Backup Screen

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Compact Screen

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Restore Screen

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Help Screen

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Setup Screen

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Backup Preferences

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Restore Preferences

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Number of Backups
Unlimited number of backups - adds backups to the WinRescue directory without deleting old backup sets.


Backup button
Backup Button - press the "Backup" button to backup configuration files.  These files will be copied to a subdirectory of your WinRescue directory.  WinRescue will assign the date to the name of the subdirectory and allow you to change it if you want.
To backup to diskette you must first change the Backup Preferences.


Moving the Window
Moves the WinRescue 95 window when the left mouse button is held down and moved.


Minimize the Window
Minimizes the WinRescue 95 window.


Exit WinRescue 95
Exits WinRescue 95.


Compact Button
Compact Button - press the "Compact" button to compact or compress Windows95's Registry.  It is recommended to compact the Registry at regular intervals.  Without compacting the Registry, no matter how many changes you make to the Registry, it will never become smaller.  The changes that are made become excess mush in the Registry that is only removed by compacting it.  Compacting the Registry may also correct some problems and cause Windows95 to run smoother.
The first time you compact the Registry, watch what the computer does in DOS.  If an error occurs, you must update your regedit file.  Press the "If Compact Caused an Error, Click Here" button to display instructions and helps to update the regedit file.


Restore button
Restore Button - press the "Restore . . ." button to restore Windows95's configuration to a previous configuration.  This is achieved by copying previously saved configuration files back to the configuration files.  Exactly which files will be used depends on the Restore Preferences.


Help Button
Help Button - press the "Help" button to display Help.
<F1> may be pressed at anytime to display help relevant to the active control.


Setup Button
Setup Button - press the "Setup" button to display the Setup and Preferences window.


Setup Listbox
Setup Listbox - double click on one of the items in the list box to display its corresponding settings.  The following items are available in the listbox:

Number of Backups

Compress Backups

Which Registry

Backup to Diskette

Restore from Diskette

Method of Restore

Files to Restore

Delete Backups

Rename Backups

Default Directories

Auto Start Frequency

Auto Backup Frequency

Auto Compact Frequency


3 Backups
3 Backups - with this option, only three backup sets are kept in the WinRescue directory.  When a fourth backup is made, the backup set in position MR1 is deleted, MR2 is moved up to MR1 and the new backup set is put in the MR2 position.  The first backup set (1) is not deleted.


10 Backups
10 Backups - with this option only ten backup sets are kept in the WinRescue directory.  When an eleventh backup is made, the backup set in position MR1 is deleted, all the other MR's are moved up one place, and the new backup set is put in the MR7 position.  The first three backup sets (1, 2, 3) are not deleted.


Backup to Diskette
Backup to Diskette - pressing the Backup button (on the Backup page) compresses all configuration files and copies them to the specified drive.  Unless you have an abnormally large Registry, these files will all fit on a 1.44mb diskette.  Be sure to specify the drive letter of your diskette drive (A is default).


Compress
Compress Backup Files - when this checkbox is checked the backup files are compressed to approximately one third their normal size.  The drawback of having backups compressed is that Backup and Restore processes take longer.


Which Registry
Which Registry to Backup

Windows keeps two Registries: the previous Registry and the current Registry.
The current Registry choice is provided for those who like to live dangerously.  Windows is constantly consulting and changing the current Registry.  If Windows consults it while you are backing it up, your backup will be bad.  You will only find out that it is bad when you try to restore from it and it doesn't work.  So my advice to you is to backup the previous Registry or at least have a few on hand.
The previous Registry will not have any changes that have been made since Windows was started.  If you are using this option and you want to save current changes, restart Windows95 first and then do a backup.


OK Button
Saves any changes and closes the Preferences window.


Cancel Button
Closes the Preferences window without saving any changes.


Apply Button
Saves any changes without closing the Preferences window.


Restore Wizard
Restore Wizard - causes the Restore button (in the Restore window) to take the steps necessary to restore Windows to the most recent settings it can.
The Wizard will first restore the previous Registry and restart Windows.  When Windows starts the Wizard will ask if Windows is running correctly.  If it is not, it will restore the Spare Registry.  If that doesn't work, it will restore the Backups from the most current to the oldest.  Finally, if all of that does not work, the Wizard will restore to the original Registry.


Restore Previous Registry
Restore Previous Registry - causes the Restore button (in the Restore window) to restore the Previous Registry.  Only the registry files and none of the other configuration files are restored.
Restore Previous Registry restores the most current backup of the registry, but it doesn't always work.  Many times when Windows crashes, the Previous Registry is also corrupt.  If this is the case, this method will not work.
If Windows figures out that it has crashed, it will prompt you to restore the Previous Registry.  If this has happened and Windows still doesn't work you will want to skip this method.


Restore Spare Registry
Restore Spare Registry - causes the Restore button (on the Restore page) to restore the Spare Registry.  Whenever a backup is made by WinRescue, WinRescue makes an uncompressed spare backup of the Previous Registry and places it in the Windows directory as user.ray and system.ray.  This is the Spare Registry.
When Restore is performed with this method only the registry files and none of the other configuration files are restored.


Restore Backup
Restore Backup -  causes the Restore button (on the Restore page) to restore the selected Backup.  The dropdown list box allows you to select which backup to restore.  The top selection (Most Recent Backup) will restore the most recent backup.  This method restores all of the files that are checked in the Files to Restore section.


Restore from Backup
Restore from Diskette - causes the Restore button (on the Restore page) to restore a backup from diskette.  The drive letter of the diskette drive must be entered in the Backup Preferences (A is the default drive).


Restore Original Registry
Restore Original Registry - causes the Restore button (on the Restore page) to restore the Original Registry.  Restoring to the Original Registry is just like reinstalling Windows without spending the thirty minutes doing it.  You will be prompted for a user name, time zone, etc.
This should be taken only as a last resort.


Files to Restore
Files to Restore - these files are restored when "Restore Backup" is executed.  The files are grouped into the following categories:

Registry Files

Initiation Files

Bootup Files

Start Menu

Cache Files

Miscellaneous Files


Registry Files
Registry Files - system.dat and user.dat are the Registry files.  They are in the Windows directory and are hidden.
System.da0 and user.da0 are the Previous Registry files.  They are also in the Windows directory and are hidden.


Initiation Files
Initiation Files - win.ini and system.ini are initiation files consulted by the Registry.  They are in the Windows directory.


Bootup Files
Bootup Files - autoexec.bat and config.sys are the bootup files used by DOS.  They are in the root directory (usually C:\).


Start Menu
Start Menu - start.ini is a list of files and directories in the start menu.  This file is created by WinRescue and put in the WinRescue\Backup directory.
When Restore Backup is perform with this option checked, WinRescue compares all of the files and directories in the start menu with the list in Start.ini and deletes any excess.
This option is only recommended after Restore Original Registry has been performed.  It will get rid of all the excess shortcuts that Windows put in the Start Menu.


Cache Files
Cache Files - system.cb, ShellIconCache, and ttfCache are the cache files used by Windows.  They are in the Windows directory.  ShellIconCache and ttfCache are hidden files.


Miscellaneous Files
Miscellaneous Files - msdos.sys is a miscellaneous file that gives Windows parameters to DOS programs.  It is in the root directory (usually C:\).  It is a hidden file.


List of All Backup Sets
List of All Backup Sets - when a backup is added to the harddrive, it is added to this list.  From this list you can rename or delete the backup sets.


Heading to the Backup Column
Heading to the Backup Column - the current number of backups on the harddrive is here.  This is the heading to the column that tells the names of the Backup Sets.


Backup Sets
Backup Sets - when a backup is made all of the files are put in a new subdirectory of WinRescue.  The name of the subdirectory is listed in this column.


Full Path of Backups
Full Path of Backups - the location of each backup set is listed here.  This setting cannot be changed and should be the WinRescue directory.


Rename Backups
Rename Backups - the Backups may be renamed by selecting a Backup and then either pressing the Rename button or clicking the mouse one more time.  Renaming an item renames the directory.
WARNING - if you rename a backup outside of WinRescue (by with the Explorer) an error will occur when running WinRescue.


Delete Backup
Delete Backup - to delete a Backup select the Backup and then press the Delete button.  This will delete the subdirectory of that Backup and all of its files.
WARNING - if you delete a Backup outside of WinRescue (by using the Explorer) an error will occur when running WinRescue.


Backup Manager

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Miscellaneous Preferences

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Default Directories
Default Directories - directories where configuration files are found.  Some foreign versions and network setups of Windows use different directories.  This option allows the user to change the default directories.  If WinRescue works, DO NOT change these settings.  If the wrong directories are specified, WinRescue will not work correctly.
The directories that may be changed are:

Root

Startup

Windows

System

User


Root Directory Setting
Root Directory Setting - the directory where autoexec.bat and config.sys are located.  It is usually C:\.
When this button is clicked a submenu will appear with the following choices:

Current Root Directory Setting

Browse

Default Directory


Current Directory Setting
Current Directory Setting - tells the current directory setting of the selected button.
This item is for your information only, clicking on it will do nothing.


Startup Directory Setting
Startup Directory Setting - the location of the Startup directory.  WinRescue consults the Registry for the location of the Startup directory, so this setting should not need to be changed.
When this button is clicked a submenu will appear with the following choices:

Current Startup Directory Setting

Browse

Default Directory


Default Directory Browse
Browse - selecting this item will display an open dialog box.  Find the needed file (except with the Startup directory where only a directory needs to be selected) on your harddrive, select it, and press Open.  Press Cancel to keep the old directory.


Default Directory
Default Directory - clicking on this item will set the directory setting back to the default setting.  This item is not enabled if the current directory setting is the same as the default setting.


System Directory Setting
System Directory Setting - the directory where system.dat is located.  This is not neccesarily the Windows\System directory.
When this button is clicked a submenu will appear with the following choices:

Current System Directory Setting

Browse

Default Directory


User Directory Setting
User Directory Setting - the directory where user.dat is located.
When this button is clicked a submenu will appear with the following choices:

Current User Directory Setting

Browse

Default Directory


Windows Directory Setting
Windows Directory Setting - the directory where win.ini is located.
When this button is clicked a submenu will appear with the following choices:

Current Windows Directory Setting

Browse

Default Directory


Functions to Perform Regularly
Functions to Perform Regularly - if one of these functions is set to something besides "Do Not Perform", a shortcut in the Startup directory will check to see if it is time to perform the function everytime Windows is started.
The three functions that can be performed regularly are:

Start

Backup

Compact


Start and Wait
Start and Wait - at the selected interval (daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or never) WinRescue will start when Windows is started.
If you want to perform one of the other options and want WinRescue to remain open after the operation is performed, set this frequency at the same time and to the same frequency as the other operation.


Automatically perform Backup
Automatically Perform Backup - at the selected interval (daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or never) WinRescue will start and perform a backup when Windows is started.
If you have registered WinRescue and are not displaying the startup screen, this function will be automatically performed at the selected interval without the need for any input by you.  If you want WinRescue to remain running after this operation is performed, set the "Start WinRescue 95 and Wait" function.


Automatically Perform Compact
Automatically Perform Compact - at the selected interval (daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or never) WinRescue will start and compact the Registry when Windows is started.
If you have registered WinRescue and are not displaying the startup screen, this function will be automatically performed at the selected interval without the need for any input by you.  If you want WinRescue to remain running after this operation is performed, set the "Start WinRescue 95 and Wait" function.


OK Button
Closes the Compact Error Information window.


Download Regedit
Download Regedit - pressing one of these buttons will open your default browser (if you have one), go to the stated site, and download a newer version of regedit.
The first site will be operational until Microsoft makes the newer version available on its web site.  So try the first button first and if it doesn't work, then go looking on Microsoft's website.


Unzip Regedit
Unzip Regedit - the downloaded regedit may be zipped.  If so unzip it.


Find File
Find Downloaded Regedit - use the browse button to find where your browser downloaded the new version of regedit to on your harddrive.  Do not select the one in the Windows directory.  This is the old one.


Replace Old Regedit
Replace Old Regedit - if you have done the first two steps, clicking the Replace button will copy the new regedit over the old one.


Compact Error Information Screen

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Continue Button
Starts WinRescue 95.


Exit button
Quits WinRescue 95.


Do Not Show This Form
Do Not Show This Form - when WinRescue is registered, this checkbox is enabled allowing the user to skip the startup screen.


Registration Key
Registration Key - when you register WinRescue, you will receive a number.  Enter it in the Registration Key text box on the startup screen.  Be sure to enter exactly as it is written.  When your press, "Continue", WinRescue will acknowledge whether it is correct or not.  If it is correct, the "Do Not Show This Form" checkbox will be enabled next time the startup screen is displayed.  If the Registration Key is not correct, WinRescue will be terminated.
You may use WinRescue for 30 days by not entering a number.
If you have already registered an earlier version of WinRescue, send me your name and the date when you registered WinRescue.  If you are indeed a registered user, I will send you the Registration Key.  My email address is geide@superwin.com.


Countdown
Countdown - sorry.  Register WinRescue and you will never see this countdown again, otherwise wait ten seconds.


Startup Screen

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WinRescue Features

Provides FIVE different ways to restore the Registry.
Backs up ELEVEN different files.
Makes UNLIMITED backups.
Puts all backup files in one directory.
Compacts the Registry.
Backs up to diskette.
Compresses backups.
Easy Help (just press <F1>).

WinRescue Does Not

Enter the Registry or change the Registry in any way.
Alter files used by the Registry (except in Compact).
Backup any of the Windows 95 Program files.
Backup any other program files.


How to

How to Backup

Push the Backup button on the Backup page.

How to Compact

Push the Compact button on the Compact page.

How to Restore in Windows

Push the Restore button on the Restore page.

How to Restore in DOS

This one is a little harder.
Find rescue.exe in C:\ drive (or wherever it may be) and run it.

How to Get Help

Push the Help button on the Help page or press <F1>.

How to Change Settings

Push the Setup button on the Setup page.