system restore outside windows?

[matt_richards]

Hi there,

I am having a problem with system restore so I need to run it from outside windows - I am sure there is a way to do this, can anyone advise me?

TIA

Matt.

[morriswindgate]

Have you tried starting in safe mode?

[mike breck]

Hi matt_richards,

Bootup the PC.
After the memory count, press F8.
In the Windows Advanced Options Menu, highlight Safe Mode and press Enter.
If another menu appears asking which operating system you wish to start, highlight Windows XP (Home or Professional, depending on which version you have installed) and press Enter.
When a box comes up stating you are running in Safe Mode, click "No" to use System Restore.
In the System Restore window, select "Restore My Computer To An Earlier Time" and click Next.
In the Select A Restore Point page, click a recent bold date in the calender when you think the system was working.
On the same page, click a Restore point in the list and click Next.
System Restore will warn you to close programs and files.
Click Next.
System Restore will then Restore system files from the backup and will restart the PC.
It will then show a message saying the Restore was completed.

HTH

[matt_richards]

Thanks very much guys,

I think that will do it.

[matt_richards]

Looks like I spoke to soon (I am having to explain all this over the phone, so I can't check it directly),

System restore is not launching properly - it just brings up a blank page. I have a feeling it is linked to some other script errors he is getting elsewhere. If I could find another way into system restore I might be able to sort it.

I have tried launching system restore from a diagnostic startup and from safe mode, but the same thing happens. Is there another way in that bypasses the normal system restore interface, because I think that's where the problem resides.

TIA,

Matt.

[morriswindgate]

Is this Windows ME? Because if it is then it had a problem that there is a patch available for. I always felt that this problem had to do with Virtual Machine.
If it is XP then you can basically restore the system when you start with F8 as it give you the ability to start with the last known good configuration.
If it is ME then this ends up pretty much a FORMAT and reinstall as reloading windows will not correct it.

[matt_richards]

I am running XP - but I was a bit uncertain about the last known good configuration option. Is it possible to specify by date exactly which configuration you are reverting to. Also does it preserve all the data the same as system restore?

Cheers.

[morriswindgate]

System restore doe not remove data it will only effect programs that have been installed. SO if you downloaded a file it will still be there.

[matt_richards]

nice one - and can you specify by exact date with last known good configuration?

[morriswindgate]

NOt real sure as I have never had to use it, so basically you'll just have to see what happens. I use programs like drive image that basically do a full Image of your hard drive. So if I run into problems I just reload the image.
System restore is pretty limited as to what it can do.

[matt_richards]

I understand mate - I image my drive too. As it's someone else's machine my options are more limited.

Thanks for the assistance,

Matt.

[mike breck]

nice one - and can you specify by exact date with last known good configuration?

No.

Last Known Good uses information that is saved from the last time you shut down your computer to restore registry settings and drivers. So that implies one saved setting.

It rolls back the Reg settings and drivers to this point, but it will not fix problems that are caused by missing or corrupted drivers or files that existed prior to information being saved.

That's what System Restore is for.

I think your next best bet, if the user can hack it, is trying a Repair (overlay) installation of XP from the XP CD-Rom.

Go into the BIOS and set the boot sequence to CD-Rom first.

Boot up with the XP CD in the CD-Rom.

When the "Press any key to boot from CD" then press any key.

When the setup up screen appears you will be asked to Setup or Repair - choose Setup.

Press F8 to agree to the license agreement

Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair

You may have to Reactivate XP after this.

HTH

[matt_richards]

Thanks for that,

I agree about the repair, just means I'll have to pay him a visit.

I'll post back if that doesn't sort it.

Matt.