Lost 'restore' points XP Home

Following an aborted download the computer has started to go haywire...reporting serious errors, doing automatic chkdsk, going very slowly, trying to open Roxio automatically (that was not the aborted d/l by the way) and generally not being at all friendly.

Have tried to uninstall Roxio but some elements will not respond; so tried to revert to an earlier point only to find that no restore point has been created since July17th, until that point it was doing so virtually daily when Windows defender was updating. No point exists after that date, visually that is, but XP will not revert to July 17th, as though it has been superceded by further points that do not appear!

Is there a way, do you know, of querying the existence of restore points or have I to assume that the aborted d/l has deleted them?

Is there a way of reactivating a restore point (eg 17 July) even though it may no longer be in the queue?

I have since tried to reinstall Roxio but it is not recognised. The d/l by the way was the free version, suggested in the last microsoft letter, of Sudoqu.

This problem exists on my wifes computer and I am being blamed for all the inability to rectify the problem, so, you married fellows will know what I mean when I say H E L P.

Thanks in advance

G

System Restore resides in an ultra hidden folder named: System Volume Information

If you want to look at it here is how: How to gain access to the System Volume Information folder

I am not aware of anything you can do here but view the contents. You can restart System Restore (which will clear all previous points) via right clicking My Computer then clicking Properties then System Restore. Turn it off and then back on. This should start the service from scratch.

That being said is your wife's account the only account on the computer? If you have another account is it also corrupted?

One thing you can do is access the Main Administrator Account in Safe Mode and from there create a new account for your wife and then transfer her old settings as seen here:

How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile

To boot into Safe Mode options:

After the power-on and BIOS POST or your Logo screen repeatedly tap the F8 key or hold the Ctrl key before Windows starts.

Choose Safe Mode from the options list. If you get the Welcome Screen rather than a Logon box press Ctrl-Alt-Delete twice in succession holding Ctrl then Alt then Delete.

This should bring up the logon box. Type Administrator. If you have not set a password then just press Enter. This account should be uncorrupted.

As a worse case scenario you can run a Repair Install of XP. With a Microsoft XP CD this is how:
How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP

If XP was pre-installed (OEM) then you need to follow the manufacturer's instructions for a non-destructive recovery.

Hello jephree

What an excellent response, really makes sense to create a new user. Some doubt as the nature of which files to transfer but I'll mull this over until the week-end.

I have some trepidation about getting the email etc detail across, having really boxed this up myself on a previous occasion, but the Knowledge Base article might, just, be within my grasp, again a period of concentrated thought may serve.

Very grateful to you.

Thanks

G
I will report progress...or lack of!

In an idle, but thoughtful, mode, I got to wondering if, whatever is the cause of the problem, is now part of the operating system. This would mean, if I am right, that creating a new account would merely be sourced on the existing system so that the problem would perpetuate.

Perhaps I'm just looking for problems?

G

There are many variables here. If some download was responsible it depends if it was downloaded only to a particular user or All Users (just for example).

If there was only one account outside the Built-in Administrator then I'd be curious to see if that Built-in (Safe Mode) account functioned OK or appears corrupted as well.

The Repair Install should leave all files and settings intact if you choose that route.

You can also try to manually remove Roxio and or Sudoqu if you think that is the source of your problems.


On another tack you might want to post a HijackThis log for review by our Pros in that section:

Please follow the instructions HERE & then post your log in a new thread in the Spyware, Adware, Viruses and HijackThis Logs section.

(Not in this section please).

Please specify what issues you appear to be experiencing along with your log.

Hello Jephree

Wow. I need a day or two just to assimilate your guidance.

It is very kind of you to enlarge on this the way you have.

Thanks again, I'll let you know what happens.

Regards

G

Hello Jephree

I've studied the references, particularly the KB articles, you supplied, and have to declare that the demands involved are somewhat beyond my amateur level.

However, what I am planning to do initially is use RegSeeker as a starter, creating a restore point in said computer (XP Home, Desktop) and ensuring a backup in RegSeeker. (I've tested this on my XP Pro, Laptop and recognise it to be quite efficient...for what I know!)

I glean that to install SP 2 (again...from disk), plus subsequent updates...again, could sort out some malfunctions, unless I have completely misinterpreted the KB item concerned.

I will also attempt, again, to delete the remnants of sudoku and roxio in the way you have suggested.

The desktop came OEM supplied and I am aware now of the danger of lost data if a repair is attempted carelessly.

At my age I find this all very exciting...but rather daunting, so please be patient with me!

Just one final point, I have noted that Microsoft are ready to declare that some 'errors' can be caused by weaknesses in their own software. Oh joy, oh rapture!

Regards

G

What is the make and model of the computer?

The manufacturer might have some specific ideas as to trouble shooting and repairing.

Most MSKB articles refer to Microsoft XP CD's. If you have an OEM disk these instructions may vary as the manufacturer customizes XP to its' own ends.

Hello Jephree

Thanks for follow-up.

I have located the Roxio folder and deleted that; the Sudoku, of course, was terminated during d/l so I don't know where that stuff has gone.

I have found the literature for the desktop and the salient information is
Hi-Grade 'Experian' (circa June 2003), P4 2.4GHz 533Bus 512K, Skt 478,
512MB DDR RAM 333MHz

I did approach them some three weeks ago but, as on a previous occasion 18 months ago, they were disinterested, almost overtly so. Hence the posting to you.

I find there is reference to a 'non-destructive System Revovery' via the disk which we hold, so, if push comes to shove I suppose we could go that way. The problem here would be that with Roxio seeming to be part of the trouble (and now deleted) I cannot do a backup of data that is considered important.

I guess this points to the slowly, slowly approach of para's 2 and 3 in my last to you; unless, of course, it is your opinion that 'non-destructive System Revovery' is as safe as the very words imply. To say I'm dubious would be an understatement.

Regards

G

A non-destructive OEM recovery is generally the equivalent of a Microsoft XP Repair Install as seen here:

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP

A perhaps more detailed guide here:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

In general this will leave you data and programs intact although backing up is always suggested.

Do you not have a CD RW drive? Then you could write any critical data to CD's.