phrase "Put on top", as soon as they do not call names, let's figure out what this action is, and also analyze other options for restoring Windows XP. Those who need a regular system restore can go to the end of the article, or get acquainted with more complete information. ... We also have an excellent article on what to do if you cannot completely load Windows XP, you can read - Our topic is called correctly.System Restore from the Windows XP Setup Menuor Recovering a damaged copy of Windows XP, by the way, sometimes it helps virus: send SMS when your operating system is blocked by malware. And in cases where the operating system does not boot and nothing helps: not the recovery console, not boot the last known good configuration, not a boot diskette, not a restore point. It is not advisable to reinstall because of the many necessary and unnecessary programs, mail settings, skype, opera, and so on.

Insert the Windows XP boot disk into your computer. If you do not have it, download the image (ISO file) of the system on the Internet and burn it to a disc. Be aware of viruses when downloading files on the Internet.

Prepare your license key. It is a 25-digit code and is usually found in the following locations:

On the box with the Windows XP disc.
On the case of a computer or laptop.

Reboot your computer. Make sure the Windows XP disc is inserted into the drive. Configure your computer to boot from CD for the first time. To do this, make changes to the BIOS settings.

To access the BIOS, press the F2, F10, F11, F12, or DEL key as soon as the manufacturer's logo appears (keys vary by manufacturer).
In the BIOS go to the Boot menu. Install the CD as 1st Boot Device. Depending on the BIOS version, the disc may be referred to as a DVD drive, the Optical drive, or a CD / DVD drive.
Save changes and exit BIOS. This will cause the computer to restart.

Start your boot disk. After the manufacturer's logo disappears, the message “Press any key to boot from CD” will appear on the screen. Press any key on your keyboard to start the boot disk. If you do not press a key, the computer will boot from the hard drive (as usual).

Start the installation. Windows will download the necessary drivers to start the installation process. This may take a few seconds. Then the welcome screen will open. Press the Enter key to start the installation. Do not enter the Recovery Console.

Read the agreement. After you have read the license agreement, press F8. The list of Windows XP installations will be loaded. Most users have only one installation on this list.

Select the previous installation. If you have only one installation displayed in the list, it will be automatically highlighted. Press R to start the recovery process. Windows will copy the files and then restart the computer automatically. This will start the system restore process.

You will be prompted to confirm the date and time, as well as a few other basic options. In most cases, it is recommended to select the "default" option.

Enter your product key. At the end of the installation, you will be prompted for your product key. Windows will check the key to make sure it is valid before proceeding.

After installation, you will have to activate your copy of Windows online or by phone. After rebooting the restored system, the activation wizard window will open. If you are connected to the Internet, then you can activate your system by clicking the corresponding button.

Check your programs. Since some system files were replaced during the recovery, not all of the installed programs will work and will require reinstallation.

You may need to reinstall some drivers. To check if the drivers are installed correctly, right-click on "My Computer", select "Properties" and in the window that opens, click on "Device Manager". If there is a yellow exclamation mark next to some devices in the list that opens, then such devices may require reinstalling the drivers.
Your personal data and documents should not change during the system recovery process. Check if this is so.

You can catch a virus.
It is possible to render the operating system unusable by installing a large number of programs.
You might just get a critical crash, after which Windows will refuse to function normally.

The result in all these situations will be the same: you will need to restore Windows XP. Of course, you can reinstall the operating system again, but this is a long process. It is much easier to use standard Windows tools that do the required manipulations automatically. In this case, we are talking about the rstrui.exe application or loading the installation disk.

Scheme of actions from download

You can bring Windows XP back to life from the boot menu. Naturally, you need to go into it first.

So, you should restart your computer. If Windows is so out of order that even the restart buttons cannot be found, then you just need to press the power button on the computer case for a long time. During the start of the download, you will need to hold down the F8 key.
A special menu will appear in which you can select a specific operating mode. Here we should focus on safe mode.

Next, we go into the system as an administrator.
We open the command line, usually it is presented in the Start menu under the name CMD. We drive rstrui into the command line or the address c: \ WINDOWS \ system32 \ Restore \ rstrui.exe, press the Enter key.

This launches a very useful tool in which you should select Restore your computer to an earlier state.

Once the feature is installed, you will need to click on the Next button.
A list of restore points will appear in the menu that opens. These are snapshots of the system that it takes on its own. Snapshot is drivers and programs in their working settings and versions. You need to select a point that was saved before the serious computer failure occurred. Then click Next.

The next step is to confirm the choice of the restore point by clicking Next.

We are waiting for the end of the procedure, after which we get a window with the result.

Recovery Console

It is also possible to return the system to a working state through the recovery console. For this you need:

Insert the bootable disc into the computer's floppy drive and restart it.
Select priority in BIOS to boot from DVD.
Press the installation start button on the Windows XP installation screen.
Hold down the R key on your keyboard to start System Restore.

A tool like this might require a user password. It must be entered in order for the processes of returning to a normal state to start. This method is very convenient, as it helps to bring the operating system back to life even if it does not start at all. Naturally, you need a Windows XP boot disk. It can be downloaded from the Internet in an installation image and burned to disk using a special program. In this case, UltraISO is suitable. The procedure is as follows:

We download the program from the Internet.
Install it on your computer.
Download the Windows XP installation image from the Internet.
Open the UltraISO program and select this virtual image.
Click on the Burn CD Image button.

Set the speed as shown on the slide. Install the bird in front of the DVD disc.

We are waiting for the end of the recording. The boot disk is then ready and can be used to boot the Windows XP installer.

Prophylaxis

A Windows XP system recovery is a common situation for computer users. So don't panic if the operating system starts to behave differently. It is enough to use the resources of Windows itself. The point is that software snapshots are taken regularly. Also, the user can carry out such manipulations on their own. In no case should you turn off the systems that are responsible for this process.

And you can prevent Windows crashes. ... The fact is that the computer is often loaded with unnecessary programs and graphic effects. If you make regular cleaning on this issue, then you can easily avoid typical troubles. You should also avoid suspicious sites on the Internet where everything is offered for free. Usually only malicious software is available for free. Vigilance and order in the computer will make the work comfortable and fast.

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So, in this article I would like to explain how to do the right Windows XP. Perhaps you already know how to restore your system in some way, but this does not mean that there is only one way. There are many options. Each is designed for different situations. It is also worth noting that each recovery method is different in time.

“ WindowsXP ”: System Restore.

To begin with, you need to determine what exactly is wrong with your OS, and what needs to be done to recover data. First, we try to press the F8 key during BIOS boot. From the options provided, select the one that says boot with the last good configuration. If it doesn't help, then move on.

We select the boot option in If suddenly your system boots, it is due to the fact that the resolution of the monitor is 800x600 or so. Since in this mode the drivers are not loaded.

You need to do the following:

Copy the most important information from the local C drive to another partition or to a USB flash drive. What files are important? For example, the desktop, my documents, various saves in games, program settings, and more.
Try to find the problem that Windows just won't boot. If you find it, then try to solve it.

If it failed to boot, then we continue to restore the Windows XP system using other methods.

Using the same F8 key, we again go into the already familiar menu and select the item that says about disabling automatic reboot.

Why is this needed? This is necessary if you could not identify the problem due to which a similar situation arose. As a result of disabling the reboot, you will be shown a message stating the true reason for everything that is happening.

System RestoreWindowsXP using the installation disc.

Having in hand a disk with a copy of the operating system, you can easily restore your data. But, if you fail to restore your operating system, then at least you can install a new Windows. Of course, if you install a new copy, you can lose all data from the C drive, but you can also avoid this. How? It will be said further.

System RestoreWindowsXP through the console.

First, try to recover data through a special one. To do this, you will need to boot from the installation disk and select the appropriate menu.

So, the loading of the console has begun. You will be asked which OS you need to log into. If you have only one "Windows", then enter the number 1 and press the "Enter" key. There are many commands in the management console that you don't need to know all of. Just a few are enough. But if you are interested, you can enter Help. For a more specific consideration of the help for a particular command, you need to enter the name and / ?.

There is a special function Bootcfg with which you can restore the system file boot.ini if it has been damaged or deleted. Nothing complicated, just type 1 everywhere and press Enter. A slightly crooked file will be created, without the correct OS name, but it will work and the system will boot.

If there was NTLDR, then you need to use the fixboot command. This problem occurs when the boot sector or NTLDR file, which is responsible for loading, is damaged. It is located in the root folder of the C drive (if it is bootable).

If your hard drive is almost "dead", and it slowly moves "from retirement to coffin", then you need to use the chkdsk function. With the help of it, you will be restored (as far as possible) the sectors on the hard disk, and then, perhaps, your "Windows" will boot.

Other ways to recover.

If all else fails, then you need to demolish your OS and install a new one. But first try to restore your system (not through the console). This feature will be available at the moment. There will be three options: install, restore and cancel.

During installation, the C drive will be cleaned. If you select the recovery option, the system files and the entire Windows folder will be replaced.

But you can also do a simple installation, but without formatting. In this case, all the old data will be saved and a folder named "C" will be created in the root directory and your new OS will be there. Then you will have to clean the trash from the old copy.