Windows 7: System Restore Failed.

System Restore will not create a restore point or restore to a previous date & time.

The error message was: A restore point could not be created: An error was detected in the Volume Shadow Copy Server (VSS).The problem occurred while trying to contact VSS writers. Verify that the Event System Sevice and the VSS service are running & check for associated errors in the event logs (0x80042318).

Volume Shadow Copy is started & running (done in system events).
Event System Sevice and the VSS service are started and running. But no cigar, SR still broken.



Please help me get it up and working again. It's saved my bacon many times before.

Thank you in advance.

Are you able to run system restore from safe mode?
Also Right-click on Computer
select Properties
Click on the Advanced
system settings
Select the System
Protection tab and make sure that you've it enabled on the drive you wish to run system restore on. And that you've sufficient space for the point to be made.
See if the post #4 helps- System Restore VSS Error

I tried to run SR in safe mode, I couldn't even see SR from there, let alone use it.

System Protection is set to run on my only hard drive (c.

I was able to use System Restore last month, don't know what happened between then and now to break it.

Have you tried the post #4 from the link i posted at bottom of my previous post ?

Is there a listing in System Protection for C (Recovered) or C (Missing)? This requires special steps.

Click in SysProtection on Configure and see how much drive space is apportioned to Restore Points. I set my installs at 20%.

Turn it off and then on again to see if it will begin saving points and use them.

If not run SFC -SCANNOW Command

Yes! I tried the post. Been there, done that. Still no cigar.

I've found additional information concerning System Restore.

In Event Viewer: Error:8193. Failed to create restore point (Process=C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\ Windows Live\cache\15d90cff1cd084205\DXSETUP.exe Files (x86)\Common Files\ WindowsLive\cache\115d90cff1cd084205\DXSETUP.exe /silent.
Description: Installed Directx=Error=0x80042318

Error- System Restore Event ID8211 - The scheduled restore point could not be create 0x80042318
and this:
Failed to create a restore point (Process=C:\Windows\system 32) rundll32.exe/d srstr.dll, ExecuteScheduledSSP Creation; Description: Scheduled. Checkpoint; Error - 0x8001-2318.

Error- 4/13/2012 7:46AM Source: VSS Event ID: 12347
An internal inconsistency was detected in trying to contact shadow copy service writers. Check to see that the Event Service and Volume Shadow Copy Service are operating properly and please check the Application Event log for any other events.

I hope this helps someone figure out 'How to fix System Restore'.

Duchess

There seems to be some problem with srstr.dll which is a component of system restore.
Have you followed Greg's post above? If not, please do so and post the results.
While we are at it, is there any other srstr.dll file in C:\Windows\SysWOW64\

You're so right about their being a problem, srstr.dll is not listed on my computer. I searched for it using Windows Search and my third party search 'Agent Ransack.' Is there any way the missing dll file can be replaced?

The settings for System Protection - System Restore is as follows: Recovery - On,
OS(C (System) On. Configure Usage: 2.47 GB Max Usage: 20% (2.93 GB)

I found under System Protection for Recovery: Only restore previous version of files was on (how this was selected I have no idea) but I changed it to Restore System Settings and previous versions of files. I deleted all restore points and then turned System Restore off, clicked ok, and turned it back on. System Restore was run again, but the same error message appeared.

I also used SFC /Scan now, it found no problems with SR, just a small amount of unimportant stuff. Using Safe Mode, I could not find SR.

I hope this report satisfied all questions, if not, please ask again.

Work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums