asked on

XP Home System Restore Problems

My System Restore service will not start. It comes back with an error message "cannot find the specified file." The error log shows that it actually started and then blew up.

I have tried SFC /scannow and search the MSKB but cannot get System Restore to delete all points and restart from scratch. I can't stop the service since it is not actually started. What can I do?

gemarti

Just to get you started:

Troubleshooting System Restore in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q302/7/96.asp&NoWebContent=1

SUMMARY
This article describes how to perform basic troubleshooting for issues that involve the System Restore tool in Windows XP.

The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Included Links:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=287505
287505 <> How the System Restore utility uses drive letters
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=283073
283073 <> How to disable the System Restore Configuration user interface
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=295050
295050 <> Information on System Restore and password restoration
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=283252
283252 <> Non-administrator user is unable to start System Restore utility
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=322246
322246 <> You cannot create a restore point with a HighPoint Driver installed
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=299904
299904 <> The System Restore utility may be suspended on a System Drive even though there is enough disk space
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=300044
300044 <> How the System Restore tool handles hard-disk space usage
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=301224
301224 <> System Restore "Restore Points" are missing or deleted
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=304449
304449 <> How to start the System Restore tool from a command prompt in Windows XP

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

SheharyaarSaahil

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gemarti

This is the link you may have to use:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=301224

This if from above.

slink9

ASKER

gemarti,
I have seen all of those articles and they were no help.

Shehar,
I will gve that a shot. Thanks.

gemarti

Now how did I know you were going to say that?

slink9

ASKER

I guess I should have been more specific than "searched the MSKB." No biggee, it's fixed now. I am running a virus scan on that computer and will turn restore back on for my system now that it finally appears to be clean.

gemarti

Yeah your right it isn't a big deal. I wasn't making one of it...something just told me after I pressed submit that I would get a comment like that.

slink9

ASKER

I have never had spyware or a virus like this. I was up until 4 am with no fix and finally after a few hours today it was clean. That was on my system. On my kids' computer I thought the system had been cleaned but forgot to turn off System Restore. Then came those problems and this solution. Maybe it will show as beng clean now.
Next I guess it would be a good idea to run Bitdefender on my wife's system. The good thing about it is Win98 and no System Restore to worry about.