System Restore Doesn't Work?

[JimC]

I have been trying to use System Restore to restore my computer to its
status as of several days ago, with no success. Everything seems to work
when entering the preferred date (three days ago). - Then, the system
goes through the usual process, then shuts the computer down, etc. But
when the PC is started again, I get a message to the effect that MS was
unable to restore the computer to the selected date. (The date was
within the permissible range on the calendar provided in SR, and I tried
a second date, with the same results.) No explanation is given as to
why it can't restore the system. - Can anyone provide any explanation or
suggestions?

The reason I wanted to restore the system was that I recently downloaded
and installed a new version of my web surfer, didn't like it, and wanted
to go back to the previous version. - Would System Restore work for that
purpose, if it was working in the first place?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[R. McCarty]

One of System Restore's faults is it's lack of integrity checking,
such as an imaging program provides. The Restore points are
interdependent. For example if it's Wednesday and you want
to return to Monday's state, System Restore must have a valid
point for Tuesday. When System Restore fails, it's usually due
to invalid or broken Restore points. The only thing to do is to
purge all points and restart System Restore. This is done by
turning off System Restore, Reboot and then re-enable it from
System Properties, System Restore (TAB) - Turn off System
Restore on all Drives".

System Restore works best with just a day or two of the current
system state. Depending on it for restore beyond a week or ten
days is questionable.

 

[Ron Martell]

I have been trying to use System Restore to restore my computer to its
status as of several days ago, with no success. Everything seems to work
when entering the preferred date (three days ago). - Then, the system
goes through the usual process, then shuts the computer down, etc. But
when the PC is started again, I get a message to the effect that MS was
unable to restore the computer to the selected date. (The date was
within the permissible range on the calendar provided in SR, and I tried
a second date, with the same results.) No explanation is given as to
why it can't restore the system. - Can anyone provide any explanation or
suggestions?

The reason I wanted to restore the system was that I recently downloaded
and installed a new version of my web surfer, didn't like it, and wanted
to go back to the previous version. - Would System Restore work for that
purpose, if it was working in the first place?

Thanks,
Jim

See MVP Bert Kinney's System Restore pages:
http://bertk.mvps.org/index.html


Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Bert Kinney]

First try performing a restore in Safe Mode.

Starting Windows XP in Safe Mode:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/safemode.html

Regards,
Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
http://bertk.mvps.org
Member: http://dts-l.org