System Restore doesn't seem to work in Vista!

[MarshallO]

I have Vista Home Edition, 32-bit, and tried for the first time today to do a System Restore, and got an error pop-up every time I tried to use it!

The error message said something to the effect that "System Restore did not complete successfully. Your computer system files and settings were not changed," and then went on to tell me that I should try a different Restore date.

I did this with about 5 different Restore dates and always got the same error message! I finally called Dell Technical Help (my computer is still under warranty, so they will help with the OS), and the only way we were able to do a System Restore was offline and in Safe Mode.

The Dell Tech Supervisor told me that they are always receiving reports of System Restore problems with Vista, and that it is a Vista "glitch" of some kind. He suggested that it had something to do with downloads that don't create their own Restore Points or some such, and that I should always create a manual restore point before each download.

As part of my upset over this, I used Disk Cleanup to erase of all my prior Restore Points (none of which I have any reason to go back to), and have just one "manual" Restore date at this point.

Since I have nothing yet to download to try to see if I can restore back to the manual Restore Point that I created, I don't know if System Restore will now work while online and not in Safe Mode.

Does anyone know about any known Vista System Restore "glitches", and have any suggestions as to what I might do to see that it works correctly from now on (online and not in Safe Mode)?

I would be in mortal terror if I have to reload Vista in the process, as I am not that computer-literate.

Thanks!

[AnnMarie]

The Dell Tech Supervisor told me that they are always receiving reports of System Restore problems with Vista, and that it is a Vista "glitch" of some kind. He suggested that it had something to do with downloads that don't create their own Restore Points or some such, and that I should always create a manual restore point before each download.

Is that right? :rolleyes:

Do you happen to have Norton AntiVirus installed MarshallO? If so, which version?

[jayt]

I have had constant problems with Vista restore points when I have attempted to use it. I have found that the only way I can get to a restore point is by using the Dell Restore disk. Instead of choosing Repair start up, I chose Restore my computer, and then chose a date to restore. Even this takes a long time, but maybe that is because I have a large hard disk?

[MarshallO]

Anne Marie: I don't have Norton Antivirus, I use Avast!

jayt: What you have done to create a restore point is exactly what the Dell Tech Representative had me do!

At least, I'm glad that I'm not alone!

In a nutshell, Vista sucks!

[AnnMarie]

jayt, have you tried running System Restore in Safe Mode (restart your computer and tap F8 continuously as it restarts)?

The ability to run System Restore in Safe Mode but not Windows indicates that a startup is causing the problem and Norton has been identified as one culprit. They even acknowledge this here (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/sharedtech.nsf/pfdocs/2005113009323013). Avast also has an anti-tamper feature and is very likely causing your problem too MarshallO.

The only way to find out for sure is uninstall Avast, reboot and try running System Restore now.

[jayt]

Ann Marie, no I haven't tried running it in safe mode. As to antivirus, I am using Nod32 and I don't think it interfers.

[AnnMarie]

I havent heard anything regarding Nod32 jayt but it wouldnt hurt to try System Restore in Safe Mode. Not everyone will have the same problem but we have not heard of many issues with Vista's System Restore that could not be directly traced to third party software or malware.

[MarshallO]

AnneMarie:

I take it back, the Dell tech had me do it through F8, F8, F8, Safe Mode, etc.--not entirely JayT's way--but he did have me put in my Dell Restore disk for some reason.

I'm not all that computer-literate, but we someone used the Repair Computer command, and "rstrui.exe" in the "cmd" ms-dos prompt to somehow accomplish all of this, but I didn't know exactly what we were doing (the tech just told me what to do)!

Do I really have to "uninstall" Avast!? Can't I just turn it off for the time being when I restore?

One other irrelevant Question as a side note, please. Except when I receive an Email notifying me of a post (in this last case, there were several posts before I got notified), I don't know how to find my own Questions! Can you please tell me how to do it?

Thanks!

[AnnMarie]

Do I really have to "uninstall" Avast!? Can't I just turn it off for the time being when I restore?

Well we can try but if it doesnt make any difference, the only alternative is to uninstall Avast. You can always reinstall it.

Go to Avast! settings > Troubleshooting and check Disable avast! self-defense module. Next, turn off real time protection by rightclicking on the Avast icon in the lower righthand corner of your screen. Choose Disable, Quit or whatever option is offered.

Try running System Restore now.

One other irrelevant Question as a side note, please. Except when I receive an Email notifying me of a post (in this last case, there were several posts before I got notified), I don't know how to find my own Questions! Can you please tell me how to do it?

Sure. When you logon, look in the top lefthand corner and you will see My Control Panel. Open it and you will see all topics that you have posted in or started that have received a reply since you last logged in. If you click on List Subscriptions (lefthand side), you will see the lot. :)

[MarshallO]

Thank you, AnneMarie!

I won't be able to try any of the System Restore / disable Avast! business until I have another need to System Restore, of course--which may be never!

Thanks, too, for telling me where to find my Posts!

MARSHALL

[AnnMarie]

Thanks, too, for telling me where to find my Posts!

You are welcome.

I won't be able to try any of the System Restore / disable Avast! business until I have another need to System Restore, of course--which may be never!

Well you could if you wanted to and doing so might help other Avast users if this is an Avast issue but of course that is up to you. I ran System Restore yesterday to be sure this wasnt a Dell problem.