System Restore cannot restore to an earlier point error message

[Guest]

When attempting to use system restore, I receive the message that System
Restore was unable to restore to an earlier restore point. This will happen
on any restore points I try whether a system checkpoint, or on a checkpoint
generated by installation of new software/updates.

I have troubleshooted this using Bert Kinney's MVP Microsoft site here:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

Only one drive is being monitored, system restore is turned on, have SR set
to use 6% disk space, no viruses, ran Ad-Aware, Spysweeper-just tracking
cookies. System Restore and Task Scheduler are turned on.

Looking at the event log, only errors found state SR was Unable to restore
to an earlier point, which isn't any help. No other errors listed in the
event log under "sr" or "srservices"

I have tested SR following advice on above site- Create a restore point
named Test, place a Test folder on desktop, then restoring to test point and
when doing it like that it DOES work. Have performed this test 2x so I know
that SR is functioning.

The only thing I have not done (shame on me) is installed SP2 yet. With SR
not functioning properly, I am nervous about installing it right now . I also
have not purged System Restore points, again a bit nervous about getting rid
of all restore points, even if they don't seem to be working.

 

[Glen]

SR sometimes can't restore. If that happens you need to turn it off then
turn it back on this will purge all restore points and create a new one.
Some people will tell you its ok to get rid of all but the last restore
point but I think its best to turn it off, purging all points, then turning
it back on. That way you can be sure that you don't have a corrupt point.
You have already tested SR by creating a point so you know SR is working.

You really should upgrade to SP2 as there are a number of important security
updates installed.

 

[Sunny]

SR sometimes can't restore. If that happens you need to turn it off then
turn it back on this will purge all restore points and create a new one.

If that is true then SR should be turned off permanently and an
alternative recovery mechanism employed.

System recovery software that works 'sometimes' is of no value.

Sunny

 

[lomaca]

If that is true then SR should be turned off permanently and an
alternative recovery mechanism employed.

System recovery software that works 'sometimes' is of no value.

Agree with that. Use a disk imaging or similar software on a backup
hard disk.
If any problems, just restore from there.
System restore is not really a replacement for backup.

 

[Guest]

I guess I will go ahead and purge all points. Sounds as if SR isn't all it's
cracked up to be then? How about Norton Ghost?

 

[Edward W. Thompson]

I guess I will go ahead and purge all points. Sounds as if SR isn't all
it's
cracked up to be then? How about Norton Ghost?

As far as I am concerned System Restore is useless as it is inherently
unreliable. As an alternative you can use ERUNT to backup your registry.
It may not be quite so comprehensive as SR but it will backup the Registry
and that is where the majority of problems lie. Norton Ghost or other
imaging programs are excellent but rather like a sledge hammer to crack a
nut when you need only to restore the Registry. However, everyone should
invest in an imaging program, in my opinion, to provide a means to recover
the total system in the event of a catastrophe.

 

[Bob I]

Just as with ANY recovery method, you can't recover from a corrupted
file. End of story.