Registry Is Not Backed Up Automatically at Startup

ID: Q198864

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 98

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you start your computer, the registry may not be backed up automatically.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if either of the following conditions exists:

In the C:\Windows\Scanreg.ini file, the "Backup=" line is set to 0.

In the registry, the ScanRegistry value is missing from the Run key.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, use the appropriate method:

Modify the Scanreg.ini File

Modify the Scanreg.ini file to back up the registry automatically:

Click Start, point to Find, and then click "Files or Folders."

Type scanreg.ini in the Named box, and then click Find Now. Note that you should find one file located in the Windows folder.

Double-click Scanreg.ini. The file should open in Notepad.

Correct the "Backup=" line to "Backup=1" (without quotation marks).

On the File menu, click Save, and then quit Notepad.

For additional information about how to configure the Registry Checker tool, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to Customize Registry Checker Tool Settings

Add ScanRegistry to the Run Key in the Registry

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

To add ScanRegistry to the Run key in the registry, use Registry Editor to add a new string value named ScanRegistry with a data value of C:\Windows\Scanregw.exe /autorun under the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

For additional information about command-line switches for the Registry Checker tool, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Command-Line Switches for the Registry Checker Tool

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about command-line switches for the Registry Checker tool, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Description of the Windows Registry Checker Tool (Scanreg.exe)

Additional query words:


Keywords          : kbenv kbtool win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: January 13, 1999