System Restore on XP

**rake922** · 10-02-2006, 10:48 AM

Does anybody know how system restore really works?

I mean for example why would it be able to retain all of your documents but change other aspects of your system to what it was like previously.

***perfectbeast2001*** · 10-02-2006, 11:00 AM

it works to a degree. It looks for important changes to registry ect. So for example you install some software that affects your system in a negative way then restore system to pre install time and problem fixed. However there are negative sides. Many viruses "hide" in system restore so it should be turned off when disinfecting pc.

**rake922** · 10-02-2006, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by perfectbeast2001

it works to a degree. It looks for important changes to registry ect. So for example you install some software that affects your system in a negative way then restore system to pre install time and problem fixed. However there are negative sides. Many viruses "hide" in system restore so it should be turned off when disinfecting pc.

Have you used it? Would you reccomend it?

Basically right now I just want my computer the way it was when it was purchased. Keep in mind I don't have a Windows XP CD as I don't think the computer came with one.

I'd be open to Re-downloading a few programs again as well as backing up my porn collection (There's a free online hard drive at xdrive.com !!)

Any suggestions?
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CD IS FOUND

**bazerk** · 10-02-2006, 02:53 PM

My buddy had a lot of unwanted crap on his system so he saved to a disk what was important and reinstalled his windows XP. Then put back his stuff and that fixed his problem. If this makes any sense?

**Bryan2** · 10-02-2006, 03:01 PM

What brand is your comp?

call the manufacterer and thell send a restore disk out to you for free.

This way youll be cool as long as you back up whatever is important onto disk.

***perfectbeast2001*** · 10-02-2006, 03:03 PM

i agree with the above. I would not use restore to take my system back to "as new" as it will leave all sorts of crap files and invalid entries about. reinstall is the way to go.

**outofthebox** · 10-02-2006, 03:12 PM

system restore is garbage unless you are using it just to get your computer up and running long enough to back up what you need and then format and start from scratch, every time your computer SUCESSFULLY boots, windows takes it uppon itself(unless you uncheck that option in the settings) to make a backup of minimum your entire registry, and depending on how much space you alocate it, all of your drivers/dlls that loaded. When you use it, system restore will simply copy that last copy of the registry that was sucessfully booted along with all of the drivers/dlls that were loaded. There are also some other minor things that can get backed up too, but thats the gist of it...all in all, with driver version conflicts and software that install other things, system restore will really make your computer take a dump...dont use it unless you HAVE to

**cfiler** · 10-02-2006, 09:39 PM

It removes some stuff, but not all. If you are trying to reset it back to the way it was new, your best bet would be to talk to the manufacturer and have a system restore dvd or cd sent out to you.

It's worth a shot though.

**rake922** · 10-02-2006, 11:09 PM

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I FOUND IT

http://rake922.youaremighty.com/

**Sapper** · 10-25-2006, 06:06 PM

Seems to me that every time I actually need System Restore, it fails. Besides that, it's been out long enough that most malware writers can write their viruses into the backups, anyway.

To answer your question on how it works, it only backs up system files, like those found under your Windows folder. When it "restores" a system, it just overwrites those files instead of wiping out your entire hard drive.

You can do a Non-destructive reinstall of Windows as well, just boot to the Windows CD and let it install itself over the current install. Don't let it format the drive.

And WinXP Home edition sucks.