System restore option

[alphaxy]

Good day,

I have used system restore as an option to fix errors that my laptop is experiencing. I just would like to know if it has to be in safe mode so that errors will not be saved and you cannot undo any restoration or you may run system restore not in safe mode? which is more preferable?

If I have used system restore as an option, will it fully erase the errors or its just a temporary?

thanks. Im confused.

 

[eyec]

neither, it just restores your system to the state it was in at the time of the last restore point was created.

 

[ArizonaGeek]

System restore shouldn't be used as a fix it tool. You should actually try to figure out the cause of the error. You wouldn't necessarily buy a new car just because your check engine light comes on.

Hence, websites like this where if you'd like to figure out the cause and solution to issues, you can post your problems.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!

 

[linney]

Run System Restore from Normal Mode, try it from Safe Mode only when Normal Mode fails to restore your computer. The Safe Mode option will not give you the "Undo" restore option should you need it.

Windows XP System Restore Is Easy to Use

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

Undo System Restore (a Vista link but applicable to XP)

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-us/help/fd0b642e-193c-4a23-9045-9faac6eb5b8b1033.mspx

Microsoft Windows XP System Restore
Bobbie Harder
Microsoft Corporation

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms997627

MS-MVP Bert Kinney's site is only about System Restore in XP:

http://bertk.mvps.org/

 

[alphaxy]

I made it.

However, Do you have any idea why is that some folder names were changed and not over written?

Is it the more you make system restore, the more these files were multiplying in my drive C folder? Is the system were using these new folders? how about the old ones?

The error was created last april 30 and the last date it created a restore is last april 22. Is the error fully erased? or its just there? How will I know how much space is this system resore option is using on my system?

It says that you need atleast "200MB" space to use system restore. Is there any possible way to delete some restores which is not significant? to free some space in my hard disk.

Thanks
---------------------------------------------------------
Alphaxy is very grateful to have someone like you. Best of the best sharing knowledge to those who need it.

 

[linney]

Have a look at the "More Options" tab in Disk Cleanup, which allows you to delete all but the last restore point.

If you turn off System Restore and turn it back on it will delete all restore points. The same location where you turn off System restore allows you to set how much space it uses. Control Panel/ System/ System restore.

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 "go back point" causing you more problems than it may fix.

The average restore point is 25mb+ with a "first in, first out" policy on restore points. They contain mainly deleted or altered exe, dlls, system files, 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).

310312 - Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310312&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

How to gain access to the System Volume Information folder

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;309531&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

http://www.theeldergeek.com/system_volume_information_folder1.htm

2) More On Cleaning Out Old "Service Pack" Folders

http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-01-30.htm#2

308008 - How to Remove the Windows XP Uninstallation Files

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308008&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Do you use Hibernation? If not turn it off to save 500+MB.

How to Remove Windows XP Service Pack 1 Folders

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;329260&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

More On Cleaning Out Old "Service Pack" Folders

http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-01-30.htm#2

"Do you have any idea why is that some folder names were changed and not over written?"

No, can you give us an example?

 

[alphaxy]

Linney,

I found out that when system restore is successful, the moment I restart my laptop, there is an info box appear with a link of renamed files.

Say for example,
C:\Program Files\Adobe

there is a folder which will be created when you apply system restore named,
C:\Program Files\Adobe(2)

Regards,
AlphaXY

 

[alphaxy]

Hi linney,

I forgot to mention that these files has the same sub-folders inside of it. I just don't know if these new folders were really necessary. It just create another one in each system restore you made.

Say you make another system restore, then it will be:
C:\Program Files\Adobe(3)

BUT, the old folders remains the same.

Do you have any idea if these new folders are the new resource of programs when you run an application?

Thanks & Regards,
AlphaXY

 

[BadBigBen]

Those are just different RESTORE points, which get created by the OS when you install software etc., so that you can reverse to, e.g. the last restore point gets corrupted, then you can try the next one, etc...

I hope I worded that clear enough to be understandable...?

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[alphaxy]

Thanks BadBigBen. It is clear already =)

 

[linney]

Did you uninstall or remove Adobe sometime prior to running System Restore, and then ran System Restore more than once, causing it to create the Adobe folder on more than one occasion?

 

[manhunter2826]

Linney provided the following useful link in his above post:

http://bertk.mvps.org/

In the FAQ there is the following question
'Should I purge all my restore point BEFORE removing virus & malware infection?'
to which the answer is 'NO'.

Have I misunderstood or misread (quite possibly Yes!)? If you have malware/virus infections I always thought it was correct to STOP system restore, remove the virus etc, and then RESTART restore. Would love to hear your thoughts.
(To be fair, and it's a nice FAQ, he is talking about purging restore points which is a different kettle of fish I suspect?) Thanks all

 

[linney]

My advice for what it is worth is to NOT remove System Restore points before removing malware. This is in case the malware removal is not successful, not necessary due to false positives, or your machine crashes during such removal exercise.

Anything (malware) in a restore point can not be loaded and cause problems on your machine unless you actually run the System Restore program.

I would however advise removing the system restore points AFTER the successful removal of all malware and when your machine is running correctly. This is necessary to prevent reinfection of malware.

 

[manhunter2826]

Thanks Linney. I don't wish to be pedantic but does one differentiate between stopping system restore points and removing them? What I'm saying is: during the removal of viruses/malware one should still STOP system restore, remove malware etc. and then RESTART SR? Is that correct? Thanks.

 

[linney]

If you stop System restore (by turning it off in the Control Panel/ System/ Advanced/ System Restore) then all restore points are deleted.

If you use Disk Cleanup/ More Options/ System Restore, then only the most recent restore point survives.

If you Stop and Disable System Restore via Services it has the same result as you get from turning it off.

In any situation that you may "stop" System restore you should remember to turn it back on.

I prefer to keep System Restore running until after the malware cleanup, then stop and restart System Restore to clean that up.

 

[manhunter2826]

I prefer to keep System Restore running until after the malware cleanup, then stop and restart System Restore to clean that up.

Thanks Linney, that makes it nice and clear now