System Restore isn't working

[c_e]

I've been trying to restore my system (XP Home SP1) to an earlier date.
When my PC restarts the System Restore program states to the effect "your
system cannot be restored to the earlier time". I've tried several restore
points and always get the same message.

I've recently made some changes to the registry using tweakXP, but the only
items I removed related to entries left behind by uninstalled programs.
Could the changes I've made have resulted in System Restore no longer
working?

thanks

coma

 

[ZephyrPrincess]

Hi:

It is a good possibility that Yes, your removing left behind uninstalled
programs is causing the problem.

Did you set a restore point on your system before tweaking the registry?
When I create a restore point, I name the point whatever I am getting ready
to do after creating the restore point. [Example: Install Easy CD Creator] I
name the restore point Easy CD Creator; this way if something does go wrong
I go back to this restore point and my system is back to the way it was
before I installed the program.

System Restore takes a snapshot of your system so that you can go back to
a previous date/time if something goes wrong/does not work after making
changes to your system.

Once you get your system working again [you may have to do a Full Restore]
be sure to always back-up your registry first before
deleting/changing/tweaking.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

System Restore may have some corrupted files in it. The following will
delete all existing SR checkpoints and leave you with one new checkpoint:

Right click My Computer, select Properties and then the System Restore tab.
Enable 'Turn off System Restore on all drives' - Apply>OK and then reboot
your system. After that first reboot go back into System Restore, disable
'Turn off System Restore on all drives' - Apply>OK and then reboot again.
After this second reboot a new checkpoint will have been created.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Could the changes I've made have resulted in System Restore no longer
working?

Yes, they could have. Unless there is an undo method, you may be stuck with
the changes. Once System Restore goes bad, the only thing you can do is stop
it and restart it. Start/run services.msc, locate the SR service and
doubleclick it. Click the stop button, then set the startup type dropdown to
disabled. Click apply/ok, then reboot.

Then, check the "System Volume Information folder" on each drive and delete
any contents. Reverse the steps to restart it.

Be forewarned that doing this removes all existing restore points, but it
doesn't really matter as they weren't working anyways.

If this does not help, follow these steps to reinstall System Restore:

Go to the Control Panel/Folder Options/View tab, set it to "Show hidden
files and folders" and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files
[recommended]". Also uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types".

Then, open Windows Explorer from Start/All Programs and go to the
C:\Windows\Inf folder. Locate the sr.inf file, right-click it and choose
install.

You may need to either insert your WinXP CD or know where your I386 folder
is located on the hard drive. You may also need to know where the
\ServicePackFiles folder is (usually under the Windows directory).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone