System Restore possible conflicts

[Memyself]

hello again folks,

Can anyone tell me if it's even possible that System Restore can
have conflicts with McAfee or with a Windows Update? It seems so many
problems happen right after McAfee does something ("System Guard allowed a
change to your Computer) or just after a Windows Update, that I can't help
but wonder.

Hope this isn't a stupid question, but: Is System Restore not working
because the Disk Drive is not found, or is the HDD not found because SR's not
working?

 

[Randem]

I have hear of McAfee and Norton taking over computers and I consider those
applications malware and I will uninstall them. They do basically the same
thing that malware does, constantly harrass you into buying their products
and thinking that they own your computer. But I digress...

--
Randem Systems
Your Installation Specialist
The Top Inno Setup Script Generator
http://www.randem.com/innoscript.html
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http://www.randem.com/vistainstalls.html
http://www.financialtrainingservices.org

 

[inavlis]

Hi,

yes it is possible, since they have the abililty to disable your system
restore.

 

[Memyself]

thanks for the info. I called McAfee and one of their engineers kept telling
me that there's no way it can disable System restore, but as the whole began
right after it "allowed a change to your computer" I have to assume they did
it. So, how does one protect their system from viruses, spyware, etc. without
becoming a hostage to McAfee, Norton, etc?

 

[Memyself]

Yes, but how then do you protect against the malware and all that. Could one
of the lesser known anti-virus softwares be a better option over Norton, and
pals?

 

[Unknown]

Very simply, use common sense. I.E. Do not click on anything you don't
expect or know.
If you receive something via e-mail from an unknown source ignore it. NEVER
download anything
unless you are sure what you're getting. I.E. Microsoft updates OK. Other
downloads -----
think. Your system will run great without Norton, McAfee, and other trash.

 

[smlunatick]

thanks for the info. I called McAfee and one of their engineers kept telling
me that there's no way it can disable System restore, but as the whole began
right after it "allowed a change to your computer" I have to assume they did
it. So, how does one protect their system from viruses, spyware, etc. without
becoming a hostage to McAfee, Norton, etc?

Not sure about McAfee but Norton is known to block System Restore.
Norton Anti-virus module (in most NIS, NAV, NSW and 360) have a
feature that protects the Norton software. As per their own kb, this
seems to also block System Restore as this can change the Norton
"modules."

Also, if you install the GoBack software (part some Norton tools,)
this appears to cause problem.

 

[Memyself]

I've always used common sense in what I click on and/or download. I never, I
mean never download anything I don't know the source of. I even buy the
CD-ROMs for games rather than download them from the site as I've heard that
some virus creators can "piggyback" their viruses onto games. (and I think it
may true as my virus protection programs use to go on alert whenever I was on
some game sites.

 

[Memyself]

GoBack was on my old computer but not on this one. I never had a problem with
it , but I know lots of other people who did so I've been reluctant to try on
my Dell. Does anyone know about Recovery systems such as Acronis True Image
(at least, I think it also recovers files as well as back them up)? I know
it's highly recommended by some folks who seem a lot more about these things
than I do.
There's also one called Z.A.R. that a lot of people really like. Kim on
TheTechSpot.com really likes it.
If it's better than SystemRestore, I'm going to buy it as soon as I can.
But, I'm still concerned about not using an anti virus program.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Acronis True Image can make a complete and perfect backup image of your
system, which you can restore later if the need arises. Making an image
or clone backup is WAY superior to using something like GoBack (or even
System Restore, for that matter), should you really need a perfect backup of
your system to be restored. You can read about it at the Acronis web site.

 

[Memyself]

Thanks. I wonder if I might trouble you about another problem? If you my
posts under "files suddenly gone" you may know that I was advised to create a
new user profile and then copy the old data to that profile. It partially
worked. But, now my pictures turn up in WindowsMediaPlayer and I can't them
back to My Pictures; can't get the ones I used as wallpaper back to that
function. Plus, it took photos from text documents and imported them to WMP
as well.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Unknown]

If that is the case, you don't need any of the trash. I use no virus
programs, spyware or anything else and have never had a virus, malware or
any other problem. I back up my system about once a week and never had to
use it. It gives me peace of mind.

 

[Memyself]

I think I see what my mistake has been and I owe it to you! You say you back
up your system about once a week. I'm beginning to think that's a big part of
my problem. I had never backed up the system accept for putting some text
documents on floppies. I'd been researching zip drives and such, but all the
confusing info left me not knowing which way to go. But after this latest
headache, I'm definitely going to get into the back-up habit. Do you use one
of those back up softwares like Acronis? I just got a CD\DVD burner, so I
have to figure out how to use it to back up data files.

I take it you don't use Spybot either? Some folks tell me it's the only such
program to use and to ditch the rest. Thanks again.

 

[Unknown]

I do not use a CD/DVD for backup. I use an external harddrive.
I purchased a Seagate external drive. I opted for Seagate because that is
the
manufacturer of my internal drive. (Which has been flawless).
I also have a great deal of respect for the quality demanded by my computer
manufacturer.
They wouldn't use Seagate if any quality problem existed.
I then made a list of questions to ask if I had to do any kind of recovery.
Examples:
How do I recover just one bad file?
How do I recover the entire OS?
What if I can't boot from my internal drive?
Can I boot from the external drive?
What can I do if my internal drive is completely inoperative?
Can I copy my external drive to a new internal drive?

When I purchased my external drive I received a backup program free called
BounceBack.
However, it was a basic program and would not fulfill all the above
questions.
So, I purchased the 'Professional' version.
You can research and get all your questions answered from www.cmsproduct.com

 

[Memyself]

Thanks. I have heard others speak highly of Seagate, so I'll definitely look
into it. I think they made the drive that's on my Dell Optiplex. I've been
going nuts because of these problems, but things are starting to look up.
Thanks again.

 

[Unknown]

Lots of luck. With proper backup you'll have peace of mind and keep your
system clean of
many unnecessary problem causing 3rd party programs.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I think I see what my mistake has been and I owe it to you! You say you back
up your system about once a week. I'm beginning to think that's a big part of
my problem. I had never backed up the system accept for putting some text
documents on floppies.

What you back up and how often you do a backup is entirely up to you.
We don't all have the same needs.

I don't know what your needs are, but if all do is put *some* text
documents on floppies, the chances are that you are playing with fire,
and you are running the severe risk of losing lots of stuff important
to you.

You might want to read this article I recently wrote: "Back Up Your
Computer Regularly and Reliably" at
http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=314

I'd been researching zip drives and such, but all the
confusing info left me not knowing which way to go. But after this latest
headache, I'm definitely going to get into the back-up habit. Do you use one
of those back up softwares like Acronis?

Acronis is the name of a software company, not a program, but Acronis
True Image is their backup program, and probably the best backup
program available.

I just got a CD\DVD burner, so I
have to figure out how to use it to back up data files.

If all you do is backup data files, and the amount of data is small
enough, backing up to CDs or DVDs could be a good choice. But for many
people backing up to an external drive and creating a clone or image
of the entire drive on it is a better choice.

I take it you don't use Spybot either? Some folks tell me it's the only such
program to use and to ditch the rest. Thanks again.

Sorry, but those folks are giving you poor advice. It not only doesn't
protect you against all dangers, but it's not eve the best at
protecting you against what it protects against. These days, Malware
Bytes is the single best protection against spyware, but a single
program isn't enough; none of these programs is anywhere near perfect.

You need several programs to protect you against the various types of
malware. They come in essentially three types, and you should have all
three:

1. A firewall. If you are running the Windows firewall, that's OK, but
there are also other choices.

2. An anti-virus program. The two worst ones are unfortunately the
most popular: Norton and McAfee. The best one available is NOD32, but
it's not free. If you want to save the money, I recommend Avast, which
is free, not quite as good as NOD32, but still very good.

3. At least two anti-spyware programs. The problem is that no single
such product is good enough to protect you fully, and you should run
two or more of these. I recommend that you choose at least two from
the following list (they are all available in free versions):

MalwareBytes
SuperAntiSpyware
Spybot Search & Destroy
Spyware Blaster
Adaware
Windows Defender

Unknown, to whom you replied, will tell you that he uses no software
to protect against viruses or spyware. That's his choice, but I
completely disagree with him. He's playing with fire.

 

[Unknown]

Unknown, to whom you replied, will tell you that he uses no software
to protect against viruses or spyware. That's his choice, but I
completely disagree with him. He's playing with fire.

I may be playing with fire BUT,
1. I back up once a week.
2. I have NEVER had a virus or other malware. (About 20 years)
3. I don't have problems caused by those spyware or virus protectors.
4. System runs fast and error free.

HOW CAN YOU SAY I'M PLAYING WITH FIRE?

 

[Richie Hardwick]

I may be playing with fire BUT,
1. I back up once a week.
2. I have NEVER had a virus or other malware. (About 20 years)
3. I don't have problems caused by those spyware or virus protectors.
4. System runs fast and error free.

HOW CAN YOU SAY I'M PLAYING WITH FIRE?

I don't think he can - at least not with any credibility. I'm even
better covered than you are:

1 - I backup daily: once using Acronis True Image to an image file,
and once using Casper to clone my system drive to a second internal
drive (incremental, from within Windows).

2 - same here, but it's only been about 18 years - about half of that
without having any antivirus software installed.

3 - ditto

4 - ditto

BUT... I still run Avira A/V software and Defender. Probably don't
need either, but I am running them.

Richie Hardwick

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I may be playing with fire BUT,
1. I back up once a week.
2. I have NEVER had a virus or other malware. (About 20 years)
3. I don't have problems caused by those spyware or virus protectors.
4. System runs fast and error free.

HOW CAN YOU SAY I'M PLAYING WITH FIRE?

I've told you the answer to that before. I won't repeat it again. As
far as I'm concerned you are running risks, the risks are needless,
and that's playing with fire.

I'll just repeat one of the things I've said to you before. Just
because someone plays with fire is not a guarantee that he will get
burnt. You say "I have NEVER had a virus or other malware. (About 20
years)," and that's exactly like someone saying to me, "I've driven a
car for 20 years and never used a seatbelt."