Resolved When does XP create a Restore Point?

Hi all,

I'm having a problem with System Restore Points in that only one point is saved "” and, no, I haven't changed any settings.

So, I was wondering when XP decides to create a RP (other than when installing\deleting programs and a Restore Point is created)?

I've searched the Google and I've read that it's anywhere from 24 hours of idle time to when you shut down.

 

Never mind. Evan has you covered, which is a good thing cause I didn't read this post correctly anyway. So sorry.

howdy jpChris,
For the archives and shared in an effort not to have posted an empty handed thread here.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...w_03may19.mspx

 

to add to my shame and embarrasment I have double posted. Crappppp!

 

@ Goddez1,

S' OK. I asked about how to delete a post that I'd made a mistake in and found out I couldn't. Oh, well.

@ Evan,

I've got my size set to 4% (232MB) and it's been that way for years. I've always had at least 4 restore points because my RPs are anywhere from 39MB to 42MB historically.

As far as the 24 hour thingy, I've never had my computer on for 24 hours. I use it, click my screen saver when I'm going to be away, and it's autoset to go into Standby mode after one hour. Again, it's been this way with no problems for years.

@ Arie,

Used = 3.0 GB; Free = 4.5GB. I've read that Windows needs at least 200MB free, but I've got that covered by 4.3GB.

Here's what I'm thinking: When I got the Desktop Security bug, I ran a lot of cleaning programs and one (or more) made changes to my system that I didn't want: Namely "” no Autorun (amongst others).

I'm also thinking that SR in the registry got munged somehow; maybe by the bug?

Do think a SysRestore repair is in order? I've got the "rstrui.exe" file in System32\DLLCache folder and in System32\Restore folder. I also have a Kelly's-Korner link.

 

Hi Evan,

I've already turned SysRest off an on several times — no joy.

And as far as increasing the size, I've had it at 4% for about 6 or 7 years now. Why\What would make it go wonky?

 

Nope. The only "changes" I made were running programs to clean the Desktop Security bug a couple of months ago.

I checked Kelly's-Korner for SysRest and the .reg files on her site match what's already there in my Registry.

I increased my RP size to 344MB; we'll see if that makes a difference.

@Arie,

I've got a 120GB drive in 3 partitions — with C: set to 7.5GB — for a reason: If I catch a "bug ", it'll be on the C drive. Also, all scans, defrags, etc., go much quicker looking through 3GB rather than 65GB (total of C:, D:, and E).

Plus, I don't need GB's of Restore Points. I always try out everything on my "Breakme" drive first; if "it" works and\or I like it, I'll do it on my main drive.

I really don't need more than 4 or 5 Restore Points: consecutively. And that's what I'm trying to dope out — how to get consecutive RP's.

Anyone know of a .VBS script that will auto create a RP on startup?

 

This should do the trick.

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/createrp.htm

 

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the link. I increased my RP allotment and created the .VBS file and put it in my Startup Folder.

I'll check it for a few days to make sure it's behaving.

Thanks, again, Mark.

 

Your welcome

 

After monitoring my RPs for several days it was still wonky. When I used the "createrp" app it would create a RP, but, MS would add one also.

So, some days I'd have one RP and some days I'd have 2.

I finally got tired of fooling around with it and did what I should have done in the first place: Turn off SysRestore, reboot, re-enable, then do a repair\install of SR.SYS.

Now my RPs are being saved "” although not daily. I've got the 22nd through the 25th, but not the 26th nor today (27th)(so far, anyway).

I'll continue to monitor "it" for the next few days and if it appears to be behaving, I'll mark this as "Resolved ".

Otherwise I'll be back with more misbehavior info.

 

Update

Well, System Restore seems to be working correctly after reinstalling it. My RP's are being saved according to the amount of time I have the computer on. A RP will be saved on Monday, but if I only have the computer on for a few hours, another RP won't be created until Wednesday "” which is OK.

However, when I do a Windows Cleanup and I tick the box for "Delete all but the most recent RP" it deletes all but the day before.

Should I star another thread asking if there's a registry tweak that will delete all but the last two RPs?

 

Hey All,
Many thanks for this discussion.... I've been ignoring this feature for a while now.
With all the apps and system changes most folks go through on a regular basis, I'm setting up a weekly schedule to keep this feature "clean ".

 

JpChris, sounds like it is all working how it should.

Not sure if this is possible but if you only want to keep the last two RP's you may be able to reduce the allocated drive space so that it only has room to save two RP's

 

Hi Mark,

Now that it's behaving, I'll cut back on the percentage to about 5% or so. I really don't need a dozen or more RPs.

I'd just like to know if I can save 2 RPs during a clean-up? — New post?