system restore error can't enable disable drive

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

When I launch system restore to create a check point it hangs indefinately.
I stopped system restore on all drives, rebooted, and then attempted to
enable system restore. After a minute or two I receive a popup error message
that reads, "System Restore encountered an error tyring to enable/disable one
or more drives. Please restart your machine and try again."

I did as it said, but of course it didn't correct the problem. Aside from
this problem my computer appears to be functioning normally.

Any suggestions?
 
Hi Russ,

Disable it again, then reboot and delete all "System Volume Information"
folders on all drives. These are hidden system folders, so you need to have
folder options set correctly. There will be one on each drive. Then restart
the System Restore function, new folders will be created.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Rick,

I followed your instructions, although it took a while to figure out how to
actually delete this folder (I kept getting access denied message.) In safe
mode, after I had added myself in the properties/security tab I was able to
delete this file. However, as soon as I logged in normally the file
reappeared (should it do this or should it not appear until Restore is turned
on again?) and when I turned restore on I received exactly the same error and
message.

Is there something else you can suggest?
Thanks,
Russ
 
Hi,

If it returned, then System Restore was not off on all drives. Start/run
services.msc and locate the SR service, double click it. Stop it, and set
the startup type to disabled. Then reboot and remove the SVI folders.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Hello,

I did as you suggested, but I am still having the same problem.
Specifically, I turned off system restore (this computer is my laptop and it
has only one drive) then I opened services.msc and stopped the SR service
then changes the startup type to "disabled. After this I rebooted into safe
mode, gave myself priveledges to delete the SVI file, and then deleted it.
Then I rebooted normally, but the SVI file returned.

I verified that the service was still stopped and set to "disable" and also
that SR was "turned off on all drives". Everything checked out.

What else could cause this file to appear?
Thanks, in advance, for you help.

Russ
 
Hi,

Is the newly created one empty, and does the problem reoccur when you
restart the SR service? If it still occurs, then you have a software
conflict.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Hello,

The new SVI file appears empty. When I attempt to restart the SR Service I
get a popup message that reads, " The System Restore service on Local
Computer started then stopped. Some service stop automatically if they have
no work to do."

If it is a sofware conflict as you suggest, is there a likely culprit? At
this point should I reload Windows?
Thanks,
Russ
 
Hi Russ,

So, after restarting the service (ignore that message), are you able to
manually create a restore point?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Hello,

No, I get the same message, "System Restore encountered an error tyring to
enable/disable one or more drives. Please restart your machine and try
again." and no restore point is created. The only other thing worth
mentioning is my computer seems sluggish when performing certain functions.
For example, when I try open System from the Control Panel it may take a
minute or more for it to open or when I boot my wireless networking may not
start up for several minutes.

I thought I may have aquired a virus or other related problem but I have a
firewall, antivirus, anti-adware, and anti-spyware I use and keep updated. I
have scanned with all of them and none detected any problems.
 
Hi Russ,

Yes, a virus or a spyware program would be my next assumption as well. Are
you running those programs in Safe mode?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Hi Rick,

I hadn't run them in safe mode, but I have now, and they didn't find
anything. I was able to log in with my regular user ID and verify that the
SVI folder was NOT present. However, when I tried to to access System from
the Control Panel the SVI folder reappeared and the System box never
appeared. I rebooted and still could not access System from the Control
Panel and I could not start System Restore.

I tried to remeber if anything unusual was going on when I first noticed
this problem but I have only been using my laptop for word process and
Internet surfing lately. I first noticed this error when I went to install
Windows updates (Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer for Windows
XP Service Pack 2 (KB834707) and Critical Update for Office XP on Windows XP
Service Pack 2 (KB885884)) which I had downloaded. If I am not mistaken one
of the first steps in the installation of updates is to create a restore
point. They just hung up and would not install so I logically concluded the
problem already existed prior to this.

Any suggestions?
I really don't want to go through the VERY painful reinstallation process.

Thanks,
Russ
 
Hello Rick,

Is there a better option than reloading Windows at this point? Is there a
way to repair just the System Restore function without having to completely
reload?

Thanks,
Russ
 
Back
Top