Disable System Restore on external disc

[Guest]

I have a USB external 3.5" disc case with an IDE Maxtor 80GB disc inside. I
think I formated the disc when it was still inside of the computer, but now I
use it as an external disc.
The problems is that the disc obviously has System Restore turned on, but
when I take a look at the System Restore options in Windows XP (SP1) the disc
shows as Offline whereas all other discs are labeled as Monitored. I'd like
to turn off System Restore for this drive, but I don't know how. Is there any
other way than putting the disc back into computer to turn off Sys. restore?
And..if I'd be able to turn off System restore on that disc will it be
without sys.restore on all computers with Win XP or will I have to configure
System restore on every single computer I plug my disc in?
Thanks!

 

[Glen]

Are you saying the drive is offline in computer management. System restore
would show is as either "turned off" or "monitoring". If system restore
won't let you turn it off via the system restore tab in system properties
take ownership of the system volume information folder. You will need to
turn on hidden folders and files and uncheck hide protected system files.
The method for taking ownership is different for XP Hme and XP Pro but
here's the address. I think for XP Home you need to reboot into safe mode
and do the work there. After taking ownership you can delete the folder.
Then go back into system properties, system restore tab and try and disable
system restore. Repost if the above doesn't help.

Take Ownership of files and folders
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

I just checked an external usb drive I have which has a system volume info
folder. The drive doesnt show up in system properties, system restore tab.
But I can take ownership and delete the folder.

Glen P

 

[Bert Kinney]

I have a USB external 3.5" disc case with an IDE Maxtor 80GB disc
inside. I think I formated the disc when it was still inside of the
computer, but now I use it as an external disc.

The problems is that the disc obviously has System Restore turned on,
but when I take a look at the System Restore options in Windows XP
(SP1) the disc shows as Offline whereas all other discs are labeled
as Monitored.

What makes you think SR is monitoring the external drive, if it is not
showing up in the SR settings?
If the drive was formated before removing it from the system, then all
you should see now is an empty System Volume Information folder in the
drive as far as SR goes.

With the external drive disconnected, do the drive letters appear to be
correct in the SR settings? When a drive is removed from a system, it
can sometimes mess up the drive list in System Restore.

I'd like to turn off System Restore for this drive, but
I don't know how. Is there any other way than putting the disc back
into computer to turn off Sys. restore? And..if I'd be able to turn
off System restore on that disc will it be without sys.restore on all
computers with Win XP or will I have to configure System restore on
every single computer I plug my disc in?

Even if the folder where System Restore holds it's restore points and
information is deleted, it will be automatically created.

Now the question arises, should I let System Restore monitor my external
hard drive?

It is a bad practice to let System Restore monitor an external hard
drive. By design most external drive are monitored by System Restore. If
any changes are made to the external drive while it is not connected to
the system, the next time it's connected System Restore will find an
inconsistency in the SR log and cause all existing restore points to
become corrupt and require there deletion. The same can be true if the
external drive is powered off while the system is running.

A possible work around is to assign a permanent drive letter to the
external drive via Disk Management. To access Disk Management, go to
Start - Run and type diskmgmt.msc then press enter.

Right-click a partition, logical drive, or volume, and then click Change
Drive Letter and Paths.

Do one of the following:

1. To assign a drive letter, click Add, click the drive letter you want
to use, and then click OK.

2. To modify a drive letter, click it, click Change, click the drive
letter you want to use, and then click OK.

Reboot the system. Open System Restore and stop monitoring that drive.
This should keep System Restore from monitoring that drive, but not
always.