 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Backing up Internet Dialler settings George Skarbek gskarbek@melbpc.org.au |
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When a user upgrades a computer or has a disk crash, the Internet dialler settings must be re-installed. Often there may be two or more ISPs, each with several numbers that have to be re-entered and not only the phone numbers but also the server settings that involve setting the TCP/IC numbers for the DNS etc. I have been often asked is there any way that I can back up all my Internet settings?
Until recently I was not able to recommend an easy way but I have found one that is possible which involves using Regedit. However, there is no editing required, just exporting some data. As Regedit does not perform any checking, and updates are immediate (there is no option to save or not), be very careful and don't click first and think later.
To export a part of your Registry settings go to Start, Run and type regedit in the dialog box. Then click on the plus sign immediately to the left of HKEY_CURRENT_USER and then click on the RemoteAccess Folder icon. This will show data in the right-hand side but do not click there. With RemoteAccess highlighted, click on Registry, (top right-hand side) and then Export Registry File (see Figure 1). When the Export Registry File dialog box appears, type an appropriate name such as MyISP. Make sure that in the Export Range the Selected Branch is picked. Now click Save to save the file and close the dialog box. If you type A: before the name, the backup file will be saved in the floppy. Finally click on Registry and Exit to close the program.
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Then if you ever have to set up your dial-up networking again, on this or on a new computer, then just run Regedit, click on Registry and Import Registry File and point to your file, MyISP.reg and all your settings will be merged. Even on a new computer, all your settings, the phone numbers, TCP/IP settings and all the Dial-Up network icons will immediately appear on your new computer. Note that your passwords are not exported, as they are not a part of the Registry.
I recommend that all Internet users create this small file, especially before upgrading a computer, or in case of problems, as this will save you a lot of time.
Note that if your new computer has a new modem, then you will need to right-click on the Dial-Up Networking icon and from Properties, Connect Using select your new modem.
Although the registry export and import will restore most settings, you may still have to make a small change to the new browser if your ISP requires a Proxy server to be set and the proxy setting is not restored. Your mail reader settings are also not restored. You will have to enter your user name (which will be restored in the dialler) and the incoming and outgoing mail servers. These should be written down, as your ISP will have supplied them to you when you joined.
Reprinted from the July 1999 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
