Windows System Restore Problems

I have been trying to use System Restore and I keep getting a message to restart because it cannot save a restore point. I believe I might have something running at startup so it keeps giving me this message but I'm not sure how to find out what it is. Can someone help?

I'm wondering if I need to edit something in my win.ini file or use regedit but I don't want to touch those unless needed. I've downloaded some anti-virus software recently and uninstalled that when it gave me trouble and went back to another anti-virus program. Is there some easy way to turn off everything when starting up and still be able to save a windows restore point?

I tried safe mode but it only lets you restore from a previously saved restore point. My computer is not saving restore points now. I'm using Windows ME.

Mod Edit: Retitled Thread At Author's Request.

[edit on 11/7/2006 by Mirthful Me]

There is an update for Windows ME system restore on the Microsoft update site. It had a bug in it. I don't know if you will lose your older backups if installed though.





Pie

Update. I managed to fix the anti-virus program by going to their site and they had a bug. I deleted an entry in the registry file and was able to successfully install their latest version. For the curious Avira Antivirus classic (free version number 7.0) was the name that had the bug apparently for some set ups. Unfortunately that didn't fix system restore. I downloaded a bug fix that didn't seem to do anything either. I even removed all but explorer and one or two other files from showing up when booting up. So I don't know why system restore won't create any restore points.

The only thing I can think of is to back up my hard drive and reinstall windows but that will take time. Any other suggestions?


NOTE: If someone wants to rename this thread to "Windows System Restore Problems" that would be fine with me. Thanks to anyone who does so.

[edit on 10-7-2006 by orionthehunter]

orion - alternatively, why bother with system restore at all?

You mentioned backing up your hard drive. I suggest possibly getting a hold of one of the many backup utilities out there, and just use that. Foregoing System Restore altogether. There are apps that will duplicate your hard drive, including the boot sectors, etc. One I have used is Drive Image.

Unless of course, you are a glutton for punishment, or would otherwise want to do a complete reinstall of everything anyway.

As I don't know much about Windows ME, I can't offer much more help.

What problems are you having other than not being able to use System Restore?

Or do you just want to set a restore point for future use?

Mechanic 32.

Thanks for the suggestion. Using system restore was simple because it was just a few clicks away to restoring a system back to the way it used to be if something went wrong. I just wanted an easy method to restore my computer when bugs or whatever messes up my system. I'm also wondering what security problems lie with windows ME now that microsoft abandoned updates to all of their older products to save a few bucks.

Other than system restore not saving restore points and having more browser error messages, I'm not noticing any significant problems more than normal.

Well, hang in there. I don't know all that much about Win ME, but maybe eventually one of the computer wizards here will have a suggestion that will get System Restore restored.

Thanks. Perhaps I should add that I tried running the registry checker and it stated that it found errors and was correcting and then would reboot. I did that a few times and it always finds errors and reboots. I'm not sure what is wrong with that. I restored some old registry files from last year but that didn't help either in terms of being able to save System Restore points. It's possible those files were saved when I was having system problems a year ago.

Sad to say, you might be a little overdue for an upgrade. With Windows Vista on the near horizon, even Windows XP will be obsolete before too long.

I know it will be a pain in the backside, and a real pain in the wallet, but in the long run, it will pay off.

Just think, every year that passes now, Win ME, 98, 95, etc., are becoming even more obsolete.

I have a lot of time and money invested in XP compatible applications and hardware. I know that sooner or later, everything I have will be obsolete as well. That's one oof the reasons why I specifically chose for my newest PC, one with a 64 bit Vista Compatible microprocessor. AMD Atlon 64x2 Dual core 3800+ . Only 2.0 GHz, but a step in the right direction. Not a bad price, either.

[edit on 7/12/2006 by Mechanic 32]

I heard Vista I think it's called, is due out in January. It'll probably be buggy like most rushed Microsoft programs seem to be in my opinion.

I actually thought if I go through all the trouble, I could try Linux instead. However I don't know if that is compatible with all of the Dos and Windows programs I have.

I've heard a lot about Linux. Both good and bad. As for Vista, it probably won't be ready for prime time for another couple years. I wo'nt even bother with the first two releases. By the third release, things should be working pretty good. But I'll have to wait and see what actual users say, as it comes out. It is in Beta testing right now, and there is, or at least was for a time a Beta Download available for Vista.

[edit on 7/12/2006 by Mechanic 32]

Just in case this helps someone I'm posting some related info. As stated earlier I believe (maybe not) the not at all profit hungry company called Microsoft (sarcasm off now) dropped support for Windows ME and the older operating systems. They're hoping I believe a ka-ching effect as users have to shell out some major bucks to upgrade. Security may be an issue but if it is, I think the manufacturer should stand by their product. I had thought about upgrading to Windows XP service pack 2 the Home Edition. There is also a professional edition. Someone showed me a newspaper article from The Greenville News stating that Microsoft will support XP Home and Media Center Edition two years past Vista's introduction (due 1st quarter 2007). This means support ends in 2009 in just a little over 2 years. XP Professional will be supported for 7 years after Vista comes out per the newspaper.

If a company is a major profitable company, I really believe they should stand by and support their products instead of dropping support after just a few years. I guess that's what a near monopoly can do. The richest people in the world are trying to force people who bought their buggy products into shelling out a lot more cash. Makes perfect sense to me. I may think more about Linux. I'm wondering if it's pretty compatible with most windows or dos based programs or not.