Backup and Restore Windows 2000 Configuration Files

To backup C:\Winnt\System\Config system files:

  1. Format a floppy disk using a Windows 98 CDROM and the 'Format a: /s' command.
  2. Then copy the files supplied in my Zip File to the 'A:'. 
  3. Then Restart your computer using the Windows 98 CDROM and Boot with CDROM support!
  4. Copy the following files shown on the 'A:' to the floppy in the 'B:' :
    Aspi2dos.sys
    Aspi8dos.sys
    Aspi4dos.sys
    Aspi8u2.sys
    Aspicd.sys
    Btdosm.sys
    Btcdrom.sys
    FindCd.exe
    Flashpt.sys
    Himem.sys
    Oakcdrom.sys
  5. Then restart your computer using the floppy as 'A:' and Choose 'Backup 1' in the Config.sys Menu.  After each additional change to the system configuration through setting up new software, restart the computer using the A: and alternate between Backup 1 and Backup 2.  Should a read failure occur during the process then it will most likely indicate system failure for the last set up.  Try starting up the computer as normal and if the computer halts due to a system failure, restart the computer using the A: and restore the last good backup.
  6. Should the computer start without error, schedule a Boot Up Disk Check and a Defragmentation if you have Page Defrag installed (should still be available on freebie websites).
  7. Restart the computer using the floppy in 'A:' and try the same back up again.

The Last Back up is indicated by the filename of the Log file in the C:\Backup folder.

Copy backed up files to a rewriteable CD before running a Full Defragmentation in Windows, as failures in writing to a Bad Disk usually occur during the defragmentation process.  You may choose to delete the C:\Backup folder and files when the system is operating smoothly.  To restore files from the CD, you can either use the Copy from CD Link below or select to restore from CD on the Config.sys Menu when starting up with the 'A:' (making sure that all files on the CDROM can be seen in DOS before deleting from the 'C:').

When prompted using the links below, choose to 'Open' file rather than save.

Copy Backup Files to CD (Go)

Copy Backup Files from CD (Go)