[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Restore Your System When You Can't Launch System Restore here

[jnieurzyla]

"press a key" does not work when using wireless keyboard, you need to have the keyboard connected into the pc.

[mcaruso97]

Have purchased several PCs from HP that have had system restore disabled as part of stupid factory settings from the manufacturer. Maybe it was never enabled.

[windsorbug]

that didn't even work,,,had to reinstall operating system

[WilliamMacDonald]

This works for me, I think I got it from PC World earlier:
To start System Restore using the Command prompt, follow these steps:
Restart your computer, and then press and hold F8 during the initial startup to start your computer in safe mode with a Command prompt.
Use the arrow keys to select the Safe mode with a Command prompt option.
If you are prompted to select an operating system, use the arrow keys to select the appropriate operating system for your computer, and then press ENTER.
Log on as an administrator or with an account that has administrator credentials.
At the command prompt, type %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and then press ENTER.
Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to a functional state.

[RLConner]

On my PC my restore points are removed. How does this happen? Is it malware or something worse? I made many restore points after getting my new computer. Windows does not list any of them.
Bob

[headturner]

I'd like to know why I have to keep doing a system restore when my updates remove my Windows Media Player. I have Vista Premium and it happens regularly.

[TheBigOldDog5ydw]

I've repaired more computer than I care to admit and I can count on 1 hand I've seen system restore succeed. In the old days however it was rare for Goback fail to succeed. Microsoft had a perfectly working model to follow for rolling back a PC and they could not even get it right yet still managed to get Goback killed off.

[brocksamson]

i cant find the any key

[TimRussell]

WilliamMacDonald, on 09 April 2012 - 12:24 PM, said:

This works for me, I think I got it from PC World earlier:
To start System Restore using the Command prompt, follow these steps:
Restart your computer, and then press and hold F8 during the initial startup to start your computer in safe mode with a Command prompt.
Use the arrow keys to select the Safe mode with a Command prompt option.
If you are prompted to select an operating system, use the arrow keys to select the appropriate operating system for your computer, and then press ENTER.
Log on as an administrator or with an account that has administrator credentials.
At the command prompt, type %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and then press ENTER.
Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to a functional state.

That is what I do when I suspect malware, I have seen some that are active in regular safe mode or at lease have hindered the system restore.

[gmnelson2009]

gmnelson2009, on 29 June 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

RLConner, on 09 April 2012 - 01:35 PM, said:

On my PC my restore points are removed. How does this happen? Is it malware or something worse? I made many restore points after getting my new computer. Windows does not list any of them.
Bob

1. system restore might have been disabled. to activate go to control panel/system & maint./system/system protection, make sure the drive(s) you want protected are checked and <accept>.
2. 'free up space' and some system cleaner programs delete all but the last restore point, so use them with care if you have been having problems and might have to use system restore.
3. system restore's default uses a minimum of 300MB to a maximum of 15% of the disk space, when filled, each new point deletes the oldest point (so the points you created when you got your computer are long gone). this amount can be changed but I have forgotten where I found it but it is not in the menus, it is done from the command line.
4. restore points are created daily, prior to most program and driver installs, manually, and at some other system events, so if you do a lot of program changes you might push a usable restore point off the end if you don't ensure everything is working after a group of installs before doing more.
5. the best method for a 'long term restore point' is to make a system 'image' using a program like [Macrium Reflect Free]. for a first image my recommendation would be to follow these steps:
A. clean system install.
B. set up all user accounts and configure to your liking.
C. install all system updates/patches(you might have to do several passes as some won't appear until a prior update that it is based on is installed).
D. uninstall bloatware programs you do not want.
E. you can either create your first image back-up at this point as a completely clean system (this is best), or install your base line programs first then do the image.
F. if you ever have to use this file to recover a completely corrupted system you should repeat step 'C.' then make a new base-line image that has the updates/patches to that date.

[Puddleglum]

"Getting the timing right can be tricky ..." No kidding! Especially if you have default Lenovo (or HP, or Dell, or ...) proprietary SW that hides part of the normal Windows startup process.

Microsoft! It's 2012, and you still haven't added Win 98's Restart Computer in Safe Mode to the Shut Down options?

[brainout]

TheBigOldDog5ydw, on 09 April 2012 - 05:44 PM, said:

I've repaired more computer than I care to admit and I can count on 1 hand I've seen system restore succeed. In the old days however it was rare for Goback fail to succeed. Microsoft had a perfectly working model to follow for rolling back a PC and they could not even get it right yet still managed to get Goback killed off.

AMEN! That's another reason I will not use System Restore, and will not upgrade to Win7. GoBack has saved my machines at least once a fortnight, since I heard of and bought it, back in 2005. I won't run my machines without it. That means no McAfee, and per Acronis (wow, those people are uninformed), no Acronis. Fine. Macrium Reflect 5 Pro and GoBack are my 'insurance', and without them I don't want to compute.

So if that means I don't upgrade hardware, so be it. GoBack won't operate on a dual-boot system. But Macrium Reflect 5 Pro, will. So IF I upgrade to Win7, it will be dual-boot, so I can always default back to Linux. Then, all I have to do is disk image incrementally, on a daily basis. Takes seven minutes, if daily, and maybe less, if more than once a day.

By the way, there's an actively-supported product for XP called MagiCure, which has the same specs as GoBack; same limitations, too. So if you're looking for an XP replacement and can't find a useable copy of GoBack to purchase on the web, maybe look at MagiCure. I didn't buy it -- because I already have a full supply of GoBack copies purchased -- but MagiCure sounds promising.

This post has been edited by brainout: 23 August 2012 - 01:15 PM

[dls1989]

ok, i don't know what my pc's problem is. i run windows xp professional. i turn on my pc, it will get to my desktop screen no problem, but 2seconds after my desktop appears, it goes black and then to the blue crash screen. i keep trying to use F11 to do system recovery but it's like my pc is ignoring the F11 key and goes to start up (and fails). i don't know much about xp as i am used to vista. if anyone can help me i would be very greatful.

[kashishlamba]

my system is not starting up without the startup repair.......what should i do??
reply plzzzzzzz fast......