shouldn't matter that its a dell. I assume you're clicking on highlighted dates in the calendar, so I'd double check the alloted space for backups on the monitoring tab, make sure the system restore service is running and set on automatic, if she has service pack 2, make sure (slim chance) DEP on the advanced tab of system properties>performance>settings > data execution properties hasn't added the service.....

boot to safe mode and try to run restore from there. Other than that, I can't think of anything, or than corrupt restore points. Delete them all and create a new one and try to run it.

here's some more xp sys restore troubleshooting tips for M$

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302796

Affirmative, Dorry .

I'm versed in doing restore, and did click on the dates that appear as valid checkpoints on the 'puter. But, that doesn't work. It goes through the stages of appearing to do a restore, yet on reboot it states that it was unsuccessful in restoration.

Space allocated is fine, too.

The rest will have to be done by my friends; their in NV and I'm in CA.

Thank you for the suggestions, Dorry, and also for the link. I'll pass along the ideas you've offered and see what happens.

good luck with it. I've had it happen to me before and ended up reformatting it to fix it, among other probs at the time. Being a new computer, one of those fixes should work, unless Dell loaded a corrupt image (unlikely).

is this system restore something i should be doing something about?

Annie, I wouldn't do a restore unless a computer running on XP needs setting to a point prior to when a 'puter prob. started. It's a rollback to an earlier date and time when things worked well.

Anyone who does so (uses System Restore), though, should save important info. before using the function or option.

I discovered the problem with System Restore; it was also on my computer and I realized it when I went to do a restoration (after installing a MS program that didn't do as I had anticipated). My System Restore wasn't working no matter what I tried; I'm on a HP (and my friends' 'puter, a Dell).

The thing our computers have in common? Norton SystemWorks (NSW).

The Fix?

Open NSW; select Options; choose Norton AntiVirus; pick Miscellaneous; and, uncheck "Turn protection on for my Symantec product."

After a restoration is complete, go back to NSW, and re-check "Turn protection on for my Symantec product."

Works beautifully .

No wonder (Symantec) Norton offered to "fix" my friends' computer and its System Restore... for the bargain basement rate of $1,500 . No need to pay them!