System restore and backups

Beckipeg

I've searched the forums but can't find how to get my system restore to work - I've got Win xp on a fairly new HP pc. When it was new and shiney I could use system restore to go back a few days if necessary, now I keep getting error message - incomplete, unable to system restore. I've followed all the advice on the MS website - the sytem restore is active, restore points are there, I'm using the administrator login but no joy.

Every morning the pc says it is backing up something and chugs away, but what is it doing? If I wanted to use a backup where would it be? I thought backups went onto disks you could remove? I still can't find out what steps to follow to do this although the screen came up automatically when the pc was new.

Sorry if this has been posted before, but I'm going cross eyed trying to find out what applies in my case.

Thanks.

startrekker

Try to run the system restore in safe mode, as far as the back up happening when you first boot the pc try control,alt,delete to get into task manager to see whats running

clint1974

What HP Model is it? You could try safe mode hit F8 key on start up. Or try restoring back further?

mentat_2

Did a quick search on the web and founf these which may be helpful:

http://bertk.mvps.org/html/body_error.html#ErrorRestorationIncomplete

http://bertk.mvps.org/html/body_healthy.html

Sorry I can't supply anything more helpful.

Good luck.

Beckipeg

Thanks for these replies - I've got Norton 2006 running and it looks as if there could be a conflict there. Really appreciate your time to help.
Will get busy!

startrekker

It looks like it could be Norton, notorious for clogging up when starting. This is more than likely what is chugging away at the start..

MrsTinks

Repeated restores with any AV software installed can cause problems I'm afraid... this is because some of the files for the AV software is stored deep inside the back end of windows. Restoring your system can delete updated files in these areas and cause your AV software to have issues. It can also start interfering with other files if this happens meaning you can get file corruption and be unable to do restores amongst other things.

I would advice if you have to do restores then make sure you can easily uninstall and re-install your AV software. Keep your CD and install details to hand just in case

T

oldagetraveller

Same problem with my Norton 2006.
Try this if you want to restore your system.
http://symantec.atgnow.com/consumer/resultDisplay.do?gotoLink=2164&docType=1000&contextId=8920%3A2164.2196&clusterName=ConsumerCluster&contentId=038afe1c-ffb1-4fef-8274-1cfd330b7bd0&responseId=9726c2c77dcb4da6%3A1b1fbf4%3A10ea7db5a43%3A-5525&groupId=6&answerGroup=1&score=1315&page=http%3A%2F%2Fservice1.symantec.com%2Fsupport%2Fsharedtech.nsf%2Fpfdocs%2F2005113009323013&result=0&excerpt=Your+computer+cannot+be+restored&resultType=5000#
I had to contact Symantec about this and their solution worked.