Windows XP Media center booting problem

[mcp111]

I have a laptop with Windows XP Media Center edition. It boots partially,
some of the

desktop icons appear and then it hangs.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[R. McCarty]

Try to boot using "Safe Mode", (Tap F8 repeatedly at power on ). Once
the computer is fully booted do a System Restore back several days. If
Safe Mode will not fully load you may have to use the Recovery Console.
That however depends on whether you have an XP CD-ROM to work
with.

 

[mcp111]

How can we control when restore points are created by system restore?

 

[R. McCarty]

If no trigger events ( update driver..) occur System Restore will
make a point on a 24-hour cycle. The cycle time is controlled by
a Registry Key value found at:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore
Key name is RPGlobalInterval w/ a default value of 86400 sec
( equals a 24-hour period ). You can modify the value to suit your
own schedule.

 

[mcp111]

I looked at my restore points and I found one for Friday and one for Sunday.
Why did it skip Saturday? The registry key is for a 24 hour period.

 

[mcp111]

When System Restore manages space for restore points does it automatically
delete even manual restore points that I have taken?

 

[R. McCarty]

Based on total allocation and each point's size they work in a
mode called FIFO ( First In, First Out ). In other words when
the allocation is reached a new point requires that the oldest
one be removed. They continue this rolloff as each new point
is made ( regardless if done automatically or manually ).

 

[mcp111]

Thanks.
Why does it sometimes skip a date while creating restore points even though
the interval is 24 hour period?

 

[R. McCarty]

Not sure, I have to admit I do not personally use System Restore.
Instead I depend on Imaging for data & system recovery.