Desperately need stability- suggestions?

I'm disabled, very dependent on a computer. But, even tho, over the years, my skill level has risen, my frustration hasn't correspondingly dropped.
Simply put, i find XP and its face-lifted child, Windows 7, very buggy. Sexy chassis, junk engine under the hood. My last straw- today it deleted a 600Gb hard drive [unrecoverable of course]. A normal experience for me [random deletions etc. etc. etc. etc.]. Maybe i'm just getting old, but i can't do this **** any more.

I'm thinking of going Chromebook [shudder] but i'm hoping somebody can recommend some kind of software that will do what Restore Point claims to do, an app to snapshot my configuration, save to DVD or USB, and instantly plus reliably restore my configuration.
I think i also need a virtualization app that'll allow me to install and try new apps without actually changing my system config. [Yes, Sandboxie does that, but only if app than auto-launches after install.]

Canadian user, on knees [Bill Gates is under Darth Vader's face mask!]

Skeleton walks into a bar, orders a beer and a mop.

Thanx Yard Dog- I'm sure this will help, but, core as the registry is, i think you'll agree there are a boatload of other things that can, and frequently do, go wrong...

I have extensive experience with Windows 98, Windows 2000, XP, and Windows 7. Windows 98 had it's problems but these were primarily due to it's hybrid 16 bit and 32 bit nature. A primary design goal was 100% compatibility with 16 bit applications, even those that violated established rules. That compatibility required many compromises with reliability.

The NT platform was designed for reliability without the severe 16 bit compatibility constraints. In my experience it has been so. Very few problems and those that occurred were usually solved with minimal difficulty. These systems were worked hard with many application installs and uninstalls. On the few occasions that I used System Restore it worked well.

Many problems blamed on the OS are actually caused by unreliable hardware or malware.

If the Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 don't get it running smoothly and orient you toward the tools, methods and optimizations which work best, look over these same steps for a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to compare with the install you have and how it is maintained. It compiles what has worked best in tens of thousands of installs we've directly helped do here. It is worth the investment of time because you will get and keep a perfect install to the exact extent you stick only the the steps, tools and methods given.

submarinus said:

i'm hoping somebody can recommend some kind of software that will do what Restore Point claims to do, an app to snapshot my configuration, save to DVD or USB, and instantly plus reliably restore my configuration.

Have you considered or rejected an imaging application?

It won't "instantly" restore your configuration. Might take 30 minutes.