sounds like your system registry is corrupted?

Ok But what is your suggestion???

repair/reinstall windows

try making a new (administrator) account and changing the option from there .

also right click on "my computer" and choose manage. go into services and check that the system restore service is started and set to automatic

Hey

Are you using XP Home Ed? You can't use any of the useful *.msc apps of XP Pro on the poorer relation. If you are running XP Pro, and gpedit is missing from c:\windows\system32 then maybe a repair, or "chkdsk" (in recovery console) is the best idea.

I assume this is a home PC, not on a Domain, because Domain policy could overwrite.

That leaves you I think with the registry. I searched for the registry key for this here but, MS don't advise changing DisableSR.

Here is some more info on the DisableSR.

Hope this is of some help, regards, Dave.

Just saw this if it helps

Starting System Restore From a Command Prompt in Windows XP
1. Restart your computer or turn the computer on
2. Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
3. Select the "Safe Mode with Command Prompt option" and press Enter
4. Log on to the computer with an administrator account
5. Type the following at the command prompt and press Enter
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
6. Follow the onscreen instructions to restore your computer to an earlier time.

And if you get gpedit working....


Re-enabling System Restore in Windows XP via the Group Policy Editor
In some cases, System Restore is disabled via the Group Policy Editor. In these cases, System Restore does not show up as a tab under My Computer Properties in Windows XP. If it doesnt show up, the question becomes how do you turn it on in the first place. To re-enable System Restore via the Group Policy Editor, follow these directions:
1) Start the Group Policy Editor by clicking on Start, Run and typing gpedit.msc in the Run box and pressing Enter
2) In the left hand column, click on Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, System Restore
3) In the right hand column, set Turn off System Restore and Turn off Configuration to Disable
4) Minimize the Group Policy Editor
5) Right click on My Computer and Select Manage
6) In the right hand column, double click on Services and Applications, then Services
7) Find the System Restore Service and double-click to open
8) On the General tab set [Startup Type] to Automatic using the drop down list
9) Click the Start button to start the service
10) Close the Computer Management console
11) Maximize the Group Policy Editor and set Turn off System Restore and Turn off Configuration to Not Configured
12) Close Group Policy Editor and reboot the system.
13) Once the system is rebooted, Click on Start, Right-click on My Computer, click on Properties and the System Restore tab should appear again.

From

http://www.pchell.com/virus/systemrestore.shtml

Hi!!!
I've tried to do what you told me but it also doesn't work. So don't you have another suggestion???

Thanks, DaveB, I went to a command prompt under safe mode and
I was still rejected with the message:
"System Restore turned off by Group policy."


And if you get gpedit working....



I tried Gpedit but there was no System Restore under System.

Would you have any other suggestions?

Thanks.

My turn. Betcha don't got enough space on your sys drive to make a restore point? That little matter will automatically disable System Restore. Well, it could be an answer.... although I imagine it is only a problem for those with multiple partitions, and who have made C: too small...