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Windows XP: Poll: How useful do you find Windows System Restore?
- 5/22/09 11:16 AM
Are you serious?
by cyberdave03 - 5/23/09 7:22 AM In reply to: Don't waste time on any system restore method other than ... by hifly.liuJust format the drive and reinstall? And say goodbye to tons of important programs, data, and settings? That's like saying "buy a new car" to someone who asks "how do I fix a scratch on the hood".
Useful, but not reliable
by santuccie - 5/22/09 11:05 PM In reply to: Poll: How useful do you find Windows System Restore? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have run System Restore on other people's machines, but rarely in the case of a malware infection. And even when there is no infection, there's never a guarantee that System Restore will work. On my own machines, I lock down the kernel for security, and don't use System Restore at all; disabling write-access to system32 cripples System Restore.
For a quick fix option, I use the backup utility to preserve the system state. And in case of disaster, I also use Acronis True Image.
In concert with other software
by Former Big Iron Guy - 5/23/09 8:15 PM In reply to: Poll: How useful do you find Windows System Restore? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have used the restore information set by windows, but the driver of the process is VCOM's Recovery Commander. Recovery Commander tracks added information over and above that created by M$oft. I generally use it for those "oops" situations, and usually never over a week old.
For complete backups and recovery, I use Acronis True Image. I generally back up to DVD sized chunks and burn a rotating set of RW DVD's and snapshot periodic DVD-R backups whenever anything serious needs to be done.
FBIG
It gives me the freedom to try out software ...
by davagain - 5/23/09 9:02 PM In reply to: Poll: How useful do you find Windows System Restore? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
...that otherwise would be too much of a risk. If it doesn't work out, I simply roll back the machine to a restore point.
I have Both S.R. & Erdunt & Find
by tobeach - 5/23/09 9:51 PM In reply to: Poll: How useful do you find Windows System Restore? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
that I use System Restore(SR) almost daily. Basically, I update all my protectors daily & then create a new SR Point. If I have any doubts of any kind, I do a restore to "yesterday" (which I know is perfectly clean due to last thing full scans before shut down for the night)) then Update & new restore for new known clean point.
I tend to be fanatical about this because I'm running old XP SP1 OS and am very aware of the holes available (most of which are disabled) and expect to have to do a clean up at a moments notice anytime (doesn't happen often, but ever ready).
In case of attack, I also run SFC after restore just in case settings corrupted. Because the majority of attacks disable SR, I also keep ERDUNT which they usually ignore. S&D Tea Timer's settings lock down usually derails attackers intended paths so any clean-up tends to be very minor.
I keep SR at 3% of HD and manually create daily , dump points about once per month due to software changes & clear all but the last 2 good
Erdunt points about every 2 weeks to save space. If SR corrupted Erdunt will save the day. Only sad thing is can't give good description to each point as I can in SR but since it's created daily, before new SR's, then last SR point is the description of it as well.
Handy when the updates themselves become the enemy.
I've never had the nerves to run Reg cleaners other than the old one by Jouni Vourio (pre jv 16 power tools)but not even that except to remove leftovers from un-installed wares.
I agree: "With a system in good working order, System Restore is one of the most useful utilities XP has." Wish deleting a "single SR Point" was an easier option (as w/ Erdunt) but convenience is the opposite of security! 
RE:
by iwish40 - 5/24/09 9:21 PM In reply to: Poll: How useful do you find Windows System Restore? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Sometimes it works and sometimes it don't.
I have an HP pc and when I asked HP about this feature, they said, that you should do 3 restore points, 1 restore point each day for 3 days. Then 1 of those restore points would work.
Don't make a whole lotta since to me.
Don't fool around - make a proper disk image
by rbugtel - 5/25/09 12:10 AM In reply to: Poll: How useful do you find Windows System Restore? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My company is a full-service business continuity provider, and we provide our clients with off-site backup that automatically backs up Windows System State daily, which will enable a bare-metal restore in the event of complete hard drive failure, theft of the computer or other computer-destroying disaster. (NOTE - this only works on Windows XP or later) We do that ourselves as well, but since we like to be extra-careful, we also use Acronis disk imaging software to create full disk images of our computers and servers every 3 months, so that we could completely restore a defective hard drive in just a few hours. The image is stored on an external hard drive, although it could also be burned to CD/DVD.
This is the best system restore option that I can recommend. A disk image stored in a safe location, and redone whenever a major change is made to the computer. Make a new one every 3 months, and as soon as your hard drive seems to be acting up (trouble reading/writing data, sounds that didn't used to be there, etc.). This will make your life way easier and safer.
Windows System Restore
by mballard58 - 5/27/09 2:15 PM In reply to: Poll: How useful do you find Windows System Restore? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have only been successful about 50% of the time with Windows System Restore. I have had Windows Home Server now for about a year. It is configured to back every night. I just restore from the Server when necessary. It has not failed me yet.
I use System Restore occasionally
by wally6151 - 5/29/09 9:20 PM In reply to: Poll: How useful do you find Windows System Restore? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
System restore is, as suggested, a hit or miss solution. It generally will fix a properly installed, but conflicting driver, an unintended loss of a functionality, and sometimes remove programs that have no uninstaller, perhaps requiring the offended program to be uninstalled and reinstalled. It's never been a cure-all, in any windows version.
You can test this by making a restore point, then installing windows live messenger, then try to get rid of it. It kills some Mozilla software, and no restore point, or uninstalling messenger, and the program and reinstalling the program, would fix it. Complete windows overwrite and update reinstall was required. Perhaps digital rights management?? I was not downloading music. Took 2-3 days on dial-up to fix e-mail and browser to previous state.
system rrestore,and help and support
by boopster35 - 5/29/09 9:31 PM In reply to: Poll: How useful do you find Windows System Restore? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
i have both of these,in my windows xp. but both seem to be shut off, system restore takes restore points, but i can not retrive back dates.
help and support, sends a message telling me to turn it on, but i have no clue,as to how.
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