RegDatXP v2.0: Confused on Restoring ntuser.dat

[PCRepairGuy]

Hello & Thanks for taking the time to read this post!!!

Every time I log into my regular profile I am told the profile is corrupt and the system then proceeds to log me into a "temporary" profile.

I did a lot of searching on the internet for answers and am now at a point of repair where I cannot find anything to guide me during the "surgery".

What I have learned & done:
First off, most posts (including Microsoft) refer my symptoms to a corrupt ntuser.dat file.
This file cannot be accessed if it is currently loaded by the system, nor accessed using another profile that uses the same windows partition for its loaded files.

Second, I found many references to using RegDatXP as an excellent tool for restoring a "corrupt" file from the "systems" backup directories or from a manual backup I might have made. ( My last backup is 2 months old.. yes, yes.. stupid me )

Third, I bought RegDatXP and following its Help files, I now have slaved my original HD to a temporary HD.

Fourth, I'm a beginner at working in the Registry. I know you can mess things up quickly & permantly if you are stupid enough to change things you don't understand or aren't sure about what you're doing.

Fifth, I'm smart enough to pick up on things by reading manuals or help files as long as the authors aren't expecting a base knowledge above my level.

My Situation:
RegDatXP's help files regarding the repair process are above my knowledge level. I'm confused on how to repair the ntuser.dat file that is located in the profile of the slaved drive. I don't want to mess things up further by being ignorant & too stubborn to ask for help.

My Computer Specs:
The original HD was running XP Pro SP1.
The temporary HD happened to have Win 2K Pro loaded.
(If I need to be slaving to the same OS then I can immediately install XP Pro)

For anyone who takes the time to post a thought-out & well-written set of instructions for me to follow, investigate or tryout, I Thank You Very Much In Advance!!!

[GX1_Man]

Since you bought RegDatXP, I would contact them for detailed instructions in it's use.

It seems like backing up your data files and reinstalling Windows would be easier than all of this.

You are correct that mucking about in the registry can complicate your life, but you may be beyond that point already.

[Raptor]

I had that once, but it fixed it self. Like I knew it would, otherwise it'd be a one way ticket to the reformat-belt.

[PCRepairGuy]

Thank You GX1_Man & Raptor!!

I really appreciate the time you both took to reply.

I didn't contact the author of RegDatXP because I felt he had only sold me the program & not customer service with it.  He had provided Help files that told alot but in some cases were beyond my experience level.  So I didn't feel it was his fault if I didn't know how to properly use the tool.

And you are SOOOO right!!  It would have been easier to reinstall.  The reason why I didn't is because I really want to learn how to solve things without just saying, "Reformat & Install Time!"  LOL

Anyways, I almost did what you two suggested.  Here is the crazy ending to this situtiation which you'll both laugh:

The temporary HD had W2K on it and I was using it to boot up on.  After not finding any effective solution other than to reformat I decided to have some fun with it.
I have the image program HDClone.  I decided to image just my OS partition from my problem drive onto the OS partition that had W2K on it.
After it finished, I booted from that same master drive & SURPRISE!!  I can now boot into my profile that I couldn't on the other HD.
So, I powerdown, make the original drive my Master Drive & Viola!!  I can now boot into my profile.

<Sigh>  Never would have guessed this weird ending.  I sure wish I didn't have to be a computer geek to have smooth running systems that never had problems.. LOL

Thanks again you two!! See you in the next post!!

[patio]

So a Win2K reg.dat file allowed you to boot into your WinXP profile that was corrupted ? ?

That's one for the record books.

But if it works ? ?