Windows XP forum: restore point failed

What you need to know is that System Restore can break. It's not absolutely reliable so when it breaks we have to fall back on other methods to fix the issue.

What we would need to know is the issue you are trying to fix.

Finally there are discussions about spyware, malware and other infections that damage System Restore. While repair varies, I've never found anyone that successfully fixed System Restore without losing the old restore points.

Bob

System Restore not working isn't your only problem.

You still haven't given any details of your system, so it is, still, difficult to give appropriate advice, but you may find the list below useful. Your system details are important, eg processor speed, and how much RAM you have may affect a computer's performance. What size hard disk and how much free space is on there could also be significant.

1] SpySubtract has now been taken over by Trend Micro and is called Trend Micro Anti-spyware. Norton 360 is an all in one security application, including anti-virus and anti-spyware. I don't know what your AT&T Online protection includes.

The thing is, too many applications running in the background checking the same things can slow a system down. For example, if your SpySubtract, and your Norton's 360, and your AT&T Online security, are all checking for spyware in the background, then they will be conflicting with each other. The rule is as follows;

a) Only one Firewall

b) Only one anti-virus running in the background. Keep it's virus definitions up to date.

c) Only one anti-spyware running in the background. Keep the spyware definitions up to date. It s a good idea to have more than one anti-spyware utility, because no one utility finds all the spyware, but use the others only intermittently, to double check the main one.

2] Have a look at some of the "Tips and Tricks" in the forum below;
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6121_102-0.html?forumID=45&threadID=22053&messageID=238454
In particular, look at Grif's post about "How to shut down unnecessary startup programs".

It may be that you ave too many programs that try to startup when you turn the computer on. Many programs try to get you to allow this when you are installing them because they want your undivided attention focused on their programs. But it is completely unnecessary, and when you see any options to "Load on startup" or similar, de-select it.

Also in Grif's tips, look for "How To Clean Unwanted Files From The Hard Drive".

3] I would ask a second opinion on whether you have any viruses. I would goto Housecall at http://housecall.trendmicro.com and have the site perform a full scan on your system, and delete everything it finds.

I hope that helps.

Mark

and have another go.

If it managed to clean 3 infections then each time you go back it may manage to clean more.

But if it keeps freezing, come back and we will try other anti-virus and anti-spyware utilities.

Mark

Hi allstetic2!

What Virus Program are you running in your system? Did you try scanning your system with your own software and what did it say at the end of the scan?

and had the same problem recently w/ System Restore failing to implement an earlier checkpoint (I was trying to salvage Windows XP Home from a suspected virus attack, no such SEE-gar!!). Had to pull the dreaded damn recovery disc out and zap the whole OS back to out-of-box mode, and start over from scratch. Took me five LOOOOOOOOOOONG hours to recustomize and set everything up again. Pain in the Windows drain!! Fortunately, my data files were backed up on CD-RW. My Windows System seems to have gotten infected by a virus from visiting some porn site: former idiot me is now MUCH WISER than that!!!

System restore really has only as many "points" as you have allowed disc space to use for that. Old, old "restore" points are very likely gone. I have found that when downloading new programs it is wise to try and use them immediately and then to see if any of your programs are affected. If you have any problems, then it is a simple matter to use yesterday's restore date. That will completely remove the offending program.