Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (
More info?)
You will get no argument from me on reliability. I have used the one in Iolo
System Mechanic 5 before and it has worked 100% of the time. I have done a
restore with both andd where Windows failed SM5 worked. I just don't always
think of it as it is not as convenient to get to as Restore is.
"Shenan Stanley" wrote:
> JustUs wrote:
> > Yesterday I downloaded Microsoft AntiSypware Beta. I created a
> > restore point before installing. When the program installed, it
> > created a restore point. I ran it and I did not care for the program.
> > It did find two files. I removed them via the program. Before
> > removing the program asked to create a restore point. I accepted. I
> > uninstalled the program and went to my restore point - NO. Program
> > install restore point - NO. Restore point before removing the two
> > files - NO. I did nothing else on the computer during this time. I
> > find that restore works about half the time. What is the problem??
>
> It is unreliable..
> The best way to keep it working as well as possible is to periodically turn
> it off, turn it on and make a manual restore point.
> (Best to do this right before installing something new and/or right after
> cleaning up your PC.)
>
> The system restore feature is a new one - first appearing in Windows
> ME and then sticking around for Windows XP. It is a useful feature
> if you keep it maintained and use it to your advantage. Remember that
> the system restore pretty much tells you in the name what it protects
> which is 'system' files. Your documents, your pictures, your stuff is
> NOT system files - so you should also look into some backup solution.
>
> Whenever you think about it (after doing a once-over on your machine
> once a month or so would be optimal) - clear out your System Restore
> and create a manual restoration point.
>
> 'Why?'
>
> Too many times have I seen the system restore files go corrupt or get
> a virus in them, meaning you could not or did not want to restore from
> them. By clearing it out periodically you help prevent any corruption
> from happening and you make sure you have at least one good "snapshot".
> (*This, of course, will erase any previous restore point you have.*)
>
> - Turn off System Restore.
>
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310405
> - Reboot the Computer.
> - Review the first bullet to turn on System Restore
> - Make a Manual Restoration Point.
>
http://snipurl.com/68nx
>
> That covers your system files, but doesn't do anything for the files
> that you are REALLY worried about - yours! For that you need to look
> into backups. You can either manually copy your important files, folders,
> documents, spreadsheets, emails, contacts, pictures, drawings and so on
> to an external location (CD/DVD - any disk of some sort, etc) or you can
> use the backup tool that comes with Windows XP:
>
> How To Use Backup to Back Up Files and Folders on Your Computer
>
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308422
>
> Yes - you still need some sort of external media to store the results
> on, but you could schedule the backup to occur when you are not around,
> then burn the resultant data onto CD or DVD or something when you are
> (while you do other things!)
>
> A lot of people have wondered about how to completely backup their system
> so that they would not have to go through the trouble of a reinstall..
> I'm going to voice my opinion here and say that it would be worthless to
> do for MOST people. Unless you plan on periodically updating the image
> backup of your system (remaking it) - then by the time you use it
> (something goes wrong) - it will be so outdated as to be more trouble than
> performing a full install of the operating system and all applications.
>
> Having said my part against it, you can clone/backup your hard drive
> completely using many methods - by far the simplest are using disk cloning
> applications:
>
> Symantec/Norton Ghost
> http://www.symantec.com/sabu/ghost/
>
> Acronis True Image
>
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
>
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
>
>
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