Restore points

[Howard Kaikow]

Why do folkes use restore points?

Why not just use an image backup program, full, differential, or
incremental?

Would seem that a backup is a better way to go as it gives you absolute
control over the "backup points".

 

[Bill in Co.]

It's fast and easy (when it works). A LOT faster and easier than, say,
restoring an image backup. And ditto on using ERUNT.

But again, like for everything, one must know its limitations, and exercise
due prudence.

Bottom line: use the appropriate tool (one doesn't need a jack hammer to
pound a nail into a board).

 

[Ron Badour]

Restore is native and doesn't cost anything???

 

[Howard Kaikow]

It's fast and easy (when it works). A LOT faster and easier than, say,
restoring an image backup. And ditto on using ERUNT.

You say "when it works". I would not rely on an OS to back itself up.

One can control, more precisely, an image backup/restore.
And one can verify things using, e.g.:
http://www.standards.com/index.html?ReadFile
http://www.standards.com./index.html?GetFileTypeDistribution
http://www.standards.com./index.html?CompareDrives

Reliability/control is far more important than the time taken

 

[Bill in Co.]

Howard, like you, I *do* rely on image backups of my system hard drive. In
fact, I've been doing it on a daily or biweekly basis.

But there are times when it is MUCH more convenient to do the System Restore
(or ERUNT) routines. You just have to have some idea of when it's prudent
to do so:

For example, just before installing a small program, or making some changes
to my configuration, which I may want to test out, I will make a new restore
point, and if it doesn't work out as I like, simply restore the restore
point (or more often, just restore the ERUNT backup, which is even simpler
and quicker).

If, OTOH, I'm installing a large program, I will just before installing it
create an image backup of my system drive, and only then install the new
program, and see how it works out. If I don't like it, I restore the
image.

An example for this would be for something like installing MS Office, or
even MS Word, for that matter. A System Restore point wouldn't
(typically) be good enough, in such a case (IMO).

 

[M8RIX]

To add to what others have said.....
Sometimes a restore point will be the most recent data to utilize for a
backup. Unless of course, you back up religiously every day.

 

[Gerry]

System settings and files not data files!

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


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Howard Kaikow]

Strange behavior in both cases... and definitely an unnecessary waste
of time in the second case.

Sane people use either the uninstall utility that most software has,
or Add or Remove Programs to remove an installation.

Add/Remove programs , or uninstall, are the worst methods..
Ever try installing, then removing/uninstalling, say, Symantec software.
So much crap gets left behind.

The only SAFE method is via image backup/restore.
Time is not relevant, saety is paramount (not the movie studio).

 

[Howard Kaikow]

System settings and files not data files!

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

I'm talking about IMAGE backups, be they full, differential, or incremental.

I no longer can think of any use for file-based backups.

 

[Alan]

So, if YOU don't want to use System Restore, then don't.

It's pretty simple.

Alan

 

[Bill in Co.]

Strange behavior in both cases... and definitely an unnecessary waste
of time in the second case.

Sane people use either the uninstall utility that most software has,
or Add or Remove Programs to remove an installation.

Another whoooosh moment? (That's ok, I understand).

 

[Bill in Co.]

Symantec software is HARDLY a typical case, and you should know that.

Restoring from backup is an absolutely ridiculous way to uninstall a
program.

And nobody said that, per se. I know, it's an advanced concept to get
what I was really talking about.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Add/Remove programs , or uninstall, are the worst methods..

Not exactly. It really depends. For the simple stuff, that is often
sufficient.
Again, it's a question of just using the right tool for the right job.
But for the biggies like you've mentioned (Norton stuff), I'd sure agree.

 

[Howard Kaikow]

I can. They're called "data" backups.

Data backups are better done with an image backup program

 

[Frank-FL]

Symantec software is HARDLY a typical case, and you should know that.

Restoring from backup is an absolutely ridiculous way to uninstall a
program.

And using ERUNT to restore a registry won't always do what is needed,
other than to remove entries the new program might've place in the
registry.

You are way off base with your ideas.

 

[Bill in Co.]

You are way off base with your ideas.

It only comes with experience.