system restore not creating system checkpoints

[Eric and Megan Swope]

Hi. I am running windows xp home spe2 on my computer. System restore will
not create the "system checkpoint" for me at a given time interval. I will
list what I have done so far to help diagnose my problem.

I followed all the steps on this link by Bert:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srauto.html

I typed eventvwr.msc in the run line. Clicked system on the left, then
source on the right. I found some events for sr, but these were the ones I
did myself when turning off, then back on system restore.

Task scheduler and system restore services are running. I confirmed this by
typing cmd, then net start in the run line.

I have the space allowed on my hard drive set to the max, and there are 25
GB free.

I am able to create manual system restore points and they are also created
if I install/uninstall a program.

I have reinstalled system restore using the sr.inf file.

I used the "xpsystemrestoreponitsfrequency.vbs" to change my time interval
to 1 hour just to see if it worked, but it didn't.

I checked my registry settings for system restore. Disable SR is set to 0.
Restore status is set to 1 (I posted that because I thought one means
disable in the registry, but I don't know what restore status is)

I do have a screen saver on, my system is set so the hard drive turns off
after 1 hour, but never goes into standby or hibernation.

I am not sure what else to do at this point or what to check. If anyone else
has suggestions, please let me know. At this point I am frustrated because I
can not get this to work. Thanks.

 

[lvee]

What do you use for your virus scanning?
Also, do you leave your computer on when you are not using it, or do you
shut it down every time you are done using it?

 

[Eric and Megan Swope]

Hey Ivee. I leave my computer on all the time. I don't have it go into
system standby or hibernation either. I use AVG Free Edition for virus
protection.
I do leave my DSL connection, connected all the time. Would that pose a
problem?

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Make sure that the Task Scheduler and SR Services are running by typing the
following from Start>Run

services.msc

SR will only automatically create checkpoints every 24 hours when the system
is idle. Are you running any background programs such as Seti@home?

 

[Eric and Megan Swope]

Hi Will. Task Scheduler and SR Services are running.
As far as the background programs, how do I check for those? Use task
manager? I am not sure what seti@home even is?

I reinstalled sr using the sr.inf file. I then found a script at this link:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srauto.html to change the time interval of
creation of these points. I changed it to an hour, just to see if it would
work, but no go. I am not sure why this is happening and am frustrated.
Thanks
for your help.
Eric

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi,

You will also want to make sure the system is virus/malware clean. Such infections can
cause the system to have no idle. Automatic restore points will only be created during
idle time.

Process Explorer can help identify running process that may be taking up CPU causing an
absents of idle time.

Download Process Explorer
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml

Here another possibility.

Go to Start - Run and type Services.msc then press enter. Look under the Status column for
any entries that read "Starting" rather than "Started".

 

[Will Denny]

Hi Eric

Bert's script does work and should have created a new checkpoint after the
designated time. Did you reboot your system after applying the script?

 

[lvee]

No, not at all. I was wondering, trying to figure out if you indeed had
virus activity during idle time, mine does, and I can't remember where I was
going with the 'leave it running or shutting it down...sheesh, getting old
is a bummer.

 

[Eric and Megan Swope]

Hi guys. Thanks for all of your help.
Bert, I found no services that said "starting". only started or blank.
task scheduler was "started" and "automatic" as was system restore.

I disabled screen saver, put my computer in an always on power state
according to power schemes, disabled antivirus, disabled spybot and ms
antispy.

I set the automatic creation interval to 0.25, which would be 15 minutes in
the script from Bert's site. Still nada.

Eric

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi Eric,

Close any open programs.
Unplug any internet connection such as Cable or DSL.
Run Process Explorer as suggested. In PE click Ctrl+L to remove the lower pane.
While not touching the system "System Idle Process" should be between 97 and 99%
If not look in the CPU column for what may be using up the process time.
If you don't see restore points being created, start killing processes.
Do not kill processes that are blank or have Microsoft in the "Company Name" column.
Having the automatic creation interval set to 15 minutes, wait and see if a restore point
is created in the next half hour.
Report back with you findings.