The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the problem
began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to solve the
restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to Vista when it is
available. I do, however, want to have a backup ability in the interim and
want to use the backup utility from Windows which is I have downloaded. My
uncertainty is what files and/or folders should I backup to achieve the same
effect of a system restore point. I do not wish to backup my entire
harddisk, only that which would be needed to return (i.e. restore) to an
earlier time.

N. Schwartz

Hi Norman,

Before you give up on System Restore, try disabling then enabling it.

How to Disable and Enable System Restore:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/disablesr.html

Then test System Restore.
Tips Fixes & FAQs - How can I test System Restore’s functionality?
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/tips.html

As far as backing up the OS, third party imaging software is the best way to go.
But if you are going to upgrade to Vista, there a utility built-in to do this.

ERUNT: The Emergency Recovery Utility NT - Registry Backup and Restore for
Windows NT/2000/2003/XP is an excellent free tool for backing up the Windows
registry. This may be enough to hold you over until Vista is available in late
January.
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

--
Regards,
Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
http://bertk.mvps.org
Member: http://dts-l.org

"Norman Schwartz" wrote
> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the problem
> began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to solve the restore
> problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to Vista when it is available. I
> do, however, want to have a backup ability in the interim and want to use the
> backup utility from Windows which is I have downloaded. My uncertainty is what
> files and/or folders should I backup to achieve the same effect of a system
> restore point. I do not wish to backup my entire harddisk, only that which
> would be needed to return (i.e. restore) to an earlier time.
>
> N. Schwartz

Hi Norman,

Before you give up on System Restore, try disabling then enabling it.

How to Disable and Enable System Restore:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/disablesr.html

Then test System Restore.
Tips Fixes & FAQs - How can I test System Restore’s functionality?
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/tips.html

As far as backing up the OS, third party imaging software is the best way to go.
But if you are going to upgrade to Vista, there a utility built-in to do this.

ERUNT: The Emergency Recovery Utility NT - Registry Backup and Restore for
Windows NT/2000/2003/XP is an excellent free tool for backing up the Windows
registry. This may be enough to hold you over until Vista is available in late
January.
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

--
Regards,
Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
http://bertk.mvps.org
Member: http://dts-l.org

"Norman Schwartz" wrote
> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the problem
> began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to solve the restore
> problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to Vista when it is available. I
> do, however, want to have a backup ability in the interim and want to use the
> backup utility from Windows which is I have downloaded. My uncertainty is what
> files and/or folders should I backup to achieve the same effect of a system
> restore point. I do not wish to backup my entire harddisk, only that which
> would be needed to return (i.e. restore) to an earlier time.
>
> N. Schwartz

In news:K_ydnQ0mjsxf-PnYnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@adelphia.com,
Norman Schwartz <nospam@roadrunner.com> typed:
> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the
> problem began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to
> solve the restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to
> Vista when it is available. I do, however, want to have a backup
> ability in the interim and want to use the backup utility from
> Windows which is I have downloaded. My uncertainty is what files
> and/or folders should I backup to achieve the same effect of a system
> restore point. I do not wish to backup my entire harddisk, only that
> which would be needed to return (i.e. restore) to an earlier time.
>
> N. Schwartz

For a regular file-system backup, you would indeed need to back up your
entire system partition & system state.
I think you might want to look into imaging software, rather than a backup
utility for this....check out Acronis.

In news:K_ydnQ0mjsxf-PnYnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@adelphia.com,
Norman Schwartz <nospam@roadrunner.com> typed:
> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the
> problem began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to
> solve the restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to
> Vista when it is available. I do, however, want to have a backup
> ability in the interim and want to use the backup utility from
> Windows which is I have downloaded. My uncertainty is what files
> and/or folders should I backup to achieve the same effect of a system
> restore point. I do not wish to backup my entire harddisk, only that
> which would be needed to return (i.e. restore) to an earlier time.
>
> N. Schwartz

For a regular file-system backup, you would indeed need to back up your
entire system partition & system state.
I think you might want to look into imaging software, rather than a backup
utility for this....check out Acronis.

Norman Schwartz wrote:
> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the problem
> began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to solve the
> restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to Vista when it is
> available. I do, however, want to have a backup ability in the interim and
> want to use the backup utility from Windows which is I have downloaded. My
> uncertainty is what files and/or folders should I backup to achieve the same
> effect of a system restore point. I do not wish to backup my entire
> harddisk, only that which would be needed to return (i.e. restore) to an
> earlier time.
>
> N. Schwartz
>
>

the answer is simple - System restore does NOT and I repeat NOT restore
any user-generated files. i.e. documents, email store, favourites.

Norman Schwartz wrote:
> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the problem
> began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to solve the
> restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to Vista when it is
> available. I do, however, want to have a backup ability in the interim and
> want to use the backup utility from Windows which is I have downloaded. My
> uncertainty is what files and/or folders should I backup to achieve the same
> effect of a system restore point. I do not wish to backup my entire
> harddisk, only that which would be needed to return (i.e. restore) to an
> earlier time.
>
> N. Schwartz
>
>

the answer is simple - System restore does NOT and I repeat NOT restore
any user-generated files. i.e. documents, email store, favourites.

Use NTBACKUP (Preinstalled on WinXP Pro).
1.Run it by Start - Run - Type ntbackup.exe
2. If the wizard opens, Ok. If not start it by Clicking the "Backup Wizard"
button.
3. Click Next
4. Choose "Only backup the System State"
5. Choose a location by clicking Browse
6. Click Next > Finish

??? What is System State ???
- Click Start > RUn
- Type the following line :
hh ms-its:C:\WINDOWS\Help\ntbackup.chm::/ntbackup_system_state.htm
- Click OK



--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
-------------
Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/
-------------


Replid to [Norman Schwartz]s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------
> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the
> problem began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to
> solve the restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to
> Vista when it is available. I do, however, want to have a backup
> ability in the interim and want to use the backup utility from
> Windows which is I have downloaded. My uncertainty is what files
> and/or folders should I backup to achieve the same effect of a system
> restore point. I do not wish to backup my entire harddisk, only that
> which would be needed to return (i.e. restore) to an earlier time.
>
> N. Schwartz

Use NTBACKUP (Preinstalled on WinXP Pro).
1.Run it by Start - Run - Type ntbackup.exe
2. If the wizard opens, Ok. If not start it by Clicking the "Backup Wizard"
button.
3. Click Next
4. Choose "Only backup the System State"
5. Choose a location by clicking Browse
6. Click Next > Finish

??? What is System State ???
- Click Start > RUn
- Type the following line :
hh ms-its:C:\WINDOWS\Help\ntbackup.chm::/ntbackup_system_state.htm
- Click OK



--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
-------------
Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/
-------------


Replid to [Norman Schwartz]s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------
> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the
> problem began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to
> solve the restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to
> Vista when it is available. I do, however, want to have a backup
> ability in the interim and want to use the backup utility from
> Windows which is I have downloaded. My uncertainty is what files
> and/or folders should I backup to achieve the same effect of a system
> restore point. I do not wish to backup my entire harddisk, only that
> which would be needed to return (i.e. restore) to an earlier time.
>
> N. Schwartz

"Norman Schwartz" wrote

> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the problem
> began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to solve the
> restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to Vista when it is
> available. I do, however, want to have a backup ability in the interim and
> want to use the backup utility from Windows which is I have downloaded. My
> uncertainty is what files and/or folders should I backup to achieve the
> same effect of a system restore point. I do not wish to backup my entire
> harddisk, only that which would be needed to return (i.e. restore) to an
> earlier time.

You have a misunderstanding of what system restore does. It does not backup
user generated files. It backs up the registry, and certain monitored
system files on the drives you specify. It is not a backup program and
cannot be substituted for one. It's main purpose is to recover from a
botched software or driver install. SR has it's place but it is not a
backup program.

"Norman Schwartz" wrote

> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the problem
> began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to solve the
> restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to Vista when it is
> available. I do, however, want to have a backup ability in the interim and
> want to use the backup utility from Windows which is I have downloaded. My
> uncertainty is what files and/or folders should I backup to achieve the
> same effect of a system restore point. I do not wish to backup my entire
> harddisk, only that which would be needed to return (i.e. restore) to an
> earlier time.

You have a misunderstanding of what system restore does. It does not backup
user generated files. It backs up the registry, and certain monitored
system files on the drives you specify. It is not a backup program and
cannot be substituted for one. It's main purpose is to recover from a
botched software or driver install. SR has it's place but it is not a
backup program.

I understand this. Perhaps my question was not artfully put. Can I backup
(rather than restore) specific systems files (including but perhaps not
limited to the registry) that will permit a return to a former condition
using the backup application? If so, what files are required?

N. Schwartz

"Rock" <rock@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:uFznKGoDHHA.4404@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> "Norman Schwartz" wrote
>
>> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
>> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the problem
>> began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to solve the
>> restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to Vista when it is
>> available. I do, however, want to have a backup ability in the interim
>> and want to use the backup utility from Windows which is I have
>> downloaded. My uncertainty is what files and/or folders should I backup
>> to achieve the same effect of a system restore point. I do not wish to
>> backup my entire harddisk, only that which would be needed to return
>> (i.e. restore) to an earlier time.
>
> You have a misunderstanding of what system restore does. It does not
> backup user generated files. It backs up the registry, and certain
> monitored system files on the drives you specify. It is not a backup
> program and cannot be substituted for one. It's main purpose is to
> recover from a botched software or driver install. SR has it's place but
> it is not a backup program.

I understand this. Perhaps my question was not artfully put. Can I backup
(rather than restore) specific systems files (including but perhaps not
limited to the registry) that will permit a return to a former condition
using the backup application? If so, what files are required?

N. Schwartz

"Rock" <rock@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:uFznKGoDHHA.4404@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> "Norman Schwartz" wrote
>
>> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
>> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the problem
>> began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to solve the
>> restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to Vista when it is
>> available. I do, however, want to have a backup ability in the interim
>> and want to use the backup utility from Windows which is I have
>> downloaded. My uncertainty is what files and/or folders should I backup
>> to achieve the same effect of a system restore point. I do not wish to
>> backup my entire harddisk, only that which would be needed to return
>> (i.e. restore) to an earlier time.
>
> You have a misunderstanding of what system restore does. It does not
> backup user generated files. It backs up the registry, and certain
> monitored system files on the drives you specify. It is not a backup
> program and cannot be substituted for one. It's main purpose is to
> recover from a botched software or driver install. SR has it's place but
> it is not a backup program.

"Norman Schwartz" <nospam@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:J8-dnUmuENcmSvnYnZ2dnUVZ_uSdnZ2d@adelphia.com...
>I understand this. Perhaps my question was not artfully put. Can I backup
>(rather than restore) specific systems files (including but perhaps not
>limited to the registry) that will permit a return to a former condition
>using the backup application? If so, what files are required?
>
> N. Schwartz
>
> "Rock" <rock@nospam.net> wrote in message
> news:uFznKGoDHHA.4404@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> "Norman Schwartz" wrote
>>
>>> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
>>> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the
>>> problem began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to
>>> solve the restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to Vista
>>> when it is available. I do, however, want to have a backup ability in
>>> the interim and want to use the backup utility from Windows which is I
>>> have downloaded. My uncertainty is what files and/or folders should I
>>> backup to achieve the same effect of a system restore point. I do not
>>> wish to backup my entire harddisk, only that which would be needed to
>>> return (i.e. restore) to an earlier time.
>>
>> You have a misunderstanding of what system restore does. It does not
>> backup user generated files. It backs up the registry, and certain
>> monitored system files on the drives you specify. It is not a backup
>> program and cannot be substituted for one. It's main purpose is to
>> recover from a botched software or driver install. SR has it's place but
>> it is not a backup program.


The best option is to use a disk imaging or cloning program such as Acronis
True Image, Norton Ghost or Terabyte Unlimited's Image for Windows. There
are some good traditional backup programs available too. I don't use them
so I can't recommend any.

For backing up the registry I recommend ERUNT. It can be set to run
automatically as a scheduled task to backup the registry daily. If
something hoses the registry it can be restored from the recovery console -
accessed by booting the XP installation CD.

ERUNT
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-on...runt/erunt.txt

Installing and Using ERUNT
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_eruntuse.html
http://www.winxptutor.com/regback.htm

"Norman Schwartz" <nospam@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:J8-dnUmuENcmSvnYnZ2dnUVZ_uSdnZ2d@adelphia.com...
>I understand this. Perhaps my question was not artfully put. Can I backup
>(rather than restore) specific systems files (including but perhaps not
>limited to the registry) that will permit a return to a former condition
>using the backup application? If so, what files are required?
>
> N. Schwartz
>
> "Rock" <rock@nospam.net> wrote in message
> news:uFznKGoDHHA.4404@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> "Norman Schwartz" wrote
>>
>>> The system restore function is not operating properly, i.e. will not
>>> automatically schedule nor restore. The culprit may be IE7 as the
>>> problem began shortly after its installation. I am not attempting to
>>> solve the restore problem at this time as I intend to upgrade to Vista
>>> when it is available. I do, however, want to have a backup ability in
>>> the interim and want to use the backup utility from Windows which is I
>>> have downloaded. My uncertainty is what files and/or folders should I
>>> backup to achieve the same effect of a system restore point. I do not
>>> wish to backup my entire harddisk, only that which would be needed to
>>> return (i.e. restore) to an earlier time.
>>
>> You have a misunderstanding of what system restore does. It does not
>> backup user generated files. It backs up the registry, and certain
>> monitored system files on the drives you specify. It is not a backup
>> program and cannot be substituted for one. It's main purpose is to
>> recover from a botched software or driver install. SR has it's place but
>> it is not a backup program.


The best option is to use a disk imaging or cloning program such as Acronis
True Image, Norton Ghost or Terabyte Unlimited's Image for Windows. There
are some good traditional backup programs available too. I don't use them
so I can't recommend any.

For backing up the registry I recommend ERUNT. It can be set to run
automatically as a scheduled task to backup the registry daily. If
something hoses the registry it can be restored from the recovery console -
accessed by booting the XP installation CD.

ERUNT
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-on...runt/erunt.txt

Installing and Using ERUNT
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_eruntuse.html
http://www.winxptutor.com/regback.htm