System Restore Points

I've used a commercial product for some years and the version I have will 'image' XP, Vista 32/64, Windows 7 32/64 while running without a problem. Restore is via a Linux based boot CD and has never failed me. Of course I get the 'Windows did not shutdown correctly' message when rebooting but I just continue and it's never caused a problem.

If I wanted an image while shutdown solution I'd probably go for something Linux based. There are a few issues relating to drivers and mounting destination volumes, but there are loads of how-to article on-line.

I would like to be able to recommend Reflect, but the restore CD it creates cannot deal with system drives that are RAID based. This means you have to create a Windows Universal Boot CD with the appropriate drivers, which is a real pain.

I have System Restore enabled on all my Windows based machines. It has saved me on a number of occasions. You can tweak the System Restore parameters so that it retains things for a shorter time and/or uses less disk space. Microsoft claim this isn't possible under 32 bit Vista/Windows 7 or 64 bit versions of their OSes. This isn't the case. The parameters have moved in the Registry post XP, but they still have the same names and are interpreted in the same way.

[peter]

You know a LOT more than I do about this, but many user's have reported problems with ordinary Windows XP Restore. SOmetimes, and I've seen references to this on MSDN & TechNet, it seems that it can't build a "complete chain" from first restore point to last. Also, simply changing the disk space allocation can make it fail, simply because it may corrupt the data in one of the Restore points.
Personally, I advise making infrequent complete (rather than incremental) Restore backups & that only experts should try to tweak. I don't really disagree with your advice (what do I know?) but I just wonder if you should sometimes bend it a little towards "safety for the average user".

[Beev]

Well, I have been using Macrium Reflect as my main system backup, and it works fine. I run it once a week while Windows Vista is still running, and it has never crashed or thrown up any errors. I just close all main applications, and about 15 minutes later the image is complete, I then verify the image to ensure that nothing has gone wrong.

I just started using Titan Backup as a method of backing up Firefox settings, as it is easier and faster than always browsing to the firefox folder in my user account folder then manually copying the folder over to a flash drive.

I always put spreadsheet files, word documents etc on a memory stick anyway. I have always recommended not to save any data unless necessary on the system partition, or on the same drive as the partition for that matter, it doesnt matter how many partitions you have, if the drive goes, all partitions go with it.

I have my system restore function active but have optimised so the hard disc space allocated is only 500MB, this only allows for about 3 restore points at the most. This all I need as the image I make of the System Partition is never more then a week old. So system restore is not a problem for me. I only really use it to try out stuff, so I can revert the system back to its normal state if need be. For example, if I fancy trying a new application based on reviews here, I simply set up a restore point, install the app, try it out, if it is not to my liking, then get rid simply by running the restore point!

I have noticed that alot of people I know seem to use system restore as some type of safety net, which in a way it is. It is useful for when you suddenly get an error, and need to get your system back in a useable state. It can save you from a few problems, but it is not the most reliable solution.

There are quite a few good alternatives to system restore, but sadly, I am yet to see any freeware alternatives to system restore, so its just best to make sure everything is backed up as often as possible. Use a backup program scheduled to backup all important data on a nightly basis.

Yours,
Beev

[kendall]

In general, I agree that System Restore isn't the best option, but it is one option and it has saved me on more than one occasion. Backups of your important files/documents is critical as is an image backup of your disk.

There are quite a few good alternatives to system restore, but sadly, I am yet to see any freeware alternatives to system restore, so its just best to make sure everything is backed up as often as possible. Use a backup program scheduled to backup all important data on a nightly basis.

As I've mentioned in the past, one good free alternative to System Restore is ERUNT. I've had a couple occasions where System Restore didn't work but ERUNT did. I highly recommend it.

[peter]

Kendall's quiet insistence is why Erunt is this site's normal recommendation.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/how_...s_registry.htm

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...ry-cleaner.htm

[Jillian]

Originally Posted by kendall

In general, I agree that System Restore isn't the best option, but it is one option and it has saved me on more than one occasion. Backups of your important files/documents is critical as is an image backup of your disk.



As I've mentioned in the past, one good free alternative to System Restore is ERUNT. I've had a couple occasions where System Restore didn't work but ERUNT did. I highly recommend it.

I have Vista 64 Bit. What is a good one for this ? ERUNT is for Windows XP isn't it ?

[Sope]

Originally Posted by Jillian

I have Vista 64 Bit. What is a good one for this ? ERUNT is for Windows XP isn't it ?

Looks like you should be ok with ERUNT - ERUNT FAQ

[aqua]

i've never did a bacup.eveytime i have problem with windows i do a fresh reinstal.
about sytem reinstall only once i had a problem...but what i do is everutime antivirus find a problem and fix that problem i empty system restore,beciuse these nasties make a copy too in system restore.
-i read about too some programs to backup and restore..
my question is if before backing up -can i wipe out that partition with a program like killdisk,wipedrive,,and then reinstall the image.IMAGE store in dvd or usb flash.

As part of the free Windows Software Development Kit developers get a huge amount of information not only on the 'look and feel' of applications, but also installation practices required for an application to be Microsoft certified.

On versions of Windows that support System Restore, installations that change system or shared registry settings are required to create a restore point first. Despite the fact that you can write a five line VB script to create a restore point, complete with description, many installation routines don't bother. This can result in an dreadful mess if you need to roll back, Given this, if I'm in any doubt I use my small VB script to create my own restore point.

I'm not suggesting system restore as a panacea. I also image my disks regularly and carry out daily backups. If I have a recent restore point it's available as an option.

The point about viruses and malware being stored in restore points is a good one and well worth bearing in mind if you roll back and still have a problem.

Rik - Editor Best Free Windows 7 / Vista 64 bit Software

[Jillian]

Thanks Sope. I will try it.