Cannot Create a System Restore Point

Lately, when I try to access the System Restore menu (Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore), the mouse cursor turns into an hourglass for a couple of seconds and then returns back to an arrow. Nothing happens.

What could be wrong and how do I go about solving this problem?

 

bncooper, Welcome aboard the BBS Forum.

Sounds like System Restore may be turned Off.
Start > Right Click:My Computer > Click on Properties, Select System Restore Tab, Uncheck Turn Off System Restore

 

Nope. Turn Off System Restore already unckecked.

Must be something else.

 

See if there's anything here that'll help:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_restore.htm

And Here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=831829

 

bncooper--Or http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;302796
If you do not mind losing all the System Restore points you now have, a quick fix for System Restore often is to turn System Restore OFF, Reboot, turn System Restore back on and create a System Restore point.
BUT any problem you are trying to fix by going to System Restore? Perhaps we should be focussing on solving that problem first.

 

irdreed and Welshjim,

I have tried all the stuff suggested in your posts above. But still nothing. System Restore Service is running. Registry Key is set to 'zero'. Everything checks out. I even performed a complete virus scan of the hard drive. I use Antivir (Free Edition). Do you think it is time to format the hard drive and make a fresh start.

I am happy to do that, but knowing the cause of the problem will be a bonus.

 

know this doesnt help much but i had the same problem and had to re install xp. Does help and support work?

 

OK, I found out what it was. Some time ago, I had used the Analog X program DLL Archive. That program had wiped out most of my DLLs, calling them unused DLLs. Luckily, that process could be reversed. So, I have everything back, including the DLLs that are really unused.

Does anybody know of any software that will remove genuinely unused DLLs only? This Analog X DLL Archive seems to be doing more harm than good.

My aplologies to all the people who scratched their heads in order to solve my problem.

 

bncooper--Thanks so much for posting the reason for your problem.
It is hard to know what to say. Programs that claim to find and delete unused/duplicate programs are always dangerous. One way to protect yourself is either to backup your Registry and/or put the "deleted" files somewhere they can be restored (within a reasonable period of time) if you run into problems. Have you ever totalled the amount of hard drive space that will be saved by deleting those unused/duplicate .dll file? It may not be worth the possible aggravation.
However, if you still want to do this
http://www.google.com/search?source...GGLD,GGLD:2004-31,GGLD:en&q=remove+unused+dll
And the people that run this BBS offer Registry First Aid. I have used it--so far without problems.
http://www.rosecitysoftware.com/reg1aid/
Just remember the idea of backing up/storing the deleted files until you know they really are not needed.

 

Thanks Jim,

I think I'll take your advice and just keep the unused DLLs. No sense in agonising over them.

Have a nice day.