Computer Hope
Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows Vista and 7 => Topic started by: Bobh on October 12, 2010, 01:04:58 PM
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Hello -
I ran a backup and I got it on 3 DVD. The program said it was successful. Now I want to run a restore. I go to the control panel and click on backup and restore center. This brings up a panel which has a restore files space which I click on. That brings up a panel which has the date and the DVD that I ran the backup on. If I click on next I can restore files and folders. This is not what I want. I want to use the backup to restore everything because I have made a mistake and want to go back to a time before the mistake. I hope someone can figure out what I am trying to say and tell me where I am going wrong. Thanks Bob
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Hi-
I failed to say that I am using Vista Home Basic 32 bit. Bob
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It depends on the mistake.
If it was a bad driver or update, then you could use System Restore and roll back to before the mistake was made.
If it was a deleted file or folder, then just restore it from the Recycle Bin. If it's deleted from the Recycle Bin, then restore selected files from the backup.
If it was a mistake so catastrophic that you absolutely feel as if you have to do a complete restore, you can certainly do that. Just restore all files from the backup set.
More info here: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/100253-restore-backup-files.html (yes, this is a 64-bit Vista website, but the instructions work for 32-bit as well).
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Killerb255 -
Thanks for your reply. I will check your suggestion. Bob
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Killerb255 -
I followed the instructions but it did not work like I expected. It asked for the first DVD which I put in. I could never hear it running nor did it ask for any other DVD. Maybe I don't know what to ask for. When I use "system restore" in the "all Programs" panel I can choose a restore point and run a complete restore. However, when I try to run a restore using the back up on the DVD it does not give me a full back up.
Suppose something erased all my restore points, I could run a restore from the DVD. That is the reason I am trying to learn how to use the back up and restore. Am I trying to do the right way?
Thanks for your time. Bob
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"System Restore" and restoring from a backup are two different things. I know...it doesn't help that Microsoft called them by similar names.
System Restore takes a snapshot of registry changes, driver changes, and things like that and saves them on (usually) the same drive that the operating system is installed on. This is done through Start -> Control Panel -> System -> System Protection.
Restoring from a backup is an entirely different process. Files, folders, and whatnot that are on the backup media (in this case, your DVD), are copied from that medium back to your computer, (usually) overwriting what's currently there. This is done through Start -> Control Panel -> Backup and Restore, as the tutorial states.
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killerb255 -
Thanks for your reply. I still have not solved my problem but I have a friend that is knowledgeable about computers. When he has time he is going to come over and I will show him my problem. I am sure he will see where I am doing something wrong. Thank you for your time. Bob