system restore fails to complete

I am Running Vista and tried to run system restore twice. I followed the
directions and picked the recommended date.

I get a message telling me that Windows failed to shut down and asks me to
select safe mode or regular windows. I tried both, it seems to start up (I
see a blue screen with "stuff" on it) but then the screen goes blank and the
machine restarts. Upon restart I get a message that "system restore failed
to complete".

Any ideas? There seems to be very little about troubleshooting system
restore anywhere. Thanks in advance.

abbey wrote:
> I am Running Vista and tried to run system restore twice. I followed
> the directions and picked the recommended date.
>
> I get a message telling me that Windows failed to shut down and asks
> me to select safe mode or regular windows. I tried both, it seems to
> start up (I see a blue screen with "stuff" on it) but then the screen
> goes blank and the machine restarts. Upon restart I get a message
> that "system restore failed to complete".
>
> Any ideas? There seems to be very little about troubleshooting system
> restore anywhere. Thanks in advance.
=======================================
It may be worth a try to run System Restore
from Safe Mode. Maybe the following links
will offer some ideas:

Windows Vista
System Restore FAQ
http://tinyurl.com/u6z5p

Using Windows Vista
System Restore
http://tinyurl.com/2qhd77

Windows Vista -
Start your computer in safe mode
http://tinyurl.com/397vhf

--

John Inzer
MS Picture It! -
Digital Image MVP

Digital Image
Highlights and FAQs
http://tinyurl.com/aczzp

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

Hi abbey--

I'm a bit confused here. You say you tried to run system restore twice.
That implied you did it from Windows Vista. Then you said you can't boot to
Vista on startup and you get a BSOD. And I assume after that when it
restarts you are getting that message that "system restore failed to start"
but you're not up in Windows when you get it.

Assuming that you have some restore points or at least one, depending on
whether you have a Vista DVD or not, I'd try these options. You have
several safe modes at the F8 menu, and one may work when another does not,
and you also have Last Known Good Configuration on that menu.

http://supcontent.gateway.com/suppor...ootOptions.gif


If you have a Vista DVD, you have the additional options of Startup Repair
and also you can run system restore from that Recovery link as well.

Instructions on how to do this are below:

***Startup Repair from the Vista DVD***

How to Use The Vista DVD to Repair Vista (Startup Repair is misnamed by the
Win RE team and it can be used to fix many Vista components even when you
***can boot to Vista):

http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm

If you elect to run Startup repair from the Vista DVD (it can fix major
components in Vista--I've verified this many many times; it's good for more
than startup problems, and the Win RE team simply screwed up when they named
it not understanding its full functionality):

Startup Repair will look like this when you put in the Vista DVD:

http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png

You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
also sometimes effective):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm

It will automatically take you to this on your screen:

http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png

That will allow you to go to the Vista setup that has a Repair link on
thelower left corner>click it and then you'll see a gray backgrounded list
and I want you to click Startup Repair from it and follow the directions.

The gray screen after you click the first link in the above pic will look
like this:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winv...ir/Image17.gif

Click Startup Repair, the link at the top and after it scans>click OK and
let it try to repair Vista. It will tell you if it does, and if it
doesn't, try System Restore from the Recovery Link on the DVD. If these
don't work booting into Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key and using System
Restore from one of the safe modes besides VGA may work. That means you
have the option to try 4 different safe modes to get to system restore, (one
from the Recovery link on the DVD) and sometimes one will work when the
others won't.


You could also try a Repair Install with Vista which is done exactly the
same way as in XP:

***Repair Install Steps*** (can be used for Vista) MVP Doug Knox
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx


***Using the F8 Environment***

***Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
by starting the PC and tapping F8 once per second when the firmware screen
with the pc manufacturer's name shows a few seconds after restarting***:

The F8 options in Vista are the same as XP, and the link for Safe Mode Boot
options is labled XP by MSFT but they are the same for Vista (they haven't
updated to add Vista to the title as they have with several MSKBs that apply
to both).

Again, pressing F8 repeatedly when you seem the firmware screen may be is a
generic way to launch Windows RE on some OEM Vista computers.

You could also:

Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in order.
1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
Configuration


Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you a
choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
Prompt.

These methods are outlined in

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../faqsrwxp.mspx

System Restore can be run from the Win RE recovery environment from the same
link as Startup Repair, and sometimes it will work from one F8 safe mode
location or from the Win Recovery Environment when it won't work from other
locations.

How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304449

Good luck,

CH



"abbey" <> wrote in message
news:5D01833D-F3E0-4C86-B2F5-...
>I am Running Vista and tried to run system restore twice. I followed the
> directions and picked the recommended date.
>
> I get a message telling me that Windows failed to shut down and asks me to
> select safe mode or regular windows. I tried both, it seems to start up
> (I
> see a blue screen with "stuff" on it) but then the screen goes blank and
> the
> machine restarts. Upon restart I get a message that "system restore
> failed
> to complete".
>
> Any ideas? There seems to be very little about troubleshooting system
> restore anywhere. Thanks in advance.

Sorry for my lack of details..
I mentioned Vista...I don't know why. That's the OS I'm using but duh, I
guess I'd be posting elsewhere if I didn't. Anyway..
I ran system restore from "regular" windows environment and once from Safe
Mode. Each time I thought it was complete because the machine restarted and
put me at my login screen. AFTER I log in, and the desktop is restored, a
message comes up about the restore being incomplete.

Another oddity - the system restore I did from Safe Mode doesn't show up in
the list of operations. The other one I did (that supposedly didn't finish)
is there. Is there a way to check to see if it really did "restore" and
perhaps the error message i some fluke?

Thanks-Abbey

"Chad Harris" wrote:

> Hi abbey--
>
> I'm a bit confused here. You say you tried to run system restore twice.
> That implied you did it from Windows Vista. Then you said you can't boot to
> Vista on startup and you get a BSOD. And I assume after that when it
> restarts you are getting that message that "system restore failed to start"
> but you're not up in Windows when you get it.
>
> Assuming that you have some restore points or at least one, depending on
> whether you have a Vista DVD or not, I'd try these options. You have
> several safe modes at the F8 menu, and one may work when another does not,
> and you also have Last Known Good Configuration on that menu.
>
> http://supcontent.gateway.com/suppor...ootOptions.gif
>
>
> If you have a Vista DVD, you have the additional options of Startup Repair
> and also you can run system restore from that Recovery link as well.
>
> Instructions on how to do this are below:
>
> ***Startup Repair from the Vista DVD***
>
> How to Use The Vista DVD to Repair Vista (Startup Repair is misnamed by the
> Win RE team and it can be used to fix many Vista components even when you
> ***can boot to Vista):
>
> http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
>
> If you elect to run Startup repair from the Vista DVD (it can fix major
> components in Vista--I've verified this many many times; it's good for more
> than startup problems, and the Win RE team simply screwed up when they named
> it not understanding its full functionality):
>
> Startup Repair will look like this when you put in the Vista DVD:
>
> http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
>
> You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
> also sometimes effective):
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us
>
> How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
> http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
>
> It will automatically take you to this on your screen:
>
> http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
>
> That will allow you to go to the Vista setup that has a Repair link on
> thelower left corner>click it and then you'll see a gray backgrounded list
> and I want you to click Startup Repair from it and follow the directions.
>
> The gray screen after you click the first link in the above pic will look
> like this:
>
> http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winv...ir/Image17.gif
>
> Click Startup Repair, the link at the top and after it scans>click OK and
> let it try to repair Vista. It will tell you if it does, and if it
> doesn't, try System Restore from the Recovery Link on the DVD. If these
> don't work booting into Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key and using System
> Restore from one of the safe modes besides VGA may work. That means you
> have the option to try 4 different safe modes to get to system restore, (one
> from the Recovery link on the DVD) and sometimes one will work when the
> others won't.
>
>
> You could also try a Repair Install with Vista which is done exactly the
> same way as in XP:
>
> ***Repair Install Steps*** (can be used for Vista) MVP Doug Knox
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx
>
>
> ***Using the F8 Environment***
>
> ***Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
> by starting the PC and tapping F8 once per second when the firmware screen
> with the pc manufacturer's name shows a few seconds after restarting***:
>
> The F8 options in Vista are the same as XP, and the link for Safe Mode Boot
> options is labled XP by MSFT but they are the same for Vista (they haven't
> updated to add Vista to the title as they have with several MSKBs that apply
> to both).
>
> Again, pressing F8 repeatedly when you seem the firmware screen may be is a
> generic way to launch Windows RE on some OEM Vista computers.
>
> You could also:
>
> Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in order.
> 1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
> prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
> Configuration
>
>
> Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
> use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you a
> choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
> Prompt.
>
> These methods are outlined in
>
> A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
>
> Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../faqsrwxp.mspx
>
> System Restore can be run from the Win RE recovery environment from the same
> link as Startup Repair, and sometimes it will work from one F8 safe mode
> location or from the Win Recovery Environment when it won't work from other
> locations.
>
> How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304449
>
> Good luck,
>
> CH
>
>
>
> "abbey" <> wrote in message
> news:5D01833D-F3E0-4C86-B2F5-...
> >I am Running Vista and tried to run system restore twice. I followed the
> > directions and picked the recommended date.
> >
> > I get a message telling me that Windows failed to shut down and asks me to
> > select safe mode or regular windows. I tried both, it seems to start up
> > (I
> > see a blue screen with "stuff" on it) but then the screen goes blank and
> > the
> > machine restarts. Upon restart I get a message that "system restore
> > failed
> > to complete".
> >
> > Any ideas? There seems to be very little about troubleshooting system
> > restore anywhere. Thanks in advance.
>
>

abbey wrote:
> Sorry for my lack of details..
> I mentioned Vista...I don't know why. That's the OS I'm using but duh, I
> guess I'd be posting elsewhere if I didn't. Anyway..
> I ran system restore from "regular" windows environment and once from Safe
> Mode. Each time I thought it was complete because the machine restarted and
> put me at my login screen. AFTER I log in, and the desktop is restored, a
> message comes up about the restore being incomplete.
>
> Another oddity - the system restore I did from Safe Mode doesn't show up in
> the list of operations. The other one I did (that supposedly didn't finish)
> is there. Is there a way to check to see if it really did "restore" and
> perhaps the error message i some fluke?
>
> Thanks-Abbey
>
> "Chad Harris" wrote:
>
>
>> Hi abbey--
>>
>> I'm a bit confused here. You say you tried to run system restore twice.
>> That implied you did it from Windows Vista. Then you said you can't boot to
>> Vista on startup and you get a BSOD. And I assume after that when it
>> restarts you are getting that message that "system restore failed to start"
>> but you're not up in Windows when you get it.
>>
>> Assuming that you have some restore points or at least one, depending on
>> whether you have a Vista DVD or not, I'd try these options. You have
>> several safe modes at the F8 menu, and one may work when another does not,
>> and you also have Last Known Good Configuration on that menu.
>>
>> http://supcontent.gateway.com/suppor...ootOptions.gif
>>
>>
>> If you have a Vista DVD, you have the additional options of Startup Repair
>> and also you can run system restore from that Recovery link as well.
>>
>> Instructions on how to do this are below:
>>
>> ***Startup Repair from the Vista DVD***
>>
>> How to Use The Vista DVD to Repair Vista (Startup Repair is misnamed by the
>> Win RE team and it can be used to fix many Vista components even when you
>> ***can boot to Vista):
>>
>> http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
>>
>> If you elect to run Startup repair from the Vista DVD (it can fix major
>> components in Vista--I've verified this many many times; it's good for more
>> than startup problems, and the Win RE team simply screwed up when they named
>> it not understanding its full functionality):
>>
>> Startup Repair will look like this when you put in the Vista DVD:
>>
>> http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
>>
>> You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
>> also sometimes effective):
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us
>>
>> How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
>> http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
>>
>> It will automatically take you to this on your screen:
>>
>> http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
>>
>> That will allow you to go to the Vista setup that has a Repair link on
>> thelower left corner>click it and then you'll see a gray backgrounded list
>> and I want you to click Startup Repair from it and follow the directions.
>>
>> The gray screen after you click the first link in the above pic will look
>> like this:
>>
>> http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winv...ir/Image17.gif
>>
>> Click Startup Repair, the link at the top and after it scans>click OK and
>> let it try to repair Vista. It will tell you if it does, and if it
>> doesn't, try System Restore from the Recovery Link on the DVD. If these
>> don't work booting into Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key and using System
>> Restore from one of the safe modes besides VGA may work. That means you
>> have the option to try 4 different safe modes to get to system restore, (one
>> from the Recovery link on the DVD) and sometimes one will work when the
>> others won't.
>>
>>
>> You could also try a Repair Install with Vista which is done exactly the
>> same way as in XP:
>>
>> ***Repair Install Steps*** (can be used for Vista) MVP Doug Knox
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx
>>
>>
>> ***Using the F8 Environment***
>>
>> ***Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
>> by starting the PC and tapping F8 once per second when the firmware screen
>> with the pc manufacturer's name shows a few seconds after restarting***:
>>
>> The F8 options in Vista are the same as XP, and the link for Safe Mode Boot
>> options is labled XP by MSFT but they are the same for Vista (they haven't
>> updated to add Vista to the title as they have with several MSKBs that apply
>> to both).
>>
>> Again, pressing F8 repeatedly when you seem the firmware screen may be is a
>> generic way to launch Windows RE on some OEM Vista computers.
>>
>> You could also:
>>
>> Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in order.
>> 1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
>> prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
>> Configuration
>>
>>
>> Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
>> use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you a
>> choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
>> Prompt.
>>
>> These methods are outlined in
>>
>> A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
>>
>> Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../faqsrwxp.mspx
>>
>> System Restore can be run from the Win RE recovery environment from the same
>> link as Startup Repair, and sometimes it will work from one F8 safe mode
>> location or from the Win Recovery Environment when it won't work from other
>> locations.
>>
>> How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304449
>>
>> Good luck,
>>
>> CH
>>
>>
>>
>> "abbey" <> wrote in message
>> news:5D01833D-F3E0-4C86-B2F5-...
>>
>>> I am Running Vista and tried to run system restore twice. I followed the
>>> directions and picked the recommended date.
>>>
>>> I get a message telling me that Windows failed to shut down and asks me to
>>> select safe mode or regular windows. I tried both, it seems to start up
>>> (I
>>> see a blue screen with "stuff" on it) but then the screen goes blank and
>>> the
>>> machine restarts. Upon restart I get a message that "system restore
>>> failed
>>> to complete".
>>>
>>> Any ideas? There seems to be very little about troubleshooting system
>>> restore anywhere. Thanks in advance.
>>>
>>
are u running norton antivirus? if "yes" there is a feature you have to
turn off in norton...

Abbey--

What is your reason for wanting to use SR--because if we know it maybe we
can help you fix what you want to fix another way. Also Abbey do you have
a Vista DVD or can you get your hands on one--perhaps borrow one from
someone so you can use Startup Repair--even if you can startup because it
can fix many things in Vista?

The error message is usually not a fluke and this again all goes to what is
the reason you wanted to use SR--and did you fix or change that reason?
That would answer your question.

So... system restore runs, you get back up to Windows, and you get the
message that the restore wasn't complete but it doesn't tell you what the
"wasn't complete" actually means. My question there would be Abbey how are
things working anyway, and you restored for a reason--you wanted to fix
something or change something--did that fix or change get done regardless of
that "incomplete SR" message?

The reason I ask is because I'm familiar with that message from years of
newsgroups, but usually the whole message is that "system restore did not
complete **** [and] your computer's files and settings were not changed."

Is that your exact Message Abbey? One common thing that's always asked when
someone has that message is do you by some chance have Norton Antivirus
Running on your pc, because sometimes Norton AV will cause that to happen
although it's not common for it to do that.

I assumed you were using Vista. That wasn't what was hazy. What was hazy
from your first post was where you were running System Restore from, and
whether you could boot the first time you ran SR and not boot after you ran
it. We do get questions here about XP and it's faster to answer them than
to tell someone to go somewhere else for me. We also get questions about
every other software MSFT makes and every other 3rd party software and
hardware questions in here too, so the name Vista general--I'm not sure what
it's supposed to mean but even in the Vista Beta testers group the vast
majority of them couldn't post in the right place and there were over 60
different subspecialty groups.

If someone has a Vista DVD, they have more options to fix Vista, because
Startup Repair is available at the Recovery Link by putting in the DVD and
booting from it, and there is a system restore option there as well in a
repair environment that is new with Vista called "WinRE" for Windows
Recovery Environment. The Win RE team lables its Startup Repair as a place
to fix Vista no boots, but it is much more than that--it can also fix
significantly broken components of Vista when you can boot. Why they don't
recognize that on their websites is beyond me. I've written them about it
more than once.

One point I like to stress for people to maximize their options to fix a no
boot Vista is that sometimes you can run system restore by getting "in the
door to do it" (that's a metaphor) by going to one safe mode where you can't
get in at another safe mode location. By that I mean that there is safe
mode at the Recovery Link on the DVD. So your chances are best if you can't
make system restore work at one safe mode location, to try every other safe
mode location--because one might work when the others don't. They are:

Safe Mode from the DVD's Recovery Link
Safe Mode by Tapping F8 and using that Menu
Safe Mode from Command Prompt by Tapping F8 and using that Menu
Safe Mode with Networking (i.e. you can browse in safe mode) by Tapping F8
and using that Menu

Last Known Good Configurtation is also at the F8 menu and it can be tried

All of these are explained and links to them are in my previous post.

Last Known Good is a snapshot of the last time you were able to do a stable
boot, and it works rarely, but when it does you've scored. The distinction
between using a restore point and last known good, is say you haven't
rebooted your computer for two weeks (some people don't rebooot that often
unless they have to and I'm one of them) then LKG is going back to the last
time you did. So changes you've made since aren't going to be preserved.

In my experience using system restore an awful lot of times, SR may or may
not preserve short cuts since the restore point, but it often does. You do
not lose data with SR because it doesn't track data in either XP or Vista.
However, if you can't boot and get to your data and SR works, you have saved
your data.

Answer my questions about the DVD and your reasons for using SR and answer
your own question as to whether SR fixed whatever Abbey wanted to fix and we
can help you better.

CH








"abbey" <> wrote in message
news:0EE5ECC8-FF5A-4E14-B54C-...
> Sorry for my lack of details..
> I mentioned Vista...I don't know why. That's the OS I'm using but duh, I
> guess I'd be posting elsewhere if I didn't. Anyway..
> I ran system restore from "regular" windows environment and once from Safe
> Mode. Each time I thought it was complete because the machine restarted
> and
> put me at my login screen. AFTER I log in, and the desktop is restored, a
> message comes up about the restore being incomplete.
>
> Another oddity - the system restore I did from Safe Mode doesn't show up
> in
> the list of operations. The other one I did (that supposedly didn't
> finish)
> is there. Is there a way to check to see if it really did "restore" and
> perhaps the error message i some fluke?
>
> Thanks-Abbey
>
> "Chad Harris" wrote:
>
>> Hi abbey--
>>
>> I'm a bit confused here. You say you tried to run system restore twice.
>> That implied you did it from Windows Vista. Then you said you can't boot
>> to
>> Vista on startup and you get a BSOD. And I assume after that when it
>> restarts you are getting that message that "system restore failed to
>> start"
>> but you're not up in Windows when you get it.
>>
>> Assuming that you have some restore points or at least one, depending on
>> whether you have a Vista DVD or not, I'd try these options. You have
>> several safe modes at the F8 menu, and one may work when another does
>> not,
>> and you also have Last Known Good Configuration on that menu.
>>
>> http://supcontent.gateway.com/suppor...ootOptions.gif
>>
>>
>> If you have a Vista DVD, you have the additional options of Startup
>> Repair
>> and also you can run system restore from that Recovery link as well.
>>
>> Instructions on how to do this are below:
>>
>> ***Startup Repair from the Vista DVD***
>>
>> How to Use The Vista DVD to Repair Vista (Startup Repair is misnamed by
>> the
>> Win RE team and it can be used to fix many Vista components even when you
>> ***can boot to Vista):
>>
>> http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
>>
>> If you elect to run Startup repair from the Vista DVD (it can fix major
>> components in Vista--I've verified this many many times; it's good for
>> more
>> than startup problems, and the Win RE team simply screwed up when they
>> named
>> it not understanding its full functionality):
>>
>> Startup Repair will look like this when you put in the Vista DVD:
>>
>> http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
>>
>> You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
>> also sometimes effective):
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us
>>
>> How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
>> http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
>>
>> It will automatically take you to this on your screen:
>>
>> http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
>>
>> That will allow you to go to the Vista setup that has a Repair link on
>> thelower left corner>click it and then you'll see a gray backgrounded
>> list
>> and I want you to click Startup Repair from it and follow the directions.
>>
>> The gray screen after you click the first link in the above pic will look
>> like this:
>>
>> http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winv...ir/Image17.gif
>>
>> Click Startup Repair, the link at the top and after it scans>click OK and
>> let it try to repair Vista. It will tell you if it does, and if it
>> doesn't, try System Restore from the Recovery Link on the DVD. If these
>> don't work booting into Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key and using System
>> Restore from one of the safe modes besides VGA may work. That means you
>> have the option to try 4 different safe modes to get to system restore,
>> (one
>> from the Recovery link on the DVD) and sometimes one will work when the
>> others won't.
>>
>>
>> You could also try a Repair Install with Vista which is done exactly the
>> same way as in XP:
>>
>> ***Repair Install Steps*** (can be used for Vista) MVP Doug Knox
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx
>>
>>
>> ***Using the F8 Environment***
>>
>> ***Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options
>> Menu)
>> by starting the PC and tapping F8 once per second when the firmware
>> screen
>> with the pc manufacturer's name shows a few seconds after restarting***:
>>
>> The F8 options in Vista are the same as XP, and the link for Safe Mode
>> Boot
>> options is labled XP by MSFT but they are the same for Vista (they
>> haven't
>> updated to add Vista to the title as they have with several MSKBs that
>> apply
>> to both).
>>
>> Again, pressing F8 repeatedly when you seem the firmware screen may be is
>> a
>> generic way to launch Windows RE on some OEM Vista computers.
>>
>> You could also:
>>
>> Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in
>> order.
>> 1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
>> prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
>> Configuration
>>
>>
>> Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
>> use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives
>> you a
>> choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
>> Prompt.
>>
>> These methods are outlined in
>>
>> A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
>>
>> Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../faqsrwxp.mspx
>>
>> System Restore can be run from the Win RE recovery environment from the
>> same
>> link as Startup Repair, and sometimes it will work from one F8 safe mode
>> location or from the Win Recovery Environment when it won't work from
>> other
>> locations.
>>
>> How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304449
>>
>> Good luck,
>>
>> CH
>>
>>
>>
>> "abbey" <> wrote in message
>> news:5D01833D-F3E0-4C86-B2F5-...
>> >I am Running Vista and tried to run system restore twice. I followed
>> >the
>> > directions and picked the recommended date.
>> >
>> > I get a message telling me that Windows failed to shut down and asks me
>> > to
>> > select safe mode or regular windows. I tried both, it seems to start
>> > up
>> > (I
>> > see a blue screen with "stuff" on it) but then the screen goes blank
>> > and
>> > the
>> > machine restarts. Upon restart I get a message that "system restore
>> > failed
>> > to complete".
>> >
>> > Any ideas? There seems to be very little about troubleshooting system
>> > restore anywhere. Thanks in advance.
>>
>>

Abbey--

I'm going to play the odds and assume you don't have Norton AV running which
can but doesn't have to be the cause for your error--but it's always
mentioned on forums and groups as a possible remedy for that error. The
error is not listed in MSFT's Knowledge Base at http://support.microsoft.com
where you can look up many errors and ways to do things with MSFT software,
and the SR team from MSFT has listed common errors but not yours here:

http://blogs.technet.com/filecab/pag...-problems.aspx

Again the key questions to get you to answer are

1) What were you trying to fix with System Restore in the first place?
2) Did System Restore fix that problem or didn't it?
3) Do you have a Vista DVD from which to run Startup Repair??? The DVD also
has an option to run system restore from it, and you can also access the cmd
prompt from it to run SR from the command prompt with the command I supplied
in my original post.

Good luck,

CH



"abbey" <> wrote in message
news:0EE5ECC8-FF5A-4E14-B54C-...
> Sorry for my lack of details..
> I mentioned Vista...I don't know why. That's the OS I'm using but duh, I
> guess I'd be posting elsewhere if I didn't. Anyway..
> I ran system restore from "regular" windows environment and once from Safe
> Mode. Each time I thought it was complete because the machine restarted
> and
> put me at my login screen. AFTER I log in, and the desktop is restored, a
> message comes up about the restore being incomplete.
>
> Another oddity - the system restore I did from Safe Mode doesn't show up
> in
> the list of operations. The other one I did (that supposedly didn't
> finish)
> is there. Is there a way to check to see if it really did "restore" and
> perhaps the error message i some fluke?
>
> Thanks-Abbey
>
> "Chad Harris" wrote:
>
>> Hi abbey--
>>
>> I'm a bit confused here. You say you tried to run system restore twice.
>> That implied you did it from Windows Vista. Then you said you can't boot
>> to
>> Vista on startup and you get a BSOD. And I assume after that when it
>> restarts you are getting that message that "system restore failed to
>> start"
>> but you're not up in Windows when you get it.
>>
>> Assuming that you have some restore points or at least one, depending on
>> whether you have a Vista DVD or not, I'd try these options. You have
>> several safe modes at the F8 menu, and one may work when another does
>> not,
>> and you also have Last Known Good Configuration on that menu.
>>
>> http://supcontent.gateway.com/suppor...ootOptions.gif
>>
>>
>> If you have a Vista DVD, you have the additional options of Startup
>> Repair
>> and also you can run system restore from that Recovery link as well.
>>
>> Instructions on how to do this are below:
>>
>> ***Startup Repair from the Vista DVD***
>>
>> How to Use The Vista DVD to Repair Vista (Startup Repair is misnamed by
>> the
>> Win RE team and it can be used to fix many Vista components even when you
>> ***can boot to Vista):
>>
>> http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
>>
>> If you elect to run Startup repair from the Vista DVD (it can fix major
>> components in Vista--I've verified this many many times; it's good for
>> more
>> than startup problems, and the Win RE team simply screwed up when they
>> named
>> it not understanding its full functionality):
>>
>> Startup Repair will look like this when you put in the Vista DVD:
>>
>> http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
>>
>> You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
>> also sometimes effective):
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us
>>
>> How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
>> http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
>>
>> It will automatically take you to this on your screen:
>>
>> http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
>>
>> That will allow you to go to the Vista setup that has a Repair link on
>> thelower left corner>click it and then you'll see a gray backgrounded
>> list
>> and I want you to click Startup Repair from it and follow the directions.
>>
>> The gray screen after you click the first link in the above pic will look
>> like this:
>>
>> http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winv...ir/Image17.gif
>>
>> Click Startup Repair, the link at the top and after it scans>click OK and
>> let it try to repair Vista. It will tell you if it does, and if it
>> doesn't, try System Restore from the Recovery Link on the DVD. If these
>> don't work booting into Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key and using System
>> Restore from one of the safe modes besides VGA may work. That means you
>> have the option to try 4 different safe modes to get to system restore,
>> (one
>> from the Recovery link on the DVD) and sometimes one will work when the
>> others won't.
>>
>>
>> You could also try a Repair Install with Vista which is done exactly the
>> same way as in XP:
>>
>> ***Repair Install Steps*** (can be used for Vista) MVP Doug Knox
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx
>>
>>
>> ***Using the F8 Environment***
>>
>> ***Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options
>> Menu)
>> by starting the PC and tapping F8 once per second when the firmware
>> screen
>> with the pc manufacturer's name shows a few seconds after restarting***:
>>
>> The F8 options in Vista are the same as XP, and the link for Safe Mode
>> Boot
>> options is labled XP by MSFT but they are the same for Vista (they
>> haven't
>> updated to add Vista to the title as they have with several MSKBs that
>> apply
>> to both).
>>
>> Again, pressing F8 repeatedly when you seem the firmware screen may be is
>> a
>> generic way to launch Windows RE on some OEM Vista computers.
>>
>> You could also:
>>
>> Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in
>> order.
>> 1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
>> prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
>> Configuration
>>
>>
>> Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
>> use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives
>> you a
>> choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
>> Prompt.
>>
>> These methods are outlined in
>>
>> A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
>>
>> Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../faqsrwxp.mspx
>>
>> System Restore can be run from the Win RE recovery environment from the
>> same
>> link as Startup Repair, and sometimes it will work from one F8 safe mode
>> location or from the Win Recovery Environment when it won't work from
>> other
>> locations.
>>
>> How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304449
>>
>> Good luck,
>>
>> CH
>>
>>
>>
>> "abbey" <> wrote in message
>> news:5D01833D-F3E0-4C86-B2F5-...
>> >I am Running Vista and tried to run system restore twice. I followed
>> >the
>> > directions and picked the recommended date.
>> >
>> > I get a message telling me that Windows failed to shut down and asks me
>> > to
>> > select safe mode or regular windows. I tried both, it seems to start
>> > up
>> > (I
>> > see a blue screen with "stuff" on it) but then the screen goes blank
>> > and
>> > the
>> > machine restarts. Upon restart I get a message that "system restore
>> > failed
>> > to complete".
>> >
>> > Any ideas? There seems to be very little about troubleshooting system
>> > restore anywhere. Thanks in advance.
>>
>>

Hi abbey,

It sounds as though you might have a corrupted restore point which is
preventing system restore from completing properly. Try restarting using the
option 'Last Known Good Configuration' and if you manage to log on without
problems then go into system restore, turn it off (this will delete all
restore points) and then turn it back on again. Manually create a restore
point. If this fails, then you might need to reinstall Vista. Before you do
this, you might like to save any important files to a writeable CD or DVD or,
if you have one, to an external hard drive. These can then be restored once
you have reinstalled Vista.
Dwarf


"abbey" wrote:

> I am Running Vista and tried to run system restore twice. I followed the
> directions and picked the recommended date.
>
> I get a message telling me that Windows failed to shut down and asks me to
> select safe mode or regular windows. I tried both, it seems to start up (I
> see a blue screen with "stuff" on it) but then the screen goes blank and the
> machine restarts. Upon restart I get a message that "system restore failed
> to complete".
>
> Any ideas? There seems to be very little about troubleshooting system
> restore anywhere. Thanks in advance.

Hi Dwarf--

If LKG were successful, she wouldn't need to use a restore point. Restore
points are most often corrupted by dirty shut downs, and I doubt if the new
VSS system in Vista changes that much.

Manually creating a restore point might help insure that if they were
corrupted before, future points would not be, however it's not going to help
to fix the mysterious and unrevealed problem that SR was being deployed to
fix in the first place since any manually created restore points will be
from the date created.

If the Vista DVD were available, Startup Repair or a Repair Install might
fix whatever the problem is as two options that would not require backing up
(which is always something that should be mandatory) and reinstalling the
entire OS.

CH


"Dwarf" <> wrote in message
news:00C4AE56-140B-4CA5-914D-...
> Hi abbey,
>
> It sounds as though you might have a corrupted restore point which is
> preventing system restore from completing properly. Try restarting using
> the
> option 'Last Known Good Configuration' and if you manage to log on without
> problems then go into system restore, turn it off (this will delete all
> restore points) and then turn it back on again. Manually create a restore
> point. If this fails, then you might need to reinstall Vista. Before you
> do
> this, you might like to save any important files to a writeable CD or DVD
> or,
> if you have one, to an external hard drive. These can then be restored
> once
> you have reinstalled Vista.
> Dwarf
>
>
> "abbey" wrote:
>
>> I am Running Vista and tried to run system restore twice. I followed the
>> directions and picked the recommended date.
>>
>> I get a message telling me that Windows failed to shut down and asks me
>> to
>> select safe mode or regular windows. I tried both, it seems to start up
>> (I
>> see a blue screen with "stuff" on it) but then the screen goes blank and
>> the
>> machine restarts. Upon restart I get a message that "system restore
>> failed
>> to complete".
>>
>> Any ideas? There seems to be very little about troubleshooting system
>> restore anywhere. Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone,

I think you are getting a bit confused between Last Known Good Configuration
(LKGC) and system restore. Both of these, and also driver rollback, can
restore functionality to your system. Indeed, both LKGC and driver rollback
can be considered to be a subset of system restore. You can roll back a
driver to the previous version if the current one is giving problems, you can
use LKGC (which actually affects only the registry; it loads the copy of the
registry that is saved automatically following a successful startup), or you
can use system restore if you need to go further back in time. If none of
these work and you are unable to solve your problem then you might have to
reinstall windows. Please refer to my previous post in this thread for more
information.
Dwarf

"Chad Harris" wrote:

> Hi Dwarf--
>
> If LKG were successful, she wouldn't need to use a restore point. Restore
> points are most often corrupted by dirty shut downs, and I doubt if the new
> VSS system in Vista changes that much.
>
> Manually creating a restore point might help insure that if they were
> corrupted before, future points would not be, however it's not going to help
> to fix the mysterious and unrevealed problem that SR was being deployed to
> fix in the first place since any manually created restore points will be
> from the date created.
>
> If the Vista DVD were available, Startup Repair or a Repair Install might
> fix whatever the problem is as two options that would not require backing up
> (which is always something that should be mandatory) and reinstalling the
> entire OS.
>
> CH
>
>
> "Dwarf" <> wrote in message
> news:00C4AE56-140B-4CA5-914D-...
> > Hi abbey,
> >
> > It sounds as though you might have a corrupted restore point which is
> > preventing system restore from completing properly. Try restarting using
> > the
> > option 'Last Known Good Configuration' and if you manage to log on without
> > problems then go into system restore, turn it off (this will delete all
> > restore points) and then turn it back on again. Manually create a restore
> > point. If this fails, then you might need to reinstall Vista. Before you
> > do
> > this, you might like to save any important files to a writeable CD or DVD
> > or,
> > if you have one, to an external hard drive. These can then be restored
> > once
> > you have reinstalled Vista.
> > Dwarf
> >
> >
> > "abbey" wrote:
> >
> >> I am Running Vista and tried to run system restore twice. I followed the
> >> directions and picked the recommended date.
> >>
> >> I get a message telling me that Windows failed to shut down and asks me
> >> to
> >> select safe mode or regular windows. I tried both, it seems to start up
> >> (I
> >> see a blue screen with "stuff" on it) but then the screen goes blank and
> >> the
> >> machine restarts. Upon restart I get a message that "system restore
> >> failed
> >> to complete".
> >>
> >> Any ideas? There seems to be very little about troubleshooting system
> >> restore anywhere. Thanks in advance.
>
>