System Restore - Comments Page 5

I've tried to use System Restore a few times and only once has it been of any use, after a failed Netscape 7 install. I thus view it as near pointless. If I am installing a new product and am concerned I may need to back it out (like Beta), I may set a restore point prior as an in case. On a new system I always go in and set the restore resources. Firstly, on newer large drives, the default value can use up way too much disc space. 12% of 250 GB is far from needed.

Secondly, system restore on a non-boot drive is pointless so I turn off restore on those drives. If you see a "System Volume Information" folder with a _restore*&&^$ etc folder within, that drive is being tracked. (assuming you have system folders set to visible)

If you see System Restore as a backup solution, you will be sorely disappointed - its far from that. At least use MS Backup - its free and can be scheduled to run automatically. For example, set it to run Friday nights and leave your system up for that. What I use is ZipBackup for data. It archives files in Zip format - something that can be recovered anywhere - does not require a specific Windows program to access the files in the event of failure. (I've since heard that Genie is even better)

For your boot drive, your best bet is Imaging software. It takes a snapshot of the drive and backs up and restores much faster than file by file backup. Acronis is great here.

Hi, I have WIN XP SP2. Every attempt to use System Restore ends with a message, "System Restore could not restore your system to the previous point. No changes were made."

Moreover, the view of the System restore windows has changed : from a small calendar with bold dates and some color bands, it generates large calendar without bold dates on the white background.

How can i restore my very messy system when i have no restore points and no back up disc? Stupid i know but i bought a second hand pc and the sound does not work except on wmp. Now i,ve messed it completly and cant even restore. Im using win xp sp2

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sounds like you're ready for a format and re-install...

Here and elsewhere I have seen advice that System Restore can be damaged by virus or other malware and scanning to remove them might affect repair. My XP Pro SP2 system has the "cannot restore - no changes made" problem; has any particular virus or other infection been identified which causes this? Shooting at a target is easier than shooting blindly in the dark!

Wanted to give an update on the errors everyone was getting about "System Restore could not restore your system to the previous point. No changes were made", no matter how far back you went. Try booting into safe mode and running the system restore. This worked for me

I have win xp sp2 MCE,I've been saved many times using system restore.Even after upgrading to IE7 my restore has performed flawlessly.Apparently I'm very lucky indeed.

Hi, I am tryin to restore my pc, but there are no dates (other than yesterday) available. I can't even go back in months. The system restore has always been switched on. I want to restore, as my sound is really distrted, Help please!

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you are low on hard disk space, Windows may room for only one restore point. Not much you can do after the fact...

I was low on disk space, but recently moved all my files to another hard drive. Any sound I play is totally distorted, and I have no idea what to do.

I have an expired warrenty, no system restore disk, and can't get past "The Blue Screen" to access the start menu much less the control panel. It's a Dell Inspiron 9300. It won't start in normal mode nor safe mode. The only place I can access is F2 for setup but I don't know enough to use it effectively. Is all hope lost?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Can you borrow a friend's Windows CDROM?

I was under the impression I had to have the CD that came with my computer. I can get ahold of a CD from a different Inspiron 9300 but it didn't come with MY computer. Is that still going to work? If so, what do I do once I put the CD in my laptop?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't confuse the System Restore feature in Windows with a "system restore CD" supplied by your PC vendor. The latter will wipe your system and re-install to the original factory condition. And yes, it should work even if you borrow one.