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| Thread ID: 58646 | 2005-06-07 22:45:00 | How effective is 'System Restore' | Oggy (5399) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 361928 | 2005-06-07 22:45:00 | Hi I'm totally new to XP, hence the question. Tried to load some game software last night and had McAfee closed down to do it becauase of suspected conflicts. The install failed (again) and I had to shut the PC down. When it rebooted there was an error message telling me that 'McAfee Security Centre was not installed properly or had some components missing. Reinstall'. It's not that easy though as I don't have the disk. Nothing dodgy ... when I ordered the PC I nominated not to have security software pre-loaded but they loaded it anyway...but not surprisingly didn't supply the disk. Now the question ... before I started my session last night I set a restore point. I registered a couple of bits of software, did a Windows update then loaded a game successfully before my McAfee issue. If I was to use the restore point, what are the chances that everything will be returned to exactly the way it was and that McAfee will be restored? No biggie if there are doubts. I'll just uninstall it and load AVG instead. It's not as if McAfee cost me anything. Perhaps this is just the Universe squaring things up. |
Oggy (5399) | ||
| 361929 | 2005-06-07 22:55:00 | The McAfee version is probably only the 3 month freebee as is usually installed, so you may not have got something for nothing. System Restore only restores Windows system files, and does not encompass any data files or user created documents or information. Within those limitations, it works quite well. |
godfather (25) | ||
| 361930 | 2005-06-07 23:02:00 | It's worth a try. Basically, System restore is just that..SYSTEM restore. It saves things like system files and registry entries that have been changed. It doesn't save or restore program or personal files, such as emails and My Documents. So, if one of McAfee's files it installed in the system, or registry change has been altered, using the restore can bring them back. Unfortunately, the update will be lost as well, but can easily be replaced through using the update procedure. |
pheonix (36) | ||
| 361931 | 2005-06-07 23:14:00 | FWIW - A general comment about System Restore... When it is there, with all the saved restore points, it works fine, at least for me. But sometimes the restore points can be erased. I cannot recall exactly how, but one program that I was going to install required that SysRestore be zeroed, losing all restore points. Also, a glitch / corruption with WinXP, can cause SysRestore to default back to zero point. My advice: Always use a second-party Restore program. There are freebies around, or you can pay for one. If possible, save the restore points in a place that will not get corrupted, such as removable media or a second HD or a partition. |
Strommer (42) | ||
| 361932 | 2005-06-07 23:22:00 | but one program that I was going to install required that SysRestore be zeroed, losing all restore points........................man, that's VERY unusual.....never had that myself......and I cant really imagine why a program would require this......... | drcspy (146) | ||
| 361933 | 2005-06-07 23:28:00 | System restore is a pile of junk, It manages to cache all virus and other infected crap on ya computer , Fails everytime if there is anything actually wrong with the comp, can't be run from outside of the windows GUI and it takes up huge amount of HD space. For those that think it only makes a record of system files and registry entires it may pay to have a wander though the files System restore has recorded. It could be a good idea, but it would only have to have about 200mb of files it it,and it should just restore the boot files and core system files, ensuring the system runs as designed. MS are a bunch of clowns. |
Metla (12) | ||
| 361934 | 2005-06-08 00:48:00 | Well I certainly agree on that. Last time I used system restore it screwed my computer and for some 'strange' reason I was unable to un-restore, result of which I had to re-install windows to get everything working properly. | Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 361935 | 2005-06-08 01:35:00 | System restore is a pile of junk, It manages to cache all virus and other infected crap on ya computer . Yes, it does . That's why you turn off System restore before attempting to remove virus files etc . Otherwise, it'll just "restore" them . MS are a bunch of clowns . That's an unfair & inaccurate generalisation . I'm very offended . MS are a bunch of rich clowns . |
Peterj116 (6762) | ||
| 361936 | 2005-06-08 02:20:00 | oh,thanks for that, is the system restore "off" button the one beside the power button on the front of the case? pressed mine 30 or so times in quick succesion and all hell seems to be breaking loose. edit* just found a switch on the back of the case with 240v written on it, gonna change that one and see what happens. |
Metla (12) | ||
| 361937 | 2005-06-08 02:22:00 | Ahem. The point being that if you have a system failure that requires using System restore then you run the very real risk of dumping a boatload of corrupt and infected files back onto your computer, Making the problem worse rather then better. |
Metla (12) | ||
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