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Sorry, I've lost my hard copy. I can't access system restore. When I tried to get to a back up date last week, There were none that worked. Tonight, when I went to check, I clicked on system tools and then system restore and it coughed up "My Computer" but didn't tell me where to go from there.
How can I get it to respond from the system tool/system restore icon ? I'm counting on you ! (g)

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Dani AI

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Short expert summary and what’s missing from the thread: has already tried the obvious UI checks and basic disk scans, and rightly suggested ruling out malware. When the System Restore dialog bounces back to My Computer it usually means the restore engine itself (the SrService and its supporting files) or the restore repository is damaged or unavailable, not just the menu shortcut. System Restore runs as a service (SrService) and depends on the Srsvc DLL; if those pieces fail the UI won’t open. (learn.microsoft.com)

Practical, non-destructive checks that weren’t covered yet: verify the System Restore service entry and the presence of the SR files in the Windows system folders; look in Event Viewer for Service Control Manager / srservice errors (Event ID 7023 or sr-related messages); inspect the restore repository under the System Volume Information folder for corruption or missing restore-point entries; and, if an XP install CD is available, consider a System File Checker pass (sfc /scannow) with the media handy (SFC has limits—its behavior on XP is specific and it may need the installation source). These steps let you decide whether files need to be restored from the dllcache or installation media before any reinstall. (learn.microsoft.com)

If those checks fail, back up personal data first. Then consider a Windows “repair” (in-place) install as a last-resort fix rather than an immediate full format: a repair install can preserve programs and data but has prerequisites (for example, remove later IE versions first) and will still require reapplying updates. An OEM factory restore (Dell recovery) usually wipes to factory defaults—so confirm which process the Dell media/partition will run before using it. (support.microsoft.com)

Context note: this expands on ’s malware and settings checks by focusing on the service, key files, the System Volume Information repository, and safe recovery choices. The above checklist is non-destructive and should be done before attempting any reformat or factory restore.

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Member Avatar for meagain

Hiya

This is all about it:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

Are you using a standalone pc at home, or is this networked at work or on a network in College?

Regards

eddie

Thanks Eddie, Sorry I wasn't clear. My home computer is a Dell 8250 that is just over a year old. I have checked for viruses, etc. and can find none. I do not take down the microsoft updates as with this and my last two computers, everytime I download the recommended updates, it screws up my computer and it ends up taking days of networking with all you smart people to get me back in the groove. I use this PC primarily for e-mail, word processing, a lot of graphic stuff that deals with computerized designs for a computerized knitting machine that I own as well as some stationary design and of course games, none of which are very complicated.
I can't recall any downloads or new programs that could have caused this glitch. I've defragged and used the scandisk but it hasn't helped.
Hope you can dig me out of this mud ! !

Member Avatar for meagain

Thanks Eddie, Sorry I wasn't clear. My home computer is a Dell 8250 that is just over a year old. I have checked for viruses, etc. and can find none. I do not take down the microsoft updates as with this and my last two computers, everytime I download the recommended updates, it screws up my computer and it ends up taking days of networking with all you smart people to get me back in the groove. I use this PC primarily for e-mail, word processing, a lot of graphic stuff that deals with computerized designs for a computerized knitting machine that I own as well as some stationary design and of course games, none of which are very complicated.
I can't recall any downloads or new programs that could have caused this glitch. I've defragged and used the scandisk but it hasn't helped.
Hope you can dig me out of this mud ! ![/QUOTE

As you can tell, I haven't learned how to travel in this program yet. I meant to tell you that I am downloading the link you gave me right after answering you. I'm to the point of reformatting. (Someone told me I coud re-insert my OEM CD and just re-run it over the top of my os but I'm not sure that's a reliable answer to my problem )

Member Avatar for eddie5659

I hate that word, Format :D

Anyway, see if this works:

Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Uncheck the "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives" check box.
Click Apply, and then click OK.

eddie

Member Avatar for meagain

I hate that word, Format :D

Anyway, see if this works:

Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Uncheck the "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives" check box.
Click Apply, and then click OK.

eddie

Thanks for sticking with me eddie, I've already been there and there is no check in the turn off system restore box. When I go to accessories and system tools and then system restore, it tosses me back to the my computer screen and I dont know where to go from there....
:rolleyes: I run scandisk and defrag pretty regularly and can't find any bugs so I'm lost...

Member Avatar for eddie5659

Have you tried scanning to see if you have any viruses? Some do disable it:

Just to rule them out, hope its clean.

Member Avatar for meagain

Have you tried scanning to see if you have any viruses? Some do disable it:

Just to rule them out, hope its clean.

Sorry Eddie, I've just spent an hour trying to get thru all the rigamarole installing the java that that link demands. Once done finally, going to the PC scan page and trying to download the PC scan, it stalls on opening the exe file and no matter what, it will not load...... I have ran my Panda antivirus just before all this and it shows that my computer is clean. (Panda updates upon going on the internet>) I use Mozilla and Fire Fox but am only given the Netscape option (BOO!) I'm tired of running around in this and ready to give up for now.... I certainly do thank you for trying to help. Maybe when my frustration level drops, I'll try again. For now, one last ditch idea, I'll go for a free demo of a virus scan and see what happens.... Thanks again.

Member Avatar for eddie5659

Well, if you want, you may be able to access the restore via a command prompt:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

This explains how to turn the actual user panel off, the one you're trying to get to:

As you're the only one using the pc, follow what is shown, but where it says disable, etc, do the opposite.

eddie

Member Avatar for meagain

Well, if you want, you may be able to access the restore via a command prompt:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

This explains how to turn the actual user panel off, the one you're trying to get to:

As you're the only one using the pc, follow what is shown, but where it says disable, etc, do the opposite.

eddie

Thanks so much for sticking this out with me Eddie. Today ws a very rough day and I didn't even turn this on 'til about an hour ago. Printed this out, will read in A.M. and try to do as you've instructed...
:)

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