Restore Point

[The Hunter]

This a new problem for me, but when you go back to a restore point in XP, does it just remove the installed changes? IE installed software.

[Kyle06]

that's what it is supposed to do right??

[The Hunter]

I know, but this is Microsoft we are talking about, and having never had to use it before it cant hurt to ask.

[Kyle06]

Originally posted by The Hunter
I know, but this is Microsoft we are talking about, and having never had to use it before it cant hurt to ask.

Your right it can never hurt to ask, but I think that is what it is supposed to do but now that I think of it you can get, the file's it uninstalled by going to My Computer>Program Files and I think it is in there.

I don't remember I have not used it in a while when I have a problem I just reformat lol...

[The Hunter]

The format is coming, when I get my 98SE disk back. That was a hint to a certain friend that I need my disk, as i am running duel boot 98SE, and XP Pro. I wont touch the format option without all of my software at hand.

[Krell]

Originally posted by The Hunter
This a new problem for me, but when you go back to a restore point in XP, does it just remove the installed changes? IE installed software.

Hunter, it restores everything. Its is a snapshot of your registry, your system state data, security, you name it.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/itpro/managing/restore.asp

Windows XP automatically creates a Restore Point when any of the following occurs:

An unsigned device driver is installed
A new application is installed (if the installation program is compatible with System Restore
Windows Update is used to update your system
A Restore Point from earlier is restored
A backup using the Backup Utility is restored.


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q306/0/84.asp&NoWebContent=1

"System Restore." Microsoft's definition of this function is: "A service for x86-based computers that actively monitors your system and records changes to the registry, to system files and to certain application files. System Restore allows you to undo recent registry and file changes by using information previously saved in restore points. Use to restore the system to a previous state. System Restore is available in normal or safe mode."

System Restore automatically creates restore points based on a pre-set time schedule or in response to system events such as installing a new application or driver. You can also create restore points manually. In XP Professional, you must be logged on as an administrator to use System Restore. You should be aware that System Restore does not function as a backup program. It does not monitor or store information on any user data in the My Documents, Favorites or History folders. It also does not keep any information on graphics files (.bmp, .jpg, .eps, etc.) or files such as .doc, .xls, .mdb and .pst. The primary function of System Restore is to monitor changes to SYSTEM files, including the registry. Anytime you use the Windows update or Windows Installer, a new restore point is created. Restore points are also created every 10 hours of running time or at least every twenty-four hours.

System Restore reserves up to 12% of your hard drive space for storing information on these restore points. On my 40GB hard drive I found 4.2GB of space allocated to System Restore. When I checked the number of restore points, I found that there was one every day for the past two months, more than 60 restore points. That seemed to me to be excessive so I reduced the space allocated to System Restore to 2% (637MB). That decreased the number of restore points to 18 days, which I believe is more than adequate for the way I use this system. Since I also use a backup program, which copies my entire hard disk, I don't think I need all the restore data that WinXP sets aside. For minor problems, it is nice to be able to "roll back" the system to the condition it was in before a change was made.

If you want to alter the default settings for system Restore, go to Start, My Computer and select View System Properties from the menu. Then click on the System Restore tab. Remember, you won't find this tab unless you have Administrator privileges. You can then adjust the amount of hard drive space allocated to System Restore by adjusting the position of the slider. If you have a large hard drive, 10GB or larger, I would certainly recommend reducing the amount of space allocated to System Restore.

To determine the number of restore points available, click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. You will see a calendar with the restore dates highlighted. By following the on-screen instructions you can select a specific restore point and return your computer to its condition on that date. If you need more information on this process, go to Microsoft's web site and select support, knowledge base. Then search for the article Q306084. Or type in this URL: <http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;[LN];Q306084>. This article has step-by-step instructions for using System Restore.

Remember, System Restore is not a backup feature and does not replace backup software. System Restore saves registry information and incremental changes to monitored system files. System Restore does not save any of your personal data. In addition, System Restore requires that you be able to start Windows XP Home or Professional in safe or normal mode. You must use your backup software or ASR to recover from data loss due to hard disk-related damage that prevents you from starting the operating system in safe mode, normal mode or Recovery Console mode.

[The Hunter]

Ahh, thanks Krell, as that is what i suspected. I had a wee bit of a lock up with a program tonight, and when i tried to uninstall it the bloody thing is still there. Although it is gone from add/remove. Very entertaining. The sys is still running fine, but it just annoys the hell out of me. Oh well tomorrow is another day.

[The Hunter]

Thanks again for the explanation, and all of the help. I hope that it will help others here as well this old twat, er I mean fart. I went back two days and all is well again.
Oops, I almost forgot to say that I am sorry for driving you crazy with all of the questions. Now who else can I bug? J/K