Can I manually restore using Time Machine backups

I tried to do it via the install disc but it doesn't find any of the backups. I had stopped the Time Machine backup one night and I think by doing that it has caused problems. Anyways, all of the backup files are there, and I need to do a full copy/replace over to the hdd where leopards installed. I wouldn't have to do this but after reinstalling, I can't get my native resolution going again by doing the same process I had done the first time, so I'm itching to try this and see if it'll work.