Windows7 backup failed - event viewer showing 45,000 errors .. help!

AndersonButler

OK so I've spoken to Dell. They have run a diagnostic and they say everything is fine - it's not a hardware issue so it's not covered by their warranty - so I'm stuffed.

As it's a software problem, it appears some files are missing and/or are corrupt, they will be able to fix it but at a cost.

I've only had it 5 months, can they wash their hands of it?

Can anyone help me?

Windows Backup doesn't work (VSS DMI errors)
Action center said firewall was not on when it was
Same for virus protection
Now getting other errors such as user profile error (or something)
Google Earth disappeared (Icon and Program listingi but was still on the computer
Administrative events is showing 44,500 errors and warnings.
WMI seems to be corrupt

EDIT: Now Action Center is telling me WIndows Defender is off, but it's on. Clicking "Turn on WIndows Defender" just takes me to System32 folder.
EDIT 2: Is it worth attempting a PC Restore. Apparently this would restore to the factory image.

DodgyLurgy

AndersonButler wrote: »

Windows Backup doesn't work (VSS DMI errors)
Action center said firewall was not on when it was
Same for virus protection
Now getting other errors such as user profile error (or something)
Google Earth disappeared (Icon and Program listingi but was still on the computer
Administrative events is showing 44,500 errors and warnings.

EDIT: Now Action Center is telling me WIndows Defender is off, but it's on. Clicking "Turn on WIndows Defender" just takes me to System32 folder.

It's possible that the registry is corrupt, certainly sounds like it. Unfortunately the easiest way of solving it to reinstall Windows.

You say you have CCleaner installed, have you run it at any time as it could have altered or deleted registry entries.

EDIT - Before attempting a factory restore it's advisable to backup anything you wish to keep as it will probably be lost.

AndersonButler

Hi Dodgy,

Yes I did run ccleaner recently, should I try to restore the registry from the ccleaner back up?

I don't want to make matters worse.......

DodgyLurgy

It probably won't make things any worse but I can't say for certain so that is a decision that only you can make, there is also the 'factory restore' option as a last resort.

Did the problems start appearing straight after running ccleaner?

AndersonButler

Yes I guess they did. Although looking back in the events viewer seemed to show lots of errors before this. Things were backing up OK.Now they are not. Problems were occuring before 23rd.

The last ccleaner back up is dated 23/10. Should I run it from that? - the next one is 12/9. Just concerned at having done a system restore everything will get muddled up and nothing will work.

DodgyLurgy

The event viewer will always have a few errors and warnings even on a PC that's running fine.

If you can't get to a good restore point from within windows try the method here (unable to access desktop method) - http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=362029

If that doesn't work then it looks like a reinstall of Windows is in order :-(

Before doing anything though, backup any data you want to keep (copy to an external drive or burn it to cd/dvd) and make sure you have the Dell restore discs handy.

It's certainly possible that restoring from the ccleaner backup could mess the registry up completely.

AndersonButler

Already have my files etc backed up on an external hard drive, but am also burning them onto DVD's for good measure.

Now the next problem, I haven't got any restore discs.

EDIT: I have a reinstallation DVD from Dell containing Windows 7, is that OK?

DodgyLurgy

AndersonButler wrote: »

EDIT: I have a reinstallation DVD from Dell containing Windows 7, is that OK?

Sounds like it, yes.

Try this, direct from the XPS 7100 user manual

Performing Dell Factory Image Restore
1. Turn on the computer.
2. When the DELL. ™ logo appears, press <F8> several times to access the Advanced Boot Options Window. NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop; then, shut down your computer and try again.
3. Select Repair Your Computer. The System Recovery Options window appears.
4. Select a keyboard layout and click Next.
5. To access the recovery options, log on as a local user. To access the command prompt, type administrator in the User name field, then click OK.
6. Click Dell Factory Image Restore. The Dell Factory Image Restore welcome screen appears. NOTE: Depending upon your configuration, you may need to select Dell Factory Tools, then Dell Factory Image Restore.
7. Click Next. The Confirm Data Deletion screen appears. NOTE: If you do not want to proceed with Factory Image Restore, click Cancel.
8. Click the check box to confirm that you want to continue reformatting the hard drive and restoring the system software to the factory condition, then click Next.
The restore process begins and may take five or more minutes to complete. A message appears when the operating system and factory-installed applications have been restored to factory condition.
9. Click Finish to restart the computer.

Manual is here - http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/Studio7100/en/sg/sg_en.pdf

AndersonButler

...........that looks scary!!

DodgyLurgy

lol, yeah but it will restore your computer to the state it left the factory in, with a working OS. if you don't feel confident enough to do it see if someone else can have a look for you.

EDIT - Have a read through the manual, it gives a number of options for restoring windows to your system