System Restore won't work

I have a brand new Dell Dimension 4600. (2 weeks old!)
My problem is, as I tried to set up a network connection
it failed to set up using the wizard. I thought no
problem, I will restore my computer back to a previous
state, and work on it later. This is where the real
problem is! It will not do a system restore. It goes
through the process, but when it reboots, it goes back to
the restore window and states that it can not restore the
system back to the date I selected. Contacted Dell
support....after hours of useless tech support, they told
me to use the Win XP disc and restore all the Window
files from it. Still did not work....now they tell me I
must reformat, and reinstall all original software.
There has got to be a simpler answer. Any help on this
matter will be "greatly" appreciated!!!!!

It sounds as though the System Restore file store is corrupted. The fix is
to turn it off, reboot, turn it back on and reboot. NOTE: this will delete
all restore points up to this time but at the moment, that is a moot point.

Open Control Panel, open System, go to the System Restore tab, place a check
next to "Turn off System Restore on all drives," click apply and ok, reboot
the system, return to the same place, remove the check, click apply and ok
and reboot. Then try making a manual restore point to see if it is now
functioning.

That said, if you are having problems as a result of network setup that
didn't take, assuming you have a Dell recovery CD, you'll need to follow
there recovery procedure. This will wipe the drive and start over clean.
If you do this, once again check out System Restore. Recovery disks often
restore an image as opposed to going through setup and this can create the
problem of corrupting the SR file store as mentioned above.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Wayne" wrote in message
...
I have a brand new Dell Dimension 4600. (2 weeks old!)
My problem is, as I tried to set up a network connection
it failed to set up using the wizard. I thought no
problem, I will restore my computer back to a previous
state, and work on it later. This is where the real
problem is! It will not do a system restore. It goes
through the process, but when it reboots, it goes back to
the restore window and states that it can not restore the
system back to the date I selected. Contacted Dell
support....after hours of useless tech support, they told
me to use the Win XP disc and restore all the Window
files from it. Still did not work....now they tell me I
must reformat, and reinstall all original software.
There has got to be a simpler answer. Any help on this
matter will be "greatly" appreciated!!!!!

Michael,

Thank you for your prompt reply! When Dell had me
reinstall the Windows files, it cleaned out all the
restore points that were previously there. It then
created a new one, from that starting point. I added some
files for a test, and then went back to try and restore
to the original restore point. Same problem...wouldn't
restore to its original state. Any ideas??
Thanks,
Wayne

-----Original Message-----
It sounds as though the System Restore file store is
corrupted. The fix is
to turn it off, reboot, turn it back on and reboot.
NOTE: this will delete
all restore points up to this time but at the moment,
that is a moot point.

Open Control Panel, open System, go to the System
Restore tab, place a check
next to "Turn off System Restore on all drives," click
apply and ok, reboot
the system, return to the same place, remove the check,
click apply and ok
and reboot. Then try making a manual restore point to
see if it is now
functioning.

That said, if you are having problems as a result of
network setup that
didn't take, assuming you have a Dell recovery CD,
you'll need to follow
there recovery procedure. This will wipe the drive and
start over clean.
If you do this, once again check out System Restore.
Recovery disks often
restore an image as opposed to going through setup and
this can create the
problem of corrupting the SR file store as mentioned
above.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Wayne" wrote in
message
...
I have a brand new Dell Dimension 4600. (2 weeks old!)
My problem is, as I tried to set up a network
connection
it failed to set up using the wizard. I thought no
problem, I will restore my computer back to a previous
state, and work on it later. This is where the real
problem is! It will not do a system restore. It goes
through the process, but when it reboots, it goes back
to
the restore window and states that it can not restore
the
system back to the date I selected. Contacted Dell
support....after hours of useless tech support, they
told
me to use the Win XP disc and restore all the Window
files from it. Still did not work....now they tell me
I
must reformat, and reinstall all original software.
There has got to be a simpler answer. Any help on this
matter will be "greatly" appreciated!!!!!


.

I can't say for sure what Dell did but before we go any further, I ask that
you at least try what I've suggested because you actually need to shutdown
System Restore and turn it back on. It sounds as though the Dell procedure
may have corrupted or re-corrupted the System Restore file store. You need
to do this or we can't rule it out.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Wayne" wrote in message
...
Michael,

Thank you for your prompt reply! When Dell had me
reinstall the Windows files, it cleaned out all the
restore points that were previously there. It then
created a new one, from that starting point. I added some
files for a test, and then went back to try and restore
to the original restore point. Same problem...wouldn't
restore to its original state. Any ideas??
Thanks,
Wayne

-----Original Message-----
It sounds as though the System Restore file store is
corrupted. The fix is
to turn it off, reboot, turn it back on and reboot.
NOTE: this will delete
all restore points up to this time but at the moment,
that is a moot point.

Open Control Panel, open System, go to the System
Restore tab, place a check
next to "Turn off System Restore on all drives," click
apply and ok, reboot
the system, return to the same place, remove the check,
click apply and ok
and reboot. Then try making a manual restore point to
see if it is now
functioning.

That said, if you are having problems as a result of
network setup that
didn't take, assuming you have a Dell recovery CD,
you'll need to follow
there recovery procedure. This will wipe the drive and
start over clean.
If you do this, once again check out System Restore.
Recovery disks often
restore an image as opposed to going through setup and
this can create the
problem of corrupting the SR file store as mentioned
above.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Wayne" wrote in
message
...
I have a brand new Dell Dimension 4600. (2 weeks old!)
My problem is, as I tried to set up a network
connection
it failed to set up using the wizard. I thought no
problem, I will restore my computer back to a previous
state, and work on it later. This is where the real
problem is! It will not do a system restore. It goes
through the process, but when it reboots, it goes back
to
the restore window and states that it can not restore
the
system back to the date I selected. Contacted Dell
support....after hours of useless tech support, they
told
me to use the Win XP disc and restore all the Window
files from it. Still did not work....now they tell me
I
must reformat, and reinstall all original software.
There has got to be a simpler answer. Any help on this
matter will be "greatly" appreciated!!!!!


.

Michael,

Your suggestion worked great!! Thank you for your
expertise! I just wish I knew why I spent 4 hours with
Dell tech support trying to do the same thing you did in
two minutes! Any suggestions as to how I should proceed
with my network setup. This machine uses XP and the
other uses 98. When I went through the network
connection wizard, it said it couldn't automatically set
up the network for me, I would have to do it manually. So
do you have any special suggestions or steps I should
take?
Thank you again for your time & assistance!
Wayne

-----Original Message-----
I can't say for sure what Dell did but before we go any
further, I ask that
you at least try what I've suggested because you
actually need to shutdown
System Restore and turn it back on. It sounds as though
the Dell procedure
may have corrupted or re-corrupted the System Restore
file store. You need
to do this or we can't rule it out.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Wayne" wrote in
message
...
Michael,

Thank you for your prompt reply! When Dell had me
reinstall the Windows files, it cleaned out all the
restore points that were previously there. It then
created a new one, from that starting point. I added
some
files for a test, and then went back to try and restore
to the original restore point. Same problem...wouldn't
restore to its original state. Any ideas??
Thanks,
Wayne

-----Original Message-----
It sounds as though the System Restore file store is
corrupted. The fix is
to turn it off, reboot, turn it back on and reboot.
NOTE: this will delete
all restore points up to this time but at the moment,
that is a moot point.

Open Control Panel, open System, go to the System
Restore tab, place a check
next to "Turn off System Restore on all drives," click
apply and ok, reboot
the system, return to the same place, remove the
check,
click apply and ok
and reboot. Then try making a manual restore point to
see if it is now
functioning.

That said, if you are having problems as a result of
network setup that
didn't take, assuming you have a Dell recovery CD,
you'll need to follow
there recovery procedure. This will wipe the drive
and
start over clean.
If you do this, once again check out System Restore.
Recovery disks often
restore an image as opposed to going through setup and
this can create the
problem of corrupting the SR file store as mentioned
above.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Wayne" wrote in
message
...
I have a brand new Dell Dimension 4600. (2 weeks
old!)
My problem is, as I tried to set up a network
connection
it failed to set up using the wizard. I thought no
problem, I will restore my computer back to a
previous
state, and work on it later. This is where the real
problem is! It will not do a system restore. It
goes
through the process, but when it reboots, it goes
back
to
the restore window and states that it can not
restore
the
system back to the date I selected. Contacted Dell
support....after hours of useless tech support, they
told
me to use the Win XP disc and restore all the Window
files from it. Still did not work....now they tell
me
I
must reformat, and reinstall all original software.
There has got to be a simpler answer. Any help on
this
matter will be "greatly" appreciated!!!!!


.



.

You're welcome, Wayne.

I can't say why Dell didn't know that trick for fixing System Restore.

First, have you tried running the XP Network Setup Wizard since you fixed
System Restore.

Second, when you do so, be sure to turn off all firewalls including the XP
firewall, any antivirus applications or any other security applications on
all computers during the run of the wizard. If you are connecting through a
router, be sure nothing in the router is set to block setup. Some routers
in addition to their hardware features have software that might interfere.
For the record, the XP firewall is in the following location. Open Control
Panel, go to Network Connection, right click "Local Area Connection," select
properties, go to the Advanced tab and be sure and be sure there is no check
next to "Protect my computer and network..."

If you manage to run the wizard, at some point during the wizard, the user
is asked how this computer connects to the Internet. An incorrect answer in
this location can block network access. Many home users select the "Hub"
option and they end up unable to connect. Usually, it is the "Gateway"
option that gets things going.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Wayne" wrote in message
...
Michael,

Your suggestion worked great!! Thank you for your
expertise! I just wish I knew why I spent 4 hours with
Dell tech support trying to do the same thing you did in
two minutes! Any suggestions as to how I should proceed
with my network setup. This machine uses XP and the
other uses 98. When I went through the network
connection wizard, it said it couldn't automatically set
up the network for me, I would have to do it manually. So
do you have any special suggestions or steps I should
take?
Thank you again for your time & assistance!
Wayne

-----Original Message-----
I can't say for sure what Dell did but before we go any
further, I ask that
you at least try what I've suggested because you
actually need to shutdown
System Restore and turn it back on. It sounds as though
the Dell procedure
may have corrupted or re-corrupted the System Restore
file store. You need
to do this or we can't rule it out.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Wayne" wrote in
message
...
Michael,

Thank you for your prompt reply! When Dell had me
reinstall the Windows files, it cleaned out all the
restore points that were previously there. It then
created a new one, from that starting point. I added
some
files for a test, and then went back to try and restore
to the original restore point. Same problem...wouldn't
restore to its original state. Any ideas??
Thanks,
Wayne

-----Original Message-----
It sounds as though the System Restore file store is
corrupted. The fix is
to turn it off, reboot, turn it back on and reboot.
NOTE: this will delete
all restore points up to this time but at the moment,
that is a moot point.

Open Control Panel, open System, go to the System
Restore tab, place a check
next to "Turn off System Restore on all drives," click
apply and ok, reboot
the system, return to the same place, remove the
check,
click apply and ok
and reboot. Then try making a manual restore point to
see if it is now
functioning.

That said, if you are having problems as a result of
network setup that
didn't take, assuming you have a Dell recovery CD,
you'll need to follow
there recovery procedure. This will wipe the drive
and
start over clean.
If you do this, once again check out System Restore.
Recovery disks often
restore an image as opposed to going through setup and
this can create the
problem of corrupting the SR file store as mentioned
above.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Wayne" wrote in
message
...
I have a brand new Dell Dimension 4600. (2 weeks
old!)
My problem is, as I tried to set up a network
connection
it failed to set up using the wizard. I thought no
problem, I will restore my computer back to a
previous
state, and work on it later. This is where the real
problem is! It will not do a system restore. It
goes
through the process, but when it reboots, it goes
back
to
the restore window and states that it can not
restore
the
system back to the date I selected. Contacted Dell
support....after hours of useless tech support, they
told
me to use the Win XP disc and restore all the Window
files from it. Still did not work....now they tell
me
I
must reformat, and reinstall all original software.
There has got to be a simpler answer. Any help on
this
matter will be "greatly" appreciated!!!!!


.



.

Try disabling the service.
Enter services.msc from the RUN box and press enter.
Right click the system restore service and set startup
type
to disabled.
Reboot.
Check the foler "system volume information" it should be
empty.
If it's not you should gain access and empty it.

It was empty, but couldn't gain access to it.



Once it's empty, set the above service to automatic and
reboot.
Access the tool by entering accessories/system
tools/system restore.
Check to see if it has taken a retore point.

Right click my computer/properties/system restore tab
check the drive settings.
If it's still not working, look in the event viewer for
possible
further details (eventvwr.msc from the run box)


Further details revealed a 7023 error. Which is some kind
of bug in the Home version of XP. It said something about
program removal;

"When you remove a program, the following entry may be
recorded in the System event log:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Service Control Manager
Event ID: 7023
Description: The Application Management Service terminated
with the following error:
The specified module could not be found.
CAUSE
The Application Management service is not supported in
Windows XP Home Edition and the Appmgmt.dll file is not
included with Windows XP Home Edition. However, the
registry setting that disables this service is not
configured correctly in Windows XP Home Edition.
Therefore, the uninstallation routine may try to find the
Appmgmt.dll file. An entry is recorded in the System event
log when the uninstallation routine cannot find the
Appmgmt.dll file.
RESOLUTION
A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is
only intended to correct the problem that is described in
this article. Apply it only to computers that are
experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive
additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely
affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you
wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains
this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft
Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete
list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers
and information about support costs, visit the following
Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-
US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily
incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft
Support Professional determines that a specific update
will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will
apply to additional support questions and issues that do
not qualify for the specific update in question.

Note This fix was repackaged on March 27, 2003, with an
updated Windows Service Pack Setup installer (Update.exe)
that corrects the issue that is documented in Microsoft
Knowledge Base article 817084. The repackaged hotfix
contains the updated components that are listed in the
following table. The dates and times for these files are
listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view
the file information, it is converted to local time. To
find the difference between UTC and local time, use the
Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

The only problem is I never removed any programs, just
copied the original hard drive.

dw

Dave PS does your new drive have the same drive letter
as the
original?

Yes...and thank you for the info....dave w.

Reboot.
Check the foler "system volume information" it should be
empty.
If it's not you should gain access and empty it.
Once it's empty, set the above service to automatic and
reboot.
Access the tool by entering accessories/system
tools/system restore.
Check to see if it has taken a retore point.

Right click my computer/properties/system restore tab
check the drive settings.
If it's still not working, look in the event viewer for
possible
further details (eventvwr.msc from the run box)
Dave PS does your new drive have the same drive letter as
the
original?



Yes, Microsoft has given me a patch...I tried your
suggestion in combination with reinstalling the sr.ini
file and it worked until I tried to boot up with both
drives installed, and Sata drive will not boot now...say "
dll files missing. Thanks for all you help.


dw