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Hi, I have NEVER been able to do a system restore on my Lenova laptop with XPpro. Have tried suggestions that said to turn off protection for norton products (I have NAV2008). Even did a system restore reset. None of this works. Any other suggestions? Set up new restore points, still doesn’t work.
As I have never been able to restore, I reset it yesterday, made my own checkpoint, and still cannot restore to that point. I haven’t put SP3 on, as I wanted to make sure I could restore if it gave me problems.
Two,
I have installed SP3 on over a dozen computers. Not a single one has had a problem as a result. In fact, all have shown improvement in their speed and behavior.
I have tried the installations two different ways:
1. Not making any adjustments
2. Turning off antivirus
Both worked fine. It seemed to go faster with the AV off.
If you need to uninstall SP3, don't use System Restore -- I doubt that Windows would let you. Use the ADD/REMOVE SOFTWARE component of the control panel. Even better, make a computer image of your entire system (if you have the software) before installing SP3 and use that to restore the original state.
Now, a caveat. If you have freaky (nonstandard software) on your computer, you might want to uninstall those products before installing SP3. To me, freaky software is software that essential usurps the operating system and tries to make it something it was neither designed to do nor wants to do. If a piece of software is already in near combat with XP SP2, then it will probably fight the installation of XP SP3.
This is all supposition on my part. I haven't encountered anything like this. As I said above, all the SP3 installations I have implemented have gone smoothly and with zero regrets. They are all in place today and no client (or family member) has had a word of complaint.
Hi nhtwo,
Can you tell us the exact message you get when the System Restore fails?
Thanks.
Thanks Mijcar,
As far as I know I do not have the software to make a computer image; I am relatively new and not very comfortable making changes unless I have someone around to assist me if things go haywire. I am on our way to AZ for the winter where there is a computer club., Maybe I'll try to install SP3 there. Any other hints since I can't do an image? 
Hi Phil,
Message says "restoration incomplete. Your computer cannot be restored to... try another restore point...
Another restore point doesn't work either.
All computers now come with a means of restoring the original factory image. I am fairly certain yours does do. Some require you to use CDs and DVDs to create a backup set of your system. You will see that offered among the program list, probably under the name of your computer. Once you find it, it will be pretty obvious and should walk you through the process pretty easily. Make the backup disks if you have that option. They can save your butt!
Being able to restore a computer to its original condition leaves you with two concerns:
1. Being able to restore any software that you are now using that didn't come on board your computer.
2. All data of yours (music, photos, email, address books, tax statements, documents, etc.)
So, one at a time.
1. Restoring software should be easy. You should have installers for all such software (both on the original disk and on some backup disk you created or on a memory stick -- all CD installers are equally useful when copied to a memory stick, except for ones that require being booted at power on.) Sometimes, you will be asked to verify the reinstallation by calling customer service.
Notable exception. Some Adobe products (in particular, Adobe Acrobat) limit the number of computers you are installed on and actually check they number. If you have one of these, there is an unregister product option available among the program menus and (in case you forget) during an uninstall process. Fortunately, you only need unregister the product in order to reinstall it elsewhere or elsewhen. But if you find yourself needing to retore your original system, make sure you unregister Adobe Acrobat and any other piece of software that has that option (I know of known outside the Adobe family).
2. Backing up data is absolutely vital and something you MUST be doing regardless of what your expectations are about your computer health and safety. Someone broke into our home three years ago and stole (among other things) both our laptops. It was my own fault, but the theft was devastating. I had put off data backup for one reason or another -- none of them particularly good -- on my own machine for over six weeks; and on my wife's for three weeks. Rebuilding her data wasn't bad. But I lost irreplaceable photographs and essays. No excuses: I was lazy and stupid. But at least I was capable of learning.
The cheapest-combined-with-easiest method of backup is a little piece of software called Winzip Pro. You can get it on their site at www.winzip.com. It has a scripted program (only in the professional version) that allows you (using their wizard) to make automatic backups on a regular basis of anything you haven't already backed up.
More expensive and a tiny bit easier is Norton's 360 or Save & Restore. S&R will even make an image of your computer, but I have never tested its reliability in terms of reimaging your computer should you need it.
Cheapest but somewhat of a pain is just finding the stuff you need and copying it.
Whatever it is, you need to know where it is.
Write a list of things you know are important. Refer to list above. Find out where they are. If you use Office Outlook, they have a great export program in their file menu. Use it. It's easy to understand and will save everything that is important in that area.
AOL offers a storage locker online for free for anyone with an AOL email address (xdrive). It will hold about 5 Gigs. It's great and easy. Use it or one of the other free services. Also use memory sticks; they're cheap and reliable. CD's hold less and take more space. DVD's are good. Offsite storage is better but less convenient then onsite, so use both. Zip your stuff to take up less space.
Also, Windows has a migration wizard in its accessories (in Programs) that will save settings and Outlook data. It's useful and easy to use. Although I have seldom found it necessary if I did the other backup stuff.
Thanks for your suggestions; I do back up my pics and docs (not as often as I should, probably) and will look at what you have suggested. Just finished backups of photos in prep for trip.
How far back in time have you been trying to go?
Once there is a significant change in a program structure (for instance, an update to the Norton engine), a system restore would create more problems than it would probably solve. I think these are automatically blocked.