Does system restore really work?

[r3nr3w]

Why can't I use system restore to restore back to certain restore points? I
was only successful twice with it. When my laptap was new and when I used it
after re-formatting my hard drive. On all occassions after those two
instances I can never restore back to any restore point. It always says that
"unspecified error" line. If Microsoft doesn't know what happend, how could
I. Why did they bother putting system restore if it doesn't work all the
time anyway. It gives you a false sense of security.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Why can't I use system restore to restore back to certain restore points?
I
was only successful twice with it. When my laptap was new and when I used
it
after re-formatting my hard drive. On all occassions after those two
instances I can never restore back to any restore point. It always says
that
"unspecified error" line. If Microsoft doesn't know what happend, how
could
I. Why did they bother putting system restore if it doesn't work all the
time anyway. It gives you a false sense of security.

A virus or spyware can corrupt system restore points. Is your computer
'clean'?


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Ramone]

Maybe this can help you find out why it's not working.

http://bertk.mvps.org/html/vista.html

Ramone

 

[Gordon]

Why can't I use system restore to restore back to certain restore points?
I
was only successful twice with it. When my laptap was new and when I used
it
after re-formatting my hard drive. On all occassions after those two
instances I can never restore back to any restore point. It always says
that
"unspecified error" line. If Microsoft doesn't know what happend, how
could
I. Why did they bother putting system restore if it doesn't work all the
time anyway. It gives you a false sense of security.

If you formatted the HDD then you did NOT use "system restore" - how could
you?

 

[r3nr3w]

I believe so. But I can never be a 100% sure. Does that mean I'll have to
re-format again just to get it started?

 

[Adam Albright]

I believe so. But I can never be a 100% sure. Does that mean I'll have to
re-format again just to get it started?

You can never be 100% sure of anything expect for death, taxes and
Microsoft releasing the latest version of Windows with known bugs.
Some things never change. If these "bugs" jump up and bite you depends
on HOW you use your computer.

Reformatting in of itself guarantees nothing. It is the ultimate
Restore Point forcing you to go back to square one. Generally unless
you are using some backup "image" to restore from, if you reformat,
then reinstall Windows, any updates and patches you've made are lost
not only to Windows, but also any adjustments you've made to your
installed software as well. You'll have to put them all back again,
which surprise, can introduce some of the very problems you were
hoping to avoid all over again and if you have many applications it
can be a very time consuming and frustrating experience.

Best advice: If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

Most installs of Vista, like every version of Windows before it have
some idiosyncrasy (quirks) that manifest themselves in unique ways. As
the ultimate user of your computer you have to decide if putting up
with these annoyances are worth tinkering with or better left alone.

Getting Windows to run smoothly is more art than science. You can get
lucky with every application running perfectly right off the bat, but
that is the exception, not the rule. The harder you push your computer
and the more exotic and complex software you install the more likely
you'll see Vista do something stupid.