[vdkooiwa]

I have used System Restore successfully various time in the past. My OS is Windows xp pro SP3. On both my laptop and desktop computers, there are system check points for most days for the last couple months. However, when I try to run System Restore using any of them, they go through the motions, and then a message shows that the system could not be restored to the specified date and that no changes have been made. What could have happened to make system restore unable to restore the check points? How do I get it to work again? I have not added any software for several months, but there are the automatic updates periodically, which include Windows and Norton Anitvirus on-line with ATT Yahoo. I don't need a restore right now, but was checking to be sure it would work when I do add some software, and discovered this problem. Is it normal for there to be automatic check points saved almost every day that the computers are on?

[smax013]

Somewhat of a shot in the dark...but...how full is your hard drive? I believe that System Restore needs a certain amount of free space to "do its thing". If so and if your drive is beyond that point, then that could be the culprit. Like I said, shot in the dark.

[Flashorn]

Hey vd !!



Welcome to PCWorld Community !



When did you notice that System Restore was not working ?

Was it right after you installed SP3 ?

Also , how long since you have done a scan for Malware ?

Is the maintenance up to date (eg. Defrag , Clean Temps Files...) ?



FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

[vdkooiwa]

My 40GB hard drive is 50% free, which should be more than enough for System Restore. I noticed the failure of system to restore yesterday. The last time I used it was many months or a year ago, and then it worked. I do not know when SR3 was automatically installed.
I run antivirus and antispyware every week with ATT Yahoo Norton on-line protection. I ran Disk cleanup and Disk Defragmenter a week ago.

In Restore Help it suggested turning off restore and turning it back on to clean out all the stored restore points. I did that, and then created a Restore Point. When I restored this point it completed successfully. However, after I turned the computer off and back on and tried to restore the same point, I received the message that it could not be restored. I tried this create and restore before and after computer off and on twice with the same result. These experiments were on my Dell Vostro laptop. I haven't tried them on my desktop.

On my desktop yesterday I created a restore point, and then was able to successfully run system restore to that point. However, after the computer was off overnight, today I could not restore to the point that I had created yesterday.

[mphenterprises]

Hi vdkooiwa and welcome to the PCWorld Communities. :D




It has been documented that Norton, along with being a significant resource hog, interferes with System Restore functionality. According to this site, it seems there is a security feature in place that prevents outside programs from making system changes that would change Norton's files.

If you have not tried as of yet, please disable Norton before you attempt the System Restore and see if you have the same issue. Additionally, Norton is not a very popular application with this Community. If this suggestion corrects your issue, it may be in your best interest to remove Norton altogether and find an alternate security application.

[vardnjan]

I read a response that sugessted that Norton might be the culprit so I wrote to Norton and found this to be true. What one has to do if they want to do a system restore is first remove Norton and then do the system restore. I tried this approach and I was able to do a restore to an earlier date. Now you have to re-install the Norton Protection or find something else.

[vdkooiwa]

On my desktop I created a restore point on Saturday. As someone suggested in a post that I don't see in this thread, I downloaded AusLogic Registry Defrag and installed and ran it. No Restore points were automatically generated before or after running registry defrag. I created a restore point. I turned the coputer off and later came back to it and turned it on. Then I tried restoring to the time after installing and running registry defrag. Message, cannot retore to theat time. Then I tried restoring to the restore point I created on Saturday. Again the message, cannot restore to that time, nothing was changed. So that experiment didn't work. I will try turning off Norton antivirus next, and let you know what that does.

All your suggestions are much appreciated.

[vdkooiwa]

Thankyou to those who pointed me to Norton as the cause for System Restore not working.

PROBLEM SOLVED I have ATT Yahoo On-line protection from Norton that comes with a DSL line subscription. The site referenced sent me to 5 Star Support, which said to uncheck the box for Turn protection on for my Symantec product. This "protection" prevents System Restore from working. After the box was unchecked, System Restore worked normally on both my laptop and desktop.

With On-line protection software the route to the critical checkbox is different than described in the 5 Star Support article. It is buried and not easy to find, so I'll describe the route for others who may have DSL service from ATT and on-line protection from Norton.

dbl clk the on-line protection icon; clk Norton antivirus; clk edit settings; clk settings; scroll to bottom, additional options; internet security, protect my product; uncheck the box "Turn protection on for my Symantec product"

Run System Restore. After that is finished go back and check the box again.

[mphenterprises]

Hi vdkooiwa.I am glad that we wer able to help you resolve your problem. Since it appears that this Discussion is answered, please mark this Discussion as Answered by selecting the two (2) posts that you feel were "Helpful" and the post that you feel was "Correct."

[vdkooiwa]

The day after the System Restore problem was identified as being caused by Norton on-line protection and the suggested work-a-round was found to be successful; I received a message from ATT Yahoo that the Norton on-line protection for my DSL service was being replaced with McAfee on-line security. After removing the Norton software and installing the McAfee on-line security, System Restore works normally. Thanks to all those who replied to my request for help.