Using System Restore??

Hi, I was wondering if I have downloaded a corrupt file or a virus or such,and if I do System Restore to a date before the problem will it over ride the problem and set the PC as it was before or will the problem ( once installed ) still be in the system .
Also could I reinstall XP Pro again over the top of the one in there? and could I install a later version of XP Pro over the top of the one I have now.
Sorry for all the question but the Forum has solved a few problems for me in the past. Cheers De s.

 

Hello demon,

if I do System Restore to a date before the problem will it over ride the problem and set the PC as it was before or will the problem ( once installed ) still be in the system .
Yes, if you know what that date is and is a file monitored by SR http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/sr/sr/monitored_file_extensions.asp

Also could I reinstall XP Pro again over the top of the one in there? and could I install a later version of XP Pro over the top of the one I have now.
I assume "later" means with Service Packs added, yes http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm a repair install, because that's what you're going to be doing.

Be careful you don't end up doing a parallel install HTTP://HTTP.windows reinstall.com/winsome/winsome/index.HTML

Regards - Charles

 

demon--Is there any reason you do not want to use the specialized malware detectors and removal programs such as those mentioned here?
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=37074
I do not believe I have seen a recommendation to use System Restore to get rid of a virus. In fact the most common suggestion is the reverse--to delete all System Restore points and then use a virus/spyware/malware remover to get rid of the baddies.
http://www.pchell.com/virus/systemrestore.shtml
Maybe charlesvar can elaborate on his answer to you, which seems to suggest to the contrary.
At first glance it would seem logical that System Restore could do the job, but I believe malware can install install in places that SR may not affect. That is probably what charlesvar meant by "what that date is and is a file monitored by SR ".
In any event, you would want to delete all System Restore points created after the infection entered your PC. Per the pchell article, usually the best way of doing that is to remove all System Restore points by turning SR off and rebooting. Then turn on SR again and start accumulating new SR points.
Maybe you should wait for further advice from charlesvar.

 

Hi Jim,

but I believe malware can install install in places that SR may not affect. That is probably what charlesvar meant by "what that date is and is a file monitored by SR ".
Yes, you're right - Demon should keep those two factors mind.

Your steps are certainly the normal way to proceed - but, I have to disagree with the common wisdom about automatically (w/o thinking about it) wiping out RP's before solving the problem on live files - it should be done afterwards. And the reason for that is that the "cure" might in some cases be worse than the disease or there is a larger system problem and with the absence of restore points to go back to - you're SOL.

As far as I know, malware as of now cannot execute from SR's files. So that gives the user the chance to clean up "live" files or to, as in Demon's case, go back to an RP that he knows is clean. And then at some future point, can clean out the RP's.

Regards - Charles

 

Hi, thanks fella's for your reply's. I have printed them to try later.
Actually what happened was that I down loaded " Photo Story 3 for Windows" about 3 weeks ago and have been using it for a while , then the other day I tried to download another program from Microsoft and it would not let me , it said I had the wrong code number??? & since then I cant use Photo Story.It tells me the same thing. It is still there but it won't open, can they switch things off in my P.C.?
I bought the PC s/hand with XP Pro on it.???
That is why I asked the question about "System Restore ", I have never used it but a friend deleted some programs ( instead of the files) and he just went back 2 days and did a restore and they all came back.
Thanks again "D "

 

From what you write, then use SR to restore just prior to the other day , before you tried the MS program and the trouble strated.

BTW, what MS program did you download?

Regards - Charles

 

Thanks Charles. I will give it a go. It was Media Player 10 that I tried to download , I was going to load it on to my Smart drive and put it on my friends PC as his is dead slow. we were going to do it on his but it was going to take 55 mins. Thanks again Des.

 

Hi, Charles, Success , I burnt of all my latest gear etc, because I had to go back to 30/10/05 But it didn't take any EMails etc only changed the programs , it's all working again. Thanks to all who helped. BBS does it again. Cheers Des.

 

Hi Demon, thanks for the post back, much appreciated

Regars - Charles