System Restore does not Work

System Restore is a component of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. If a computer becomes unstable while downloading games or a software due to a virus attack or any other reason, System Restore can resolve the problem by taking the computer back to a prior check point. In case of a system failure, the System Restore provides you an opportunity to roll back the registry keys and system files to a previous check point. It performs a vital function of saving snapshots or restore points of your system settings and files. On noticing a significant change in the file or application structure, System Restore creates restore points on its own. In Windows Vista, Shadow technology is used to create restore points. Problems can arise if System Restore does not work. Here's some information on what to do when System Restore is not working.

System Restore Problems

At times, System Restore service does not work in Vista, Windows XP or Windows 7 because of insufficient hard disk space. At least 200 MB of free hard disk space is required for System Restore to function properly. This space is required for storing the data gathered for the restore points. If the disk space is less, System Restore will be disabled. Once the space required for the data is available, System Restore starts saving and creating the restore points until this space is full.

When all the space gets used up, it starts overwriting, starting with the most recent data. Another cause for System Restore not working might be a virus attack. Sometimes restore points get corrupted due to computer viruses or an anti-virus software, therefore, you must make sure that you are using an effective anti-virus program.

How to Solve this Problem

System Restore gets disabled either due to a lack of disk space or due to registry changes made by certain viruses. In case, System Restore doesn't work when you boot normally, you can try to restore your computer in safe mode. Do you know how to boot in Safe Mode? Well, it's simple, You just need to tap the F8 button while your PC is booting up. Once you select the option that allows you to start your computer in Safe Mode, see if System Restore works. Though this might help, at times System Restore may not work in safe mode also.

Under such circumstances, the best option would be to try using System Restore disk. If you have a System Restore disk in your optical drive when your computer boots, the computer must boot to the restore disk, and not to your hard drive. You will need to make some adjustments in the BIOS (Basic Input/Output Settings) so that your computer boots from the restore disk. This will lead you to System Restore disk menu. Follow the instructions to perform a System Restore. In case Windows XP System Restore is not working, you can boot your system from your Windows XP CD. To boot from the CD drive, make adjustments to BIOS. Put the XP CD in the drive and restart your computer. Once your computer boots up, you need to look for 'Automated System Recovery' at the screen. A scan will start and this program will find the required files from your XP CD. You will have to reboot your computer. After the reconfiguration of the system files, System Restore will start working again.

This was some information on System Restore. So, the next time you find that System Restore is not working, do a disk cleanup, check the antivirus software or try the given instructions to solve the problem.