System Restore

[JamesJ]

I had a problem with my system a week ago and tried to restore
it back a couple of days using System Restore. Well, it restored
but didn't correct the problem. In fact, it created more problems
because I had installed some Office software and then I had to
reinstall three programs again 'cause I was not able to choose
the restore point. I didn't know what software caused the initial problem.
I know, I should've created restore point(s) prior to installing each
program. I didn't because System Restore creates restore point prior
to a new installation. (at least I think it does). Anyway, enough of
my dislike for System Restore.
I need to ask about three questions.
1) Is there a right and wrong way to use system restore?
2) Can I or Should I disable System Restore? And what ever
happened to the _Restore folder??
3) Is there any backup software that simply backs up system files
that someone can recommend??

Any help will be appreciated,
James

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

What was the original problem? Perhaps SR wasn't the way to correct it.
System Restore shouldn't be disabled as it can save your system and restore
it to a working system.

 

[ByTor]

I had a problem with my system a week ago and tried to restore
it back a couple of days using System Restore. Well, it restored
but didn't correct the problem. In fact, it created more problems
because I had installed some Office software and then I had to
reinstall three programs again 'cause I was not able to choose
the restore point. I didn't know what software caused the initial problem.
I know, I should've created restore point(s) prior to installing each
program. I didn't because System Restore creates restore point prior
to a new installation. (at least I think it does). Anyway, enough of
my dislike for System Restore.
I need to ask about three questions.
1) Is there a right and wrong way to use system restore?

The right way is not to use it at all........
Some will say it works for them and that's okay, it's just my opinion. I
am using the same partition for 3.5 yrs now without a clean re-install,
Images have saved my butt quite a few times.

2) Can I or Should I disable System Restore? And what ever
happened to the _Restore folder??

Restore folder is usually hidden, go to your folder options and check
"show hidden files & folders"..... Look for a VERY large useless folder.
I disable restore on ALL my systems, never trusted it because of exactly
what you are describing.

3) Is there any backup software that simply backs up system files
that someone can recommend??

Even better, if you have a burner or Xtra seperate HD space use
"PowerQuest Drive Image" uhhhh, xcuse me, "Norton" drive image, & make
images of your "whole" OS........MUCH better than any of that "restore"
"go back" crap! I'm not sure of any software that just backs up system
files only.

 

[JamesJ]

This isn't the first time I couldn't restore my system. Initially,
I was using a themes manager, 'cause I liked all the bells and
whistles and I was unable to save themes in the Display Properties. I
wouldn't
get any error messages but when I went to ...My Documents
(which from my understanding is were, by default, one's theme is
saved when one clicks the Save As button) there was no theme in that folder.
Doing a search of my entire hard drive I found the theme in My Recent
Documents,
a folder I don't have anymore after I formatted my hard drive and
reinstalled
a fresh copy of XP. I formatted after uninstalling the themes manager
and found the problem still existed. I posted the question concerning the
inability to save themes and was told to try restoring to a restore point
using
System Restore.
It really wasn't a big deal I usually format once a year.
I don't recall what the problem was this time when I was reinstalling all my
software.
This last time I didn't format. Everything seems to be fine now except for a
couple of issues like: I used to have a folder called _RESTORE now I don't.
I used have
a folder called ...My Recent Documents now I don't. I'm a bit hesitant to
use a
themes manager which I have already purchased a registration for.

James

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

The _Restore folder is a sub folder in System Volume Information, which
holds all the SR files. It is a hidden folder so you will have to show it
via Windows Explorer:

Tools>Folder Options>View - then enable 'Show hidden files and folders'.

If that option is already enabled, have you disabled System Restore?

 

[JamesJ]

Access is denied to System Volume Information. I didn't
disable SR although I believe I did cut it back to 5%. Disk
space is no issue.

James

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Try going back into Windows Explorer, this time disable 'Hide protected
operating system files (Recommended)'. 5% is OK depending on the size of
your hard disk/partition. The default is 12%, which is way too much disk
space to make available to System Restore.

 

[Guest]

System Restore is a lousy utility that fails more often than it works.
Don't depend on it.
If you are using FAT32, ConfigSafe from ImagineLan is quite good, but
it won't work with NTFS.
I use Norton Ghost to make frequent (daily or no more than weekly) clones
that are fully bootable. This has NEVER failed to 100% restore. This disk
is the same original installation of Win XP that I started with when XP first
came out, and everything is still working beautifully with over 100gb of data
and programs installed.

 

[larryonline]

I know, I should've created restore point(s) prior to installing each

program. I didn't because System Restore creates restore point prior
to a new installation. (at least I think it does). Anyway, enough of
my dislike for System Restore.

System Restore has saved me more than just a couple times. I must have used
it a dozen times with WinME and just used it for the first time with XP. I
got a nasty bug that took me two days to get rid of. When it was finally
gone, I couldn't access the internet. I think I deleted some necessary files
while trying to delete the trojan. The first system restore point I chose
didn't help, but the second try fixed the problem completely. I'd think the
more space you give to system restore the more restore points will be
available. I had six to chose from. I've reinstalled the operating system a
dozen times too in the past (with WinME and Win 95 both). That's anything
but fun.

Larry Davis

 

[Edward W. Thompson]

If you have had a need to reinstall the Registry and windows the number of
times you say, I venture to suggest you are the last person to give advice
on how to manage a system!