create a restore point error

hi
For some reason I am unable to restore my system
When I tried to create a restore point I got a message saying it had
failed. I have been googling all afternoon for a fix.
Anyone know what the problem might be & how to fix please?
using win7 home premium

 

Lack of space on the system drive can cause that.
Another thing to try is turning off System Restore, then turning
it back on. If all else fails, do a malware scan as these often
mess with System Restore to prevent it from effectively uninstalling
them.

 

Hi Rob
84gig free on C drive
Turned system restore off, re-booted, turned system restore on again
no change
Did a malware scan before I received your reply found 2 suspects
re-booted again no change

 

When all else fails, it's always worth running sfc /scannow from a
command prompt. It might fix the problem.

 

Thanks Jeff
How do I do that?

 

Hi Martin,

You need to get a command window open. Click Start>Run then type
cmd and hit enter.
If you don't have the Run command on your Start menu (usually below
Help and Support), right-click the Start button and select Properties
then hit the 'Customize' tab.
Scroll down the list and put a tick in the 'Run command' box.

Once you have a (black background) command window open, you can type
sfc /scannow
which will start the system file checker. You may be asked to insert
the original windows CD you used to install it.

HTH,

 

May be a little easier to type cmd in the Start menu search box, and hit
the enter key, then follow your second paragraph

 

Thank you Rob & Jeff
One learns something new every day

 

Hi Rob & Jeff
Finished running sfc/scannow & got a message saying that problems were
found & fixed. however, when I tried to create a restore point the
fault message returned?

 

What is the exact wording of the error message you are getting?

This is from:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...-failing/cb21fa82-b772-4238-868d-18ec25dee7d4

You need to check that something called the Volume Shadow Copy service
is running. In the Start "Search" box, type services. The search
should highlight "Services" If it is highlighted, press the "Enter" key
or double click on the word "Services". After a few seconds a list
called "Services (Local)" will appear in a new window. Scroll down and
find "Volume Shadow Copy". What does it say in the "Status" and
"Startup Type" columns?

If it shows Stopped, right-click Volume Shadow Copy, and then click
Start and set it to Automatic.

Repeat the above for the Windows Installer service.

Close the Services window you have opened.

Now try to create a system restore point.

If the above doesn't help, sorry, but I am out of ideas. :-(

 

Hi Jeff
Error detected in volume shadow copy service VSS.
Problem occured while trying to contact VSS writers.
Verify event system service service & VSS service are running & check
errors in event logs 0x80042318

Mine were set to stop & manual

Did that too

Did that but got the same error message!!
I did notice in msconfig that selective startup was selected
But I am unable to change to 'normal', when I do select 'normal' and
click apply it jumps back to selective?
Now to find out how to fix!!

 

One or two other things to check.

You previously posted that you turned system restore off and then back
on. In the System Properties | System Protection | Protection Settings
box, did you check that the "Available Drives" you were trying to set a
restore point on had "Protection" set to "On"?

I'm not sure that it matters, but are you running an administrator
account when you try to create a restore point?

Also see here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/223757-system-restore-failed.html

Trouble is, at the top of page 3 it seems that only a repair install
fixed the problem!

There is an interesting solution - for Vista - here:
http://forums.techarena.in/operating-systems/1127680.htm
(see penultimate post by Lillebror)

I have no idea whether or not it would work for Win7 (or what damage it
might do!).

If you find the solution please post it here to assist others.

 

Hi Jeff
Tried the Vista solution, but it didn't work. I don't think it has
done any damage

Will do

Thank you very much for sticking with me Jeff

You are not- going to believe what is happening now
I am getting a message saying my copy of windows in NOT genuine"£$%^&!
"I do not believe it" That is what I get buying a 2nd hand laptop"
Perhaps this is the cause of all my problems

 

Hi, Martin.

Could very well be!

Did you wipe the hard disk of EVERYTHING and reformat before you put
anything important on it? If not, you have no way to know what garbage the
previous owner may have installed - or allowed to be installed.

Where did you get your copy of Windows? Was it pre-installed on that
laptop? If so, then you have no good way to know if it was pirated by some
previous user. You may need to buy a new retail copy of Windows - unless
you already own one.

If you post the make and model of your laptop, perhaps someone here can tell
you how to restore it to factory original condition.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP (2002-2010)
Windows Live Mail 2011 (Build 15.4.3555.0308) in Win8 (Release Preview)


"Martin ©¿©¬" wrote in message

Hi Jeff
Tried the Vista solution, but it didn't work. I don't think it has
done any damage

Will do

Thank you very much for sticking with me Jeff

You are not- going to believe what is happening now
I am getting a message saying my copy of windows in NOT genuine"£$%^&!
"I do not believe it" That is what I get buying a 2nd hand laptop"
Perhaps this is the cause of all my problems

 

More than likely, I'm afraid. Who knows what malware or corrupted files
are on the disk?

Might be a good time to try dual booting with a linux distro, or you can
spend some money on a genuine Win7 install.

 

Hi RC
My copy of windows - 7 home premium 64 bit was pre-installed
I have a couple of retail copies but not home premium which would not
necessitate a re-format

My laptop is a Samsung RC520 which has a restore function included,
but I was hoping not to have to go that route as Windows Easy Transfer
makes a mess of Outlook Contacts