System Restore Problem

[Greendog]

I went to play a NPR audio file and Real Player needed to update (big
surprise!) and in the process of attempting to do so it noted that my
System Restore feature was not working and 'strongly recommended that I
not continue updating, so I didn't.

But I did begin investigating what was going on with my System Restore
feature.

1) When I attempt to run the program I could see the System Restore
Welcome Screen with this message popped up over it: "System Restore is
not able to protect your computer. Please restart your computer, and
then run System Restore again." Restarting the PC didn't help.

2) The 'System Restore' tab is missing from the 'System Properties'
window. I ran sfc /scannow, which took about an hour to complete, but
that still made no difference.

3) What checking I've done online has revealed that System Restore can
be a temperamental little illegitimate child but none of the symptoms
listed in the examples I've seen match MY particular symptoms, but I
did find THIS group and thought it would be worth a shot to see if
anyone in here might have a solution (or even just an idea!) to help me
with my dilemma here.

Thanks, Greendog

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi,

Error: Can't Access System Restore - Disabled by Group Policy - or
System Restore tab missing.
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/body_error.html#ErrorDisabledByPolicy

There is a good possibility this was caused by malware/virus infection.
Virus and Spyware removal and prevention steps:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/spyware.html

Go to Start - Run and type regedit then press enter.

Navigate to the following registry Key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\SystemRestore

In the right pane, right click on each of these Value Keys and select
delete.

"DisableSR"

"DisableConfig"

Close Regedit. Right click on My Computer and select the System Restore
tab. A reboot may be necessary.

If the above doesn't fix the issue, there's a registry edit at Kelly's
Korner.
Look on line 278 left side.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

These steps, and registry fix are also known to repair the inability to
enable System Restore after it has been turned off.

 

[Greendog]

I guess I ought to note that I am running Windows XP Home Edition.

 

[Bert Kinney]

Did you see my reply above?

 

[Guest]

Hi,
Senior and novice. I have a problem that could be resolved if I can get
system restore to work. To my knowledge it never worked. Clicked numerous
times on bold dates and created dates. PC logs off and on as if it is
working, but message is "cannot be restored to (date selected)
I have checked to see if system restore is on, and it is. I have Norton
professional virus, zone alarm and a router. I do an update everytime I am on
PC and complete scan weekly, so I think it would be unlikely a virus. I hope
it can be corrected without need of going to Registry.
Would be grateful for your help.
hal

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi Hal,

The majority of the time this is caused by a corrupt restore point.
Turning System Restore off then on again will purges all existing
restore points, and creates one new one.

Try running System Restore from Safe Mode.
Restart your computer, and then press F8 during the initial startup to
start your computer in Safe Mode.

Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account
that has administrator credentials.
In Safe Mode type or paste the following command in the Start - Run box
then press Enter.

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

There are also other possibilities that can cause this to happen. The
following pages have some troubleshooting steps to take.

Troubleshooting steps to take when System Restore fails to restore:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

How to Disable and Enable System Restore
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/disablesr.html

Here are some tips on keeping System Restore Healthy and hopefully
keep the restore points from becoming corrupted in the future.
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/healthy.htm

 

[Guest]

Hi Bert and thanks for your reply
I have a big problem that I think can only be reresolved by returning to a
point before the problem. If I purge, all the necessary pointsi wll also be
purged.
Maybe you can help with my problem or point me in the right direction. My
taskbar is all fouled up. First instead of the one row at bottom of screen it
became 3 and then 4. Then all the rows moved to the left side of my screen,
even more out of order. Size of rows are different as well as size of icons,
and also out of order.
This is the reason I thought system restore would help. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
hal

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi Hal,

No, it is not necessary to restore the system to repair the Taskbar.

You should be able to find a solution here.

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[Bert Kinney]

PS, then we will address the System Restore problem.

 

[Guest]

Hi Bert,
I followed your suggestion and went to "Repair Taskbar" I requested that it
b e restored to default. They told me to download something which I did and
noticed that it had gone into my registry.
Is this anything to be concerned about? Their reply: Requires $5.00 license,
which I immedately agreed to. Per their request I opened a PayPal account so
they could get paid. I have tried everything possible to get the $ to them. I
think it was a Rocket download that would not download. There was a message,
if I encounter a broken download to click on a link that took me to Office
word. I have not been able to find anything in Office that will permit me to
send. I tried to contact them by Yahoo and that failed.
Can you please advise me how to pay them their fee? Also, is there anything
I shoud or could do pertainuing to what went into my registry from them?
I'm sorry for such a long reply and tried to shorten as much as I could.
I hesitate to bring this up now, but cursor will not show taskbar
Grateful for your help.
hal

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi,

Try contacting Kelly from this link.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/mailto_xp.htm

 

[Guest]

Hi Bert
I have made some progress. The taskbar is now where it belongs at bottom of
screen. But the taskbar still takes up at least three rows. Previously, All
the icons were formerly across the bottom row and very easy to see. The three
rows that now appear have to be opened by > and icons are very small.
Thank you very much for your help and guidance. Followed your suggestion and
emailed from the site you provided. However, I think they had a message that
it is to be used for feedback only.
I had requested default setting and wonder if this correct?
They have entered something into my registry witout an approval from me.
Should I be concerned?
Bert, Once again thank you,
hal

 

[Guest]

Hi Bert,
Found this site after sending you posts from other sites. I am at a
standstill that I hope you can get me out of. There does not seem to be any
way to send them the $5.00 license fee.
Right now I am very concerned with whatever they downloaded into my registry
without my permission or approval. I am fearful of what problems they could
cause. If I can't get the money to them then I would like to get whatever
they downloaded out of my registry. Please advise what I should do with my
two problems: taskbar and system restore?
Thank you,
hal