System Restore file 3

[warik]

Dear all,

About system restore XP, it's really wonderful tool. But I don't know where that file saved, I mean if we make a lot of new Create Restore Point for system restore, it will take a lot of HD space.

Can I delete some of that restore point?
Can I move all or some restore point to other HD or Write to CDRW for next emergency situation?

Thank you in advance

 

[bcastner]

Let me rephrase slightly your questions, and see if I do not answer the underlying concerns.

1. Can I delete System Restore files to save space?

The restore points are co-dependent. If you had three restore points A, B and C then you could not remove any of them except for B and C. Point C depends in part on the information in points A and B. Point B depends in part on the information in point A.
As a consequence Windows does not permit you to edit them. It does allow two options: to delete all restore points by turning off System restore; or, to limit the number of restore points by restricting the total hard disk space restore points can use.

2. Can I backup or Archive restore points to another drive or another medium?

Given what was said above, it should be clear that the dependent nature of restore points makes an Archive of no value. Each new restore point is made with deliberate reference to what the existing prior restore point contains.

If you backup the entire Windows volume, the rstore points are of course backed up. But you could not incrementally backup and then expect to restore subsequent restore points.

The restore points are not saved as a single package. Rather they are seperate and tied entries to the registry, and a seperate and tied file store.

It is not possible to untangle the mess and simply use an arhived restore point. The registry is too dynamic to permit this as a safe operation, and the reconciliation of newer files with older versions, or files that did not exist prior to the restore point, become too problemtatic to suggest anything other than a full restore from an image or incremental backup source that begins with a full volume image.

 

[bcastner]

As I clicked inadvertantly saved I wanted to end the note with a good example, I hope.

Think of System Restore as a form of an incremental backup system. You have point A in which you do a full backup, and subsequent incremental backup points B and C.

To restore point B you need to restore point A and then overwrite when necessary the changes made since to reach the state point of B.

You cannot just do B. You have to do A and then B.

System Restore works roughly like an incremental backup system to tape or other medium. You cannot just jump into the middle of the queue.

 

[warik]

bcastner, your answer really detail and all answer my questions. Now I understand about how XP system restore work.

Maybe what I should do to save the space, at a stable system, deleted all restore point and than create new restore point for the current stable system.

Thank you very much bcastner

 

[linney]

Regular use of the Disk Cleanup Tool is a good idea. Under "More Options" it has the option to delete all Restore Points except the last created one.

 

[bcastner]

Good point linney. This is certainly a better way to refresh to restore points than disabling the service.

 

[ebqed]

hi there
I was under the impression you can delete some of the restore points. Atleast all but the most recent ones.
Goto programs/accessories/system tools/
click "disk cleanup"
select your drive
Click the "more options" tab
this then gives you the option do remove restore points

dosnt it?

Regards
Sarah
PCKeys Australia

 

[bcastner]

ebqed,

Yes it does, as linney noted above.

If you have restore points existing A, B, C and D, then one can either clear ABCD, or clear ABC.

You cannot clear just B for example. Nor could you just clear D.

 

[build]

If D is dependent of ABC how can the system delete all but last point? I thougth the CAB files were a snapshot of the registry and other info!? No?

The problem is that you can't force Windows to keep a specific restore point that you find particularly valuable and save it from being deleted by more recent ones (not always more valuable). With win 98 I used to save my favorite CAB file but with XP I don't know were they<re save.

Clues somebody?

Thanks

 

[bcastner]

Sorry, not .CAB files.

Repharased:

Say you have Restore points F, G, H, I

Restore point I has a dependency on (likely) restore points F, G and H.

Windows will not let your remove Restore point G, for example. This effects the dependency of Restore points H and I.

All or nothing due to the dependency. I really was using the lower letters of the alphabet for the same explanation, and not referring to .CAB files under Windows.

Bill

 

[SYAR2003]

Limit of the reserved space for system restore .
Go into control panel .
System
System restore TAB .
Click settings .
Move the slider to your liking .( &quot; disk usage &quot; )
Note ! Having it lower will reduce the number of
backed up restore points .

SYAR

 

[linney]

You don't really want Restore Points going back too far as they will more than likely uninstall all programs or settings you have changed since your &quot;go back point&quot; causing you more problems than it may fix.

The average restore point is 25mb+ with a &quot;first in, first out&quot; policy on restore points. They contain mainly deleted or altered exe, dlls, shortcuts and a registry backup and user profile details. They do not contain users data.

Keeping restore points for a week seems adequate. Amount of disk space used depends on the size of your restore points. Some restore points can be as large as 500mb after major alterations to a system (ie a new service pack or several hefty program installs, or running SFC /Scannow).

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...y/en-us/dnwxp/html/windowsxpsystemrestore.asp

http://microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/itcommunity/Newsgroups/FAQSRWXP.asp