I Have a New Problem Today

Repa
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Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:36 pm Post subject: I have a problem today that wasn't there yesterday. · Quote · Edit · Delete · IP


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The first thing that anyone should try when a problem first appears that wasn't there the day before is to restore their system to an earlier time.

I can't count the times when, in the process of trying to help someone, I've suggested this only to find out that their problem has been going on for weeks or months, and they are only now seeking help for it.

If you make a habit of creating a new restore point each day when your computer is behaving normally, then when something goes wrong, you will know when your last good restore point was created. Restoring your system to an earlier time when you first notice a new problem will more often than not fix the problem. Just something to keep in mind.
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Sheila
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:49 pm Post subject: · Quote · Edit · Delete · IP


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Good Advise Repa,

I should have done this a long time ago but from now on I'm making a restore point each and every day.

When I shut down or get off the Internet. I delete all my cookies, temporary files, est...(cleaning the cache). Which only takes a few seconds so why not make a restore point when starting up each day. It only takes a few seconds as well.


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novice57
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:35 pm Post subject: · Quote · Edit · Delete · IP


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The "restore" point can be a great tool if one understands it. Most confuse it with "backup", thinking that they are saving data and applications. A restore point is a copy of the registry files that point to the dll's and exe's of your system. If no hardware changes have been made and no apps have been installed, there should be little change in the restore point except for the many errant entries and dead end shortcuts that Windows is famous for creating in the registry. This clutter is why Wiindows developers write registry cleaners and also why wiping the drive and re-installing Windows occasionally does such wonders for your system speed. For one who makes few changes in their system settings and doesn't download pictures or music then a daily restore point will insure that one is available when you need it. If you change the files (add or delete) frequently then you are saving a registry that is becoming less stable each day and forcing the system to throw out one that was less cluttered.

I will set a restore point before making major changes (hardware or apps that write to the core), but will try to delete that point when I know that things are good instead of letting it force out a better one. I don't beleive that there is a time limitation to how long a restore point is good for, but I could be wrong about that and will research it to be sure. I haven't paid the attention that I should to this because I frequently reload Windows anyway and keep backups compulsively.
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novice57
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:33 pm Post subject: · Quote · Edit · Delete · IP


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I was wrong about the maximum age of a restore point. The restore points will only be held for a maximum of 90 days before they are deleted. Making any changes to the configuration of the restore utility will also delete the points that have been saved, as will running low of disk space on the drive that is being monitored.

Windows will also create a restore point automatically when you install hardware or make significant file changes. These will bump off points that you set manually. This is a function of restore in Windows installer. I understand the logic of this system, but Windows isn't logical and I see the possibility of someone not understanding that something is wrong with their system and finding themselves with no good restore point by the time that they think to use it. I will create my own "restore points" by backing up the registry in a pristine state with all of the drivers and applications loaded. This can always be restored in an emergency and will not be as corrupt as a restore point from the day before I find that I need it.

I would still suggest using a minimum number of restore points and only when making system changes that would effect the registry. When using the restore point to "go back", use the oldest point in the system, as it will be less likely to be cluttered up or corrupt. This will eliminate the points made since the original date of the point that you use and will provide a reasonably clean registry that can be used to set another point immediately that will survive for another 90 days. I may experiment on an extra system with restoring a configuration with the intent of setting a restore point on a 90 day cycle. This should cut back on the clutter that is inevitable in Windows' registry.
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Last edited by novice57 on Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:05 pm; edited 1 time in total

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Sheila
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:52 pm Post subject: · Quote · Edit · Delete · IP


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Of course when I decide to make a restore point it's a day late. I maybe worrying to much today. I installed a couple of things yesterday and didn't make a restore point. Then I defragged in safe mode and cleaned drive C I believe first. I'm not thinking to clearly this evening.

This morning when I started up it was a really slow start up. The computer froze. I had to shut down the wrong way and start up again. I rebooted and it seemed alright for a while. This evening I opened my account so I could check my emails. It also opened slowly and froze. I got an error message to check with my ISP if this happened again. I was able to read them after I restarted.

When I booted up again I decided to work on a picture. That froze up and I had to reboot again. I'm thinking I may have installed on of my programs wrong yesterday. I may have to do a restore point but will wait until I see how things are tomorrow when I start up.

I hate to say this but have too, I haven't installed Spy Sweeper as of yet because I wanted to get all my software and hardware installed first.

I will get back tomorrow at sometime to let you know how things are going. If I have a problem I believe it might be with my card reader I installed yesterday. Everything worked just fine before doing this or I'm having a bad computer day. If I had to go by my feelings. I don't think this computer will last much longer. I'm hoping I'm just having a bad feeling day as well.

I'll check back tomorrow and let you all know how things are going.

Have a nice evening,
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novice57
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:08 pm Post subject: · Quote · Edit · Delete · IP


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Sheila

Your system should have created a restore point for you when you installed hardware or an application. Check the restore points to see if one is available to use. See the post above yours. I was editing it when you posted.
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Sheila
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:15 pm Post subject: · Quote · Edit · Delete · IP


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Keith,

Thanks that may help me knowing this. My mind is tired tonight and to explain would be useless. If I can do this restore to that point that will help me.

If things are not working better tomorrow. I will try and explain what my mind can't tonight. That did make me feel better after you explained especially when installing a piece of hardware...

Have a nice evening...and thank you,
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Repa
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Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:47 am Post subject: · Quote · Edit · Delete · IP


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If you leave your system on all day, more than likely it will set a system restore point for you. When you set a manual restore point, or the system sets a daily restore point, you can restore to the time the point is set.

When you do a successful install of hardware or software, sometimes your previous restore points get wiped out, and sometimes they don't. I admit that I don't understand why this is, but I have observed it happen both ways. I've also seen it happen after a Windows Update both ways.

The thing about not having a restore point set after something like a windows update or a software or hardware install is that if your system is good after that, and you don't have future restore points, and then something does go wrong, if you restore back to the point of that last installation, it restores to a time just before that install, not after the install. So whatever you installed will not be preserved in the registry that you restore to. However, if you have saved documents or files, those are preserved and will be accessible when you restore to a time before they were saved on your system.

Keith is right in his assessment of keeping restore points to a minimum for the reason stated, i.e., if you make a lot of changes, your registry tends to become more cluttered and perhaps unstable, and you want a good restore point with the least cluttered and most stable registry you can get. But, if you are not in the habit of doing frequent backups like he does, you may have to recreate a number of installs or updates to get everything back to where you were just before your problem started.

My reasoning for creating your own restore points or keeping your system on long enough for the system to do it for you is that you at least have a point to return to where things where working normally, and without having to think about all the installs and updates you did before that happened that you will have to do over again. If you return to a restore point several days back, and you have updated your scanners, or installed applications, or deleted applications in the interim, then you will have to do that all over again, and if you're like me, you might not remember what you did!

My suggestion about creating a restore point each day is really for the more casual user who may not know what to do when they do have a problem. This often provides a quick and easy solution without complicating the situation with other things that may need to be done to fully recover if a restore point close to the time of the occurrance of a problem is not available. This assumes, of course, that when a problem does occur, it is recognized and acted upon right away.

Sheila, in your case, you need to go back to one of the earliest restore points you can find after you got your computer back, when things were working normally, and before you started installing things, and start over from there. If you can, uninstall whatever you installed since that restore point and delete the files before going back to that old restore point. Then, get your router, security software and anti-spyware/anti-malware scanners working before installing other applications, and stay off the internet until you have that done.
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novice57
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Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:10 am Post subject: · Quote · Edit · Delete · IP


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I guess that I assumed that M$ would write a utility to actually accomplish it's goal. Once again I learned the lesson about assuming. I think that this would make an interesting project and we may look into it when I have a little less on my plate. A good restore point utility with some sensible options wouldn't be that hard for the largest software thief in the world. Perhaps we can make one that they will steal at the right price.
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Sheila
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:52 am Post subject: · Quote · Edit · Delete · IP


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Thank You Guys, Very Much...

I have one thing that is troubling me. I might be wrong and hope I am.

I only come here as far as the Internet so I'm not surfing anywhere else for now.

I'll keep you informed. I should know more tomorrow or the next day to be sure.

Many Thanks,
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