954,281 Members — Technology Publication meets Social Media
Username:
Password:
Lost login information?
Have something to say? Contribute New Article Reply to this Article

Need major help with system restore

Hi. I am having problems with my system restore. I have windows xp pro. I click start and go to all programs click accessories system tools then system restore. However, when I click on system restore the hour glass appears by the cursor then nothing else happens. I dont know what to do. I have used this before, but I just installed some updates and now they system restore does not work. Please help me

Deaton52
Newbie Poster
4 posts since Feb 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

Go in safe mode. Login as Administrator. At the "Windows is running in safe mode warning" click No to launch System Restore.

gemini4
Posting Whiz in Training
253 posts since Jan 2006
Reputation Points: 19
Solved Threads: 13
 

It does not work in safe mode either. I did what you said and it does the same thing. The hour glass appears by the cursor then nothing happens.

Deaton52
Newbie Poster
4 posts since Feb 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

Go to start, choose run and execute services.msc. Look for a System Restore Service and make sure is set on Automatic.

gemini4
Posting Whiz in Training
253 posts since Jan 2006
Reputation Points: 19
Solved Threads: 13
 

Its status says started and its start up type is automatic.

Deaton52
Newbie Poster
4 posts since Feb 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

Hello,

I would backup my data, and then re-install WIndows XP. Yes, you might have the ability to use system restore, look at the amount of time you have invested mucking around with it instead of solving the problem.

It's also curious that your installed updates broke something. I would consider yourself fortunate that you even got into Windows, especially if your data is not backed up.

On the XP systems that I work with, I disable System Restore, and advocate backing up the data on a different device on a regularly, timely fashion. In my opinion, there is no such thing as a magical system restore.

Christian

kc0arf
Posting Virtuoso
Team Colleague
1,937 posts since Mar 2004
Reputation Points: 121
Solved Threads: 57
 

Or try system restore in recovery console.

http://toughadmin.com/article.php?article=System

-T

tayspen
<Insert title here>
Team Colleague
1,622 posts since Jul 2005
Reputation Points: 84
Solved Threads: 99
 

Well see it wasnt all the updates I installed. It was only one. I installed the main update along with a few optional updates. One of those optional ones was the ATI rage display update. At first all the colors on my screen was messed up, but then my computer changed the settings and got it back to normal. However, all my icons are messed up. They are all real big and choppy, but my settings are like I had them before for small icons. It even changed things in limewire and some other programs. One more thing system restore is not the only thing that doesnt work. Help and support does not work and neither does system information. They all do the same thing I click on them and the hour glass apears then nothing happens.

Deaton52
Newbie Poster
4 posts since Feb 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

Or try system restore in recovery console.

http://toughadmin.com/article.php?article=System

-T

Thismight work, but I'd advise against it. It's more trouble than it's worth, really.

Having been in a position to see System Restores do nothing for you on a nearly daily basis, I'm of the same mind as Christian (kc0arf). If it's that jacked up, just reinstall. Your system's not really ever going to be the same way again. Also, System Restore not launching probably has nothing to do with the botched update-- it in itself can indicate an entirely different problem.

alc6379
Cookie... That's it
Team Colleague
2,820 posts since Dec 2003
Reputation Points: 186
Solved Threads: 147
 

What about no ms config

GRBERNARD2000
Newbie Poster
2 posts since Dec 2007
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

I'm using xp home sp2 and have the same problem, but can at least open in safe mode. How do I re-install in safe mode?
Christiaan.

Christiaan
Newbie Poster
16 posts since Oct 2007
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

This article has been dead for over three months

Post: Markdown Syntax: Formatting Help
You