System Restore Points

[davecabezo]

Hi,

I had a problem after installing CD Creator from a CD I had as it was not compatable with XP Pro so I went into System Restore to go back to before the installation.
To my horror system restore said that there were no previous restore points to go to, period.

I have checked all of the settings and I have not turned off system restore on any drives.

Does anyone know what the problem is? I understood that system restore automatically created system restore points periodically.

As it happens I've sorted the problem I had with CD Creator but I'm very concerned about the lack of restore points.

Help Please,

Dave

[Allan]

System restore works great for some and not so great for others. I'm a strong advocate of using a disk imaging utility on a regular basis. You will find it a better option and much more reliable than System Restore. If you prefer to just back up your registry, download and use ERUNT - it's free and it's superb (but not a replacement for disc imaging software)

[davecabezo]

Many thanks for the quick reply Alan,
Why does System restore not seem to be working and what disc imaging software do you recommend.

Regards,

Dave

[Allan]

I couldn't begin to guess why it isn't working. As I said, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Many users have exactly the same problem.

Regarding imaging software, if you want a retail product then Acronis True Image is the best. If you want a free alternative, here are some: http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/backupandimage.shtml

[davecabezo]

Many thanks Alan,

Will research further,

Kind Regards.

Dave

[Karnac]

Some good info here ......

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_restore.htm

[2x3i5x]

how well does windows vista's backup (via backup and restore center) work?

Is still a third party software recommended?

[Allan]

how well does windows vista's backup (via backup and restore center) work?

System Restore is system restore. It works. Except sometimes it doesn't

Is still a third party software recommended?

Under all circumstances - for all users

[JJ 3000]

Can you manually create a restore point?

Try this:
Click Start then Run and type in sfc /scannow and press enter. This will run the system file checker. Have your windows CD handy - it will ask for it.

[davecabezo]

I have no problem at all manually creating restore points but cannot get it to do so automatically.

Dave

[dahlarbear]

Check the status of the "System Restore Service".  On the Windows XP Pro SP3 system I'm posting from, it's set to:
     o  Status:  Started
     o  Startup Type:  Automatic
     o  Log On As:  Local System

To access system services info:
     o  Select "Start" - start menu displays
     o  Right-click "My Computer"- context menu displays
     o  Select "Manage" - Computer Management windows displays
     o  Double-click "Services and Applications" category (left window pane) to expand it
     o  Select "Services" item - All windows services display in right window pane
     o  Select "Standard" tab bottom right pane to gain more real estate
     o  Scroll down right window pane until you find "System Restore Service".
     o  View it's status - double-click item to open Properties for edit.

[davecabezo]

Many Thanks for the reply, I had already checked and the results are the same as you posted but as I said in my post, when I go to recover a restore point there aren't any restore points other than the ones I set manually, the only exception was very recently when I had a problem install a program, a restore point was set by the computer. Does the computer not set restore points periodically? Also I found it strange that when I needed a restore point there wasn't a single one!

Regards,

Dave

[Allan]

Make sure the Task Scheduler service is also set to Automtic.