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Are you trying to recover using a stored image? Use your DVD Repair Console or Repair CD:
System Image Recovery
It's too late to make the image now. If you're trying to back up your files drag the active User folders to an external, another network computer or DVD.
Or are you trying to System Restore?
Your other options if you have a Win7 DVD are to Repair Install or to re-install windows 7
If you have factory OEM, you can also run your Recovery Disks or the Recovery Partition from boot after backing up your files.
If you can boot into windows -- try this:
Repair Install
It is always recommended to backup the user data before you do such a manipulation. In principle, a system restore from a restore point should not touch the user data nor should a Repair Install. But it is better safe than sorry.
The other day I had all partitions on seperate data disk (not a different partition but different drive) disappear to end up with a completely empty 320GB RAW disk. It even wiped out my Vista system that I had kept on that disk. Fortunately I have recent images for everything so I could bail myself out.
Just to clarify: You want to run System Restore and not set a Restore Point.
It seems you're confused about creating an image and setting a restore point. It's too late to do either. You want to restore now from either an image (if you have it) or a restore point which should be given in a list when you open System Restore:
from tutorial System Restore
If for some reason you don't have a Restore Point to try, then run a Repair Install
No, read the link which explains exactly what it does: Repair Install.
The type in light blue are links to tutorials which explain everything in depth.
First: do you have any listed Restore Points to System Restore from? Look at my post above.
OK, I see now that you have hangs when trying to start both Backup and Restore. How long before the utilities then open?
Is this new behavior? If you know for sure this type of corruption was not existing previously, booting Win7 Recovery to run System Restore may remedy it.
System Recovery Options
System Repair Disc - Create
If not, then I'd try the Repair Install as it can fix problems like this.
If not, you'll need to consider a Clean Reinstall. Clean Install Windows 7