System Restore Failure

K

Ken

System restore is monitoring C drive and creatng restore points.
However, I am unable to restore. Restore process to a previous
restore point goes through the boot sequence; then receive an error
message that system restore failed and that no changes were made.
When I try to rerstore to an earlier restore point - the same message.

Once I receive the error message, the computer returns to current
status and works fine. SP2 is installed.
Any ideaas what is wrong / how to fix?

Ken
 
G

Guest

Ken: This is almost exactly the same problem I've had (although I have one
application that is messed up, but everything else is okay). The only
solution I've heard is to disable System Restore, then reboot and re-enable
it. However, this kills all your earlier restore points-- it cures the
disease, but kills the patient.

If you find a better solution than this one, could you post it and email me
as well?
Thanks... Charlie
 
M

Miles

Ken said:
System restore is monitoring C drive and creatng restore points.
However, I am unable to restore. Restore process to a previous
restore point goes through the boot sequence; then receive an error
message that system restore failed and that no changes were made.
When I try to rerstore to an earlier restore point - the same message.

Once I receive the error message, the computer returns to current
status and works fine. SP2 is installed.
Any ideaas what is wrong / how to fix?

Ken
Click to expand...

This happened to me with SP2 installation and MSFT has an free number for
SP2 problems 800/937-5700/0=rep (until 1500 on Sunday). I spent several
hours on Sunday with three guys on the East Coast all of whom sluffed me
off on the Security Dept, who sent me back each time until they closed!
Called back Monday and demanded a mgr. or 2nd level tech and a lady in
India called me back Tuesday who was as sharp as a tack. We went through
it for an hour, then researched, called me back the next day, spent an
hour on the phone, did some more research, called me back and had it
fixed in 20 minutes. Your problem could be entirely different.

Basically what I found was that System Volume Information was empty and
it would not open to reveal the Restore contents, even though System
Restore showed more than one Point. And I had permission, and it still
wouldn't operate even if logged on as administrator.

It is necessary to open in Safe Mode and right click to see the Security
Tab on System Volume Information, then Properties/add/advanced/find
now/add Administrator & Everyone.

In passing, she also mentioned that multiple restorations could break it.
Don't know if that means in one day, one after the other, back and
forth to one restore point, or what. At any rate, I will be conservative!

Good luck,
Miles
 
M

Miles

Ken said:
System restore is monitoring C drive and creatng restore points.
However, I am unable to restore. Restore process to a previous
restore point goes through the boot sequence; then receive an error
message that system restore failed and that no changes were made.
When I try to rerstore to an earlier restore point - the same message.

Once I receive the error message, the computer returns to current
status and works fine. SP2 is installed.
Any ideaas what is wrong / how to fix?

Ken
Click to expand...

Just completed another call with MSFT, due to Sys Restore again failed.
This caused five hours work due to necessity to use an image two weeks
old, then bring it up to date.

What transpired today on the phone call was:

1) Could not restore to two points made two weeks ago. (There was nothing
in between then and yesterday due to using an image two weeks old.)

3) Created a new test restore point. And could restore to it.

4) Still could not restore to 3 points two weeks ago. But could restore
to the last one yesterday, and again, back to the test restore made today.

Obviously some of these restore points become corrupt. This has occurred
three times in the past month and has created about two days work
bringing images up to date. Today will make another image, after first
deleting the restore points in order to reduce image size. (This is
done by turning off System Restore, not deleting each one individually
from System Volume Information. Then will make daily restore points for
the week before making another image next Friday. And, of course, will
get back to MSFT is any of these points become corrupt.

They have no knowledge as to why the points become corrupt. I asked if
it could be related to an index or whatever file regulates and was told no.

At any rate, it is obvious that System Restore is not to be trusted,
hence I will make daily Acronis True Image incremental images. And I
will get back to this group if MSFT ever offers a solution.

Oh, and FYI, was told that if you restore using safe mode, you cannot
undo and return to the current point.

Miles
 
B

Bert Kinney

< inline >
Just completed another call with MSFT, due to Sys Restore
again failed. This caused five hours work due to
necessity to use an image two weeks old, then bring it up to date.
What transpired today on the phone call was:

1) Could not restore to two points made two weeks ago.
(There was nothing in between then and yesterday due to
using an image two weeks old.)
3) Created a new test restore point. And could restore to it.
4) Still could not restore to 3 points two weeks ago. But could
restore to the last one yesterday, and again,
back to the test restore made today.
Obviously some of these restore points become corrupt. This has
occurred three times in the past month and has
created about two days work bringing images up to date. Today will
make another
image, after first deleting the restore points in order
to reduce image size. (This is done by turning off System Restore,
not deleting each one
individually from System Volume Information. Then will
make daily restore points for the week before making
another image next Friday. And, of course, will get back
to MSFT is any of these points become corrupt.
Click to expand...

Well, here are some possible causes for Restore Point corruption:
3ed party application that interferes the SR filter drive, such as an
anti virus program, or as I suspect, Norton System Works.
Improper shutdown
Power outage causing an improper shutdown
Due to changes made to files on a system from another OS
They have no knowledge as to why the points become corrupt. I asked
if it could be related to an index or whatever file regulates and
was told no.
At any rate, it is obvious that System Restore is not to be trusted,
hence I will make daily Acronis True Image incremental
images. And I will get back to this group if MSFT ever
offers a solution.
Click to expand...

Question, does Acronis True Image run from with in Windows, or before
windows starts?

Have you tried performing a clean boot?
How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353

How to troubleshoot by using the System Configuration utility in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560
 
Z

Zilbandy

Search for a program called ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility for NT).
This will allow you to make registry backups that are stored as normal
files on your hard drive. They won't disappear on you. Excellent
documentation comes with the free program. I have ERUNT configured to
make a backup at each bootup. I manually manage the backups and keep a
couple weeks worth on hand, just in case.
 
M

Miles

Bert said:
< inline >



Well, here are some possible causes for Restore Point corruption:
3ed party application that interferes the SR filter drive, such as an
anti virus program, or as I suspect, Norton System Works.
Improper shutdown
Power outage causing an improper shutdown
Due to changes made to files on a system from another OS




Question, does Acronis True Image run from with in Windows, or before
windows starts?
Click to expand...

Before windows starts in Linux.
Have you tried performing a clean boot?
How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353
Yes.



How to troubleshoot by using the System Configuration utility in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560
Click to expand...

Used MS config last week with the problem and started windows with
diagnostic startup -- virtually nothing running.
Guess what, Restore again failed -- couldn't even use the point that was
created this morning. Tried several points, but nothing. Then found
that Roxio ECDC Player was inoperative to play VCD's. Don't understand
how this could be caused by playing with Sys Restore, but that's all that
was done.

Again called MSFT SP2, and spent some time on the phone while it was
researched and she checked with others. Couldn't come up with anything.
So I have again gone back to the two-week old image, and spent two
hours getting all back to where it was -- and Roxio again works. And
I've shut down Sys Restore. Incidentally, I did send the ailing restore
info to MSFT as you suggested.

Now, all that's needed is to complete the various checks and make a new
TI image. Will not be turning on Sys Restore again!

Miles
 
M

Miles

Zilbandy said:
Search for a program called ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility for NT).
This will allow you to make registry backups that are stored as normal
files on your hard drive. They won't disappear on you. Excellent
documentation comes with the free program. I have ERUNT configured to
make a backup at each bootup. I manually manage the backups and keep a
couple weeks worth on hand, just in case.
Click to expand...

Sounds good and will look for it - depends on cost -- but it is a method
to preserve things before installing or updating a program as opposed to
making a TI image.

Miles
 
M

Miles

Zilbandy said:
How does FREE sound? :)
Click to expand...

Sounds like a great price! But what's the difference between that
program and simply making a compressed backup of the registry?
Miles
 
Z

Zilbandy

Miles said:
Sounds like a great price! But what's the difference between that
program and simply making a compressed backup of the registry?
Click to expand...

First of all, I'm not guru when it comes to computers. As I understand
it, XP has managed to scatter the registry over several places, called
'hives'... this number can vary with the number of users; unlike
Windows 98 that just had two files to worry about for the registry.
ERUNT takes the work out of finding all the hiding places and makes a
takes the load off the user to manually backup all the parts of the
registry. I think, I could be totally wrong here, but I think Windows
restore points backup the registry and additional selected files from
your system, while ERUNT strictly backs up registry entries. Whatever
it does, it's saved my bacon more than once, and believe me... I've
got a load of bacon to save. LOL System Restore points have
disappeared on me more than once, while ERUNT's files are nicely
stored as a single folder on the drive / folder of your choosing. Each
registy backup has its own location, and its own .exe file to start
the restore process. I'd better shut up hear before I get in too deep.
:) The price is right; give it a try and decide whether you like it
or not.
 
M

Miles

Bert said:
< inline >



Well, here are some possible causes for Restore Point corruption:
3ed party application that interferes the SR filter drive, such as an
anti virus program, or as I suspect, Norton System Works.
Improper shutdown
Power outage causing an improper shutdown
Due to changes made to files on a system from another OS




Question, does Acronis True Image run from with in Windows, or before
windows starts?

Have you tried performing a clean boot?
How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353

How to troubleshoot by using the System Configuration utility in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560
Click to expand...

You need to make a very small "hidden partition" of a few MB's for
Acronis and it starts in Linux. Don't ask me any more details than that
for I could not tell you how it operates. What occurs is when the
computer is booted up, prior to windows opening a one line entry on the
black screen reads to the effect, "To open Acronis True Image, press
F11." From here, outside of windows, is where backups of C are made and
where C is restored from. The backup can be anywhere, CD's, DVD's,
another partition, or a removable drive -- when True Image is opened, a
listing of drives appears and you search for the image you wish to use
for restoration. A similar event takes place when making an image.)

If you would like more information you might go to:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=65

Believe you would need to first register for the forums.

Also, of course, you can read what is said at Acronis' website --
acronis.com. Apparently they have recently released update, Version 8,
for US$ 50.

Miles





Miles
 
M

Miles

Bert said:
Is this a dual boot (two OS on one partition) or multi boot system
(two OS each on it's own partition)?
Click to expand...
You need to make a very small "hidden partition" of a few MB's for
Acronis and it starts in Linux. Don't ask me any more details than that
for I could not tell you how it operates. What occurs is when the
computer is booted up, prior to windows opening a one line entry on the
black screen reads to the effect, "To open Acronis True Image, press
F11." From here, outside of windows, is where backups of C are made and
where C is restored from. The backup can be anywhere, CD's, DVD's,
another partition, or a removable drive -- when True Image is opened, a
listing of drives appears and you search for the image you wish to use
for restoration. A similar event takes place when making an image.)

If you would like more information you might go to:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=65

Believe you would need to first register for the forums.

Also, of course, you can read what is said at Acronis' website --
acronis.com. Apparently they have recently released update, Version 8,
for US$ 50.

Miles
 
B

Bert Kinney

Hi Miles,

The reason I ask is that if any changes are made to a monitored drive
while SR is not running can cause corruption of the restore points. I
see that Acronis has the ability to restore individual files and
folders. If this is done while SR is not running that would cause
restore point corruption. I am just wondering if Acronis is causing
the corruption.
 
M

Miles

Bert said:
Hi Miles,

The reason I ask is that if any changes are made to a monitored drive
while SR is not running can cause corruption of the restore points. I
see that Acronis has the ability to restore individual files and
folders. If this is done while SR is not running that would cause
restore point corruption. I am just wondering if Acronis is causing
the corruption.
Click to expand...

Never thought of that, but you could be right. However, no, I have not
restored any individual files for many months. If SysRestore ever again
becomes of value I will need to be careful of that -- although I'm not
quite certain which files SysRestore would not be interested in, other
than data. If we are talking about 100% of all programs files, then we
could be in trouble.

Miles
 
G

Guest

Thank you Bert, I foud that first link helpful, I own a compaq and it has a D
drive that is used for the recovery drive. All I had to do was tell system
restore to quit monitoring the drive and system restore now works. For those
of you who don't know what I am talking about. Remember this is for Compaq
owners with thier D drive as thier recovery drive. Go to my computer, right
click, choose properties, click on system restore tab. Then click on D drive
then click the settings button, check the box that says "turn off system
restore on this drive" and that will take care of the problem.
 

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