Questions about Returnil

[Defcon]

I apologize for another Returnil thread but I could not find the answers using search.

1. How does it affect the bootloader in Vista? I have 2 entries right now (for Vista and Norton Ghost rescue) in bcdedit. I don't want anything overwriting that and installing itself.

2. What happens to data that needs to be updated? e.g. Windows has to update the prefetch cache on each boot as it tries to optimize the load. Antivirus and various other apps update themselves. Apps need to update their AppData folders. From what I read I have to commit these changes every time before shutdown otherwise they will be lost (or in case of a crash). Is there a way to not virtualize certain folders?

3. Is there a way to install an app without first turning it off and rebooting. Like saying - persist all changes made by this installer. How does it handle apps that require a reboot to finish (as in most system utilities)

Do I need the premium version or is the free one enough? Is there a performance difference between the two?

[ambient_88]

{QUOTE-> I apologize for another Returnil thread but I could not find the answers using search.

1. How does it affect the bootloader in Vista? I have 2 entries right now (for Vista and Norton Ghost rescue) in bcdedit. I don't want anything overwriting that and installing itself.

2. What happens to data that needs to be updated? e.g. Windows has to update the prefetch cache on each boot as it tries to optimize the load. Antivirus and various other apps update themselves. Apps need to update their AppData folders. From what I read I have to commit these changes every time before shutdown otherwise they will be lost (or in case of a crash). Is there a way to not virtualize certain folders?

3. Is there a way to install an app without first turning it off and rebooting. Like saying - persist all changes made by this installer. How does it handle apps that require a reboot to finish (as in most system utilities)

Do I need the premium version or is the free one enough? Is there a performance difference between the two? <-QUOTE}
1) I don't think it modifies the bootloader, though I'm not 100% positive.

2) Yes, you will have to commit those changes. You can selectively exclude files/folders from the disk protection, however. I haven't used this feature, so I'm not sure how it works.

3) Returnil allows you to save a session even if the disk protection is on. All you have to do is save the changes before rebooting. So, if an installation requires a reboot all you have to do is save the changes.

[Huupi]

Hi, AFAIK Returnil dont let you save software installs (registry,drivers.services,folders) on next reboot,it only can save data created in current session. ;)

[ambient_88]

{QUOTE-> Hi, AFAIK Returnil dont let you save software installs (registry,drivers.services,folders) on next reboot,it only can save data created in current session. ;) <-QUOTE}
Really? I thought that if you save the changes, everything will be saved.

[Huupi]

{QUOTE-> Really? I thought that if you save the changes, everything will be saved. <-QUOTE}

Yes, its obscure how to explain '' total session save '' but Returnil and for that matter other ISR's have no functions to save installs on next reboot.

In VM's you can save sessions through out reboots for testing softwares,if you screw up,just revert back or delete the snapshot.

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> Yes, its obscure how to explain '' total session save '' but Returnil and for that matter other ISR's have no functions to save installs on next reboot.
<-QUOTE}

Have to becare about defining ISR's FDISR, Rollback, Eaz-FIX are ISR's where you can indeed install and reboot.

Returnil,Shadowdefender, etc are sort of ISR's where you can't install anything that requires a reboot as part of installation.

Pete

[Huupi]

{QUOTE-> Have to becare about defining ISR's FDISR, Rollback, Eaz-FIX are ISR's where you can indeed install and reboot.

Returnil,Shadowdefender, etc are sort of ISR's where you can't install anything that requires a reboot as part of installation.

Pete <-QUOTE}

Yes,your right indeed they can save,a bit disturbing to leave them out as a mean for save at reboot,sorry for that.