My friends (a couple) recently purchased a new Dell computer with XP Home Edition installed. When I worked on their computer recently (getting rid of spyware), I noticed that the System Restore option is non-functional on the computer, though C drive Monitoring has been active (since the 'puter was set up in their home).

No matter what checkpoint I tried using as the restoration point, it wouldn't work.

Is there some type proprietary rights that Dell 'puters have that would have caused this?

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!

Yep a 2nd system protection program would do it. geez! talk about gouging. glad you got it fixed. I tried norton system works years ago, but didn't care for it. I do like symantec av stand alone though.

I also like some of the NSW features, Dorry. Actually, the same one you like . I used to run two AV apps. - as a layered approach; some say that that can't be done. I found it can, only Norton as to be installed in a certain sequence; I can't remember whether it's before or after another AV app.

These days, though, I use individual AV tools as they are released by Bit Defender in addition to running Norton "full-time."

Years ago, on an older computer, a colleague accidentally tranferred a virus to it. He continuously assured that he didn't and had no virus on his machine. Well, as it turned out he had a host of viruses that Norton didn't detect when run internally. It was only by using Symantec's online "security check" that the viruses were picked up.

As I'm sure you know as well: No AV is 100 percent fail proof. Still, Norton does a fair job.


One good thing came from this recent prob.: I learned how to fix it and was able to share it. Soooo, if anyone else encounters the same, well, no one will be doling out such a costly amt. to remedy it .