WinXP Pro Create Restore Point

[Guest]

Hello,

My system restore is not working. I created a restore point directly after I
formatted my hd, I updated all hardware drivers ect. I create a restore point
named "Master_Restore_Date", so if my comp messes up I can go back to the
very first day I installed all my updates. Heres my problem, the
Master_Restore point I created is nowhere to be found, I don't see the
restore point I created from the list? Why is my restore point gone? and
where is it?

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Restore points are erased after 90 days, or when the disk space alloted for
restore points is filled, whichever occurs first. In addition, restore
points can become unusable, typically due to viruses.

"I create a restore point named "Master_Restore_Date", so if my comp messes
up I can go back to the
very first day I installed all my updates."

That's not what System Restore is for. You are confusing System Restore with
backing up. Time to do some reading about the purpose of System Restore.

To restore your computer to its exact state at any given point in time you
need disk imaging software. Look at Ghost by Symantec or True Image by
Acronis.

 

[Guest]

Thanks very much for your quick reply Ted, I understand the purpose of system
restore now. What's the point in creating a restore point if it gets
overwritten? sencless if you ask me. I will look into the software you
mention, Thanks Again!


Regards,
Ralph

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Is SR creating any checkpoints by itself? Create a checkpoint in both
Normal Mode and Safe Mode under different names - which, if either do you
see?

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Actually, System Restore is a terrific feature - if you understand what it's
for. Too many people confuse it with backing up.

System Restore creates restore points. A restore point contains a copy of
the registry and a collection of key system and user files. If your system
goes down, say on account of a failed software install or a bad driver, the
restore point contains enough of the essential guts of Windows to get you
back to the user interface. From there you can try to fix the problem - roll
back the driver, use the Troubleshooters in the Help and Support Center,
etc. Without System Restore you might never get back to the GUI. Now you're
looking at the oh-so-easy-to-understand Recovery Console or, even worse, a
reinstall.

Obviously, this isn't the same as a backup. Too many people think that
running System Restore is supposed to fix their problems. Not so. SR is a
tool that gives you the opportunity to fix problems on your own.

You wouldn't want to restore your computer to a point in time that's any
earlier than when the problem first began. Think of what would happen if you
restored with a restore point that's 30 days old: Your registry is 30 days
old, but the rest of your computer is today. That's a plan for instability.

 

[Guest]

Hi Will,

Yes, SR is creating restore points on its own, it works/functions fine. I
was wondering what happened to the restore point I creating? It's nowhere to
be found. Why bother create a restore point if it gets erased? windows
creates random saves so it's senceless for me to create them. I am currently
looking into Norton SystemWorks.

Thanks Very Much for your reply,
Ralph

 

[Will Denny]

Hi Ralph

You've obviously got enough disk space available for SR if checkpoints are
being created automatically. The manual ones should be created as well -
unless you are trying to name the checkpoints something like AUX, COM,
PRN...

I can't comment on Norton SystemWorks as I don't use any Symantec products.

 

[Ted Zieglar]

"windows creates random saves so it's senceless for me to create them."

Incorrect. As I wrote in an earlier post, you always want to restore to the
most recent restore point. So before you do something that you're not so
sure about, like upgrading a driver, create a restore point.

If you're looking for backup software in Norton SystemWorks, you need to buy
the Premier version, which includes Ghost.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

An upgrading of a driver, or any installation of software, should create
it's own checkpoint beforehand. Unfortunately, this doesn't always happen.

 

[Guest]

thanks very much for all your help, you guys have been very informative and I
greatly appreciate all your help.

Prior to installing updated drivers/software windows creates a save point on
it's own, so as I said earlier it's sencless for me to create them.


Regards,
Ralph