Tips: XP Restoration

[Killer]

Q: How do you use the System Restore feature in Windows XP?

A: The System Restore feature built into Windows XP provides users with a method of returning the system to a previous configuration. Windows XP creates what are called Restore Points, which are snapshots of what the system looked like at a specific point in time.

Previous versions of Windows, such as 2000 and NT, had a similar option to restore to the Last Known Good Configuration, but the difference is that Windows XP's System Restore feature allows you to choose any previous point in memory. Instead of just having a single restore point, Windows XP creates restore points every 24 hours (during times of inactivity) or every time you install or uninstall a program that is Windows XP restore point compliant.

Windows XP also creates a restore point whenever you install an unsigned driver, which is a software program that controls a hardware device but has not been certified as being Windows XP compliant.

The most common use of the System Restore feature is when you get yourself into trouble!

For instance, if you install a program or software driver that was written before the introduction of Windows XP, you can cause major instability (illegal operations, Blue Screen of Death, etc.) because it overwrites important files in Windows.

Or, if you can track a nagging problem back to a specific time (i.e. I didn't have any problems on Tuesday of last week), you can revert Windows back to a specific date.

If you do use the System Restore feature, any changes to your system such as program updates, new installations, or new drivers will be gone because the system is returned to a previous state.

This does not change data files such as word processing documents and spreadsheets that reside in the My Documents folder, but it could affect other non-Microsoft programs and data.

The good news is that if you do restore to a previous point and don't like what you see, you can restore the system to where it was prior to running System Restore.

You can also jump from point to point if necessary, since most systems will have a dozen or two restore points. The exact number of restore points is based on the size of your hard drive, the amount of hard disk space used, and the number of recently added programs or drivers.

To use the System Restore feature, click on Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then on System Restore. The initial screen will give you the option to 'restore to an earlier time' or 'create a restore point'.

Some advanced users that want Windows XP to run faster and don't want to allocate the extra hard drive space (up to 12%) for this feature will turn it off, but doing so erases all of the restore points. I would not recommend turning off this feature unless you are an advanced user that is diligent in creating backups and you're very careful of what gets installed in the system.

To modify or turn off the System Restore feature, go to the System Properties (right-click on My Computer, then choose Properties) then click on the System Restore tab.


Text taken from lockergnome

[Susan]

I had to do this once,not that long ago,Killer and it was yourself that taught me how,so what a great idea to post it here,thanks!! ;D :DSusan.

[beeboy]

Hi killer and Susan. I am one of those who never use system restore. I found it never worked for me when I really needed it both in ME and XP. I must be one of those lucky people. I can install and uninstall software to my hearts content and rarely have a problem. The one big reason I love Xp. System restore does use a lot of resources as well. I do have some tips and programs that I will share that ensure happier computing.
I always defrag before doing any major software changes. I use diskeeper 8. I used to use Total Uninstall. It is a monitoring program that monitors your installs and then uninstalls the program completely when you want. I hav'nt used it lately mainly because it is slow and I was reinstalling programs I was keeping. Erunt Registry backup is a great replacement for system restore. It will backup your registry and system files in under 10 seconds and restore them exactly. Great thing to use before an install and takes little resource. I also use a regcleaner regularly. These are not without risk. I have deleted needed files with these programs so caution is needed. Regvac is my fave. Just use it on novice mode and no damage is done and you can always double check the entries before deletion. There are lots of nice little programs out there for free that will make your computing very enjoyable!

[Killer]

XP restoration is an emergency only, last chance to sanity plan....

It saves alot of PCs from madness and alot of users from the hassle of reinstall. And I do agree that it takes alot of space for the restore datas. I myself disable it. And I do have time when my PC went bonkers and I have to clone my PC from the ghost image....

[Susan]

Hi beeboy! Although all those things you say sound very interesting to try I am sitting here going"How do you do that?" What is that?" I am lost...maybe you could explain them a bit more fully for the non-tachie such as myself,PLease!! Thanks. ;D ;)Susan.

[beeboy]

Cloning your drive with Norton Ghost as killer does. I have done that and keep a copy. It takes a long time to clone a drive and lots of cdrs. I have never restored from the copies. I'm on cable so getting the windows updates is quick. I now set aside 10 gigs just for xp and programs and keep all my data safe on other partitions. Not a big deal to reinstall - in fact I did it the other day.
Ah Susan! Once you get hooked on the wide world of free downloads you will never look back. There is so much and so much of it is good. I spend the largest part of my time on the puter trying out new programs. I have found some great stuff.
cnet downloads, snapfiles (used to be webattack), fileforum, and nonags are great places to find stuff. cnet has lots of people's comments on downloads too. I like to comment there as well.
There are so many things to make computing easier. And so many programs much better than Microsoft makes.
And then there is the wide world of linux. A whole new breed of Operating Systems. Dosnt have to be a window's world. I have used linux for more than 2 years - rarely crashes, never needs a defrag, and never gets a virus.

[Susan]

I am certainly glad all the techie people can help all the people who are trying to learn all these things...like me..thanks guy for all your help!! ;DSusan.

[joan48]

Not been on here for a while hope every one is okay.
Son has problem with scanner he has installed as it has somehow removed my printer!
I suddenly remembered this thread and have now shown it to him so hopefully it will help.
Just goes to show how good it is to have such boards. Thanks Susan for setting it up.

[Killer]

Joan, you probably do better just by reinstalling the printer again. Restoration is only as a last hope....

[joan48]

Thanks killer. He has tried re-installing it. We decided against restoration as he is not quite sure enough of himself so have a computer friendly friend coming down tomorrow to help.

[teddirez]

often USB printers and scanners can cause interference with one another if you plug them in first and then install the drivers. Try uninstalling both sets of drivers then reinstalling after each one and THEN plug them in. The other reason if they are serial is some hardware issues between different brands when you plug the printer in via the scanner.