System Restore does not work after a series of crushing events

[pappi]

First I experienced freezing, then Blue screen crushings and then failure to start. Somehow I managed to start through Safe mode but system was extremely slow. Long story short, I seem to have revived after chkdsk scan deleted a couple of files, replaced a batch of missing files and restored many corrupted sectors. sfc /scannow as usual did not find any integrity violation.

I ran winZip and MBAM and did not find malwares.

PC's performance is normal now...except for System Restore. SR does not have any restore points even after I created RP successfully, twice.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Pappi so I am assuming you ran chkdsk with the /f and possibly the /r switches? My other query is just how old is this machine please?
I am thinking along the lines that some hardware is the problem and in particular the hard drive or even the memory.

 

[pappi]

I bought it used and refurbished by ebay seller who claimed he installed a new HD and upgraded OS from Vista to W7 Pro 32-bit. It is at least 2 yr. old.

Currently it is running excellently except for non-restore point System Restore. BTW, the SR max space is 2% by default. Is that enough?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Pappi this is at least a six year old machine because I have found queries going back to 2009 and Vista as you will know was phased out some considerable time ago. So it is possible that some remnants of Vista are the problem. Personally I have never liked upgrades after using one once and found it a crap exercise.

I am going to find out if you can reinstall using that activation code for the upgrade. So if you can you can follow a tutorial I can link you to install just the 7.

However you need to back up all the data you will need mate.

Now I hate to say this but it is possible that the seller has put on a pirated upgrade but I shall get back to you.

 

[gregrocker]

Did the seller provide you with the Product Key for Win7 as is required to resell it? If not after going over your PC closely with http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html I would save a backup image because you may not be able to reactivate it if forced to reinstall. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

We can also check if it's Genuine for you.

As to the System Restore problem, turn it off in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/335-system-protection-change-disk-space-usage.html and then turn it back on with more space apportioned - 10% if you can afford it.

 

[pappi]

I already have done re-installation of OS from the 2- DVD Recovery set I created moments after I received this notebook. I forgot why I had to install factory image(probably a bad Trojan?). It took all night but I re-installed successfully.

I also had this System Restore problem before which I was able to resolve but I have forgotten how. There are many internet logs on this SR problem . I believe one of them helped me resolve it.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Did the seller provide you with the Product Key for Win7 as is required to resell it? If not after going over your PC closely with http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html I would save a backup image because you may not be able to reactivate it if forced to reinstall. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

We can also check if it's Genuine for you.

As to the System Restore problem, turn it off in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/335-system-protection-change-disk-space-usage.html and then turn it back on with more space apportioned - 10% if you can afford it.

Hmm Greg I was suspecting something amiss to be honest as in my last post and then pappi says it is a two disk installation. Now correct me if I am wrong but I have never seen media that requires a two disk OS install?

 

[DavidE]

The OP didn't do a clean install with a Windows "OS only" disc.
A HP "Recovery set" was used which will include all factory bloatware.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

The OP didn't do a clean install with a Windows "OS only" disc.
A HP "Recovery set" was used which will include all factory bloatware.

Yes David I hadn't thought of that - all the same I would be just getting an OEM and have done with it.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

As post # 10 I think the clean install OEM is best for around $120 (out here anyway) is it worth all this grief pappi?

If I knew the upgrade would let you follow Greg's tutorial then it is the best option - used it quite a few times and it is the best and the ISO is totally free well apart from buying the OEM rights with the machine I guess in the first instance

 

[gregrocker]

You said you made Recovery disks when you first bought this Vista PC which had been upgraded by the seller to Win7. How exactly did you do this? Did these reinstall Win7 or Vista? If Win7 how was it activated?

I asked you if you were provided a Product Key or COA sticker by the seller showing Win7 is Genuine.

 

[pappi]

I did not receive Product key from seller but it has what appear to be old stickers from Microsoft at the bottom(which I think is Vista).

On the first day, I made Factory image (two DVD) and startup repair(one CD). I had used the DVD's once and I forgot why I had to. Also, I have done a few backups with USB HD.

And as I have mentioned before, I have had identical problem with SR not only with this current PC but with the other HP (bought brand new 8 yrs. ago with factory installed Vista). With both HP's - one with Vista and this one with W7, I was able to resole the SR problem...but I have forgotten how.

 

[pappi]

At hindsight, I realize all these events started shortly after windows update agent was forced installed on July 31st.

This update agent was automatically installed on July 31. Shortly after, I started experiencing freezing, them BS and crushings, then eventually, on August 5th, failure to start. Somehow, I was able to get started on Safe mode and was able to run chkdsk which seemingly resolved all issues except for missing Restore Points in SR.(SR does not accept manually successfully created RP's).

Now, I just realized my newly revived system does not have this update agent. It is listed in update history but does not show in installed update listing. Wuaueng.dll is now missing in Services.

Any cause/effect relation between recent update agent auto installation, subsequent system crushing issues,... and after revival, missing Restore Points in SR and missing update agent?

 

[gregrocker]

Then you likely made and recovered using a Win7 backup image and not Factory Recovery, especially since you said you also made the Repair CD used to recover from boot disk.


I'd run SFC if and until it resolves anything, the if necessary a Repair Install from http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html. But you'll need your Product Key to reactivate.

When you look at activation link at Control Panel>System is there an OEM in the Product ID string? If not you can audit your key with Belarc Advisor then Magic Jellybean to confirm it.

If so we have more steps. Please run the Genuine Diagnostics tool (MGADiag.exe) at this link http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012. Click "Continue", click the "Copy" button then “Paste” the report into a reply message in this thread.

An activation exploit could cause the issues, something else you install or tweak, or hidden infection. If you have a good key and Repair Install doesn't resolve it we can walk you through a perfect reinstall to wiped disk sticking with only steps,tools and methods in Reinstall tutorial below. It will be perfect as long as you do.

 

[gregrocker]

I don't know how OEM SLP factory activation could be legal if win7 is an Upgrade to Vista - which would have to be a Retail Upgrade or OEM, not Factory SLP.

It's possible the only legal license for that PC is Vista on COA sticker which can only be reinstalled if Key is readable or you order Recov disks.

Or you can buy a Win7 license. Tiger Direct has Pro this weekend for $135 and Home Prem $89 which is all most consumers need. Follow the reinstall tutorial below.

 

[pappi]

Whether or not I am legal is beyond my control. I bought a used refurbished unit and it worked perfectly for 8 months...until now. You seem to be obsessed with legal status, which is OK with me if you intend to help me with current problem, otherwise it is futile in my part to keep presenting all you asked and not help me with this current SR problem.

With my absolutely (beyond question) legal old HP (bought brand new with factory installed Vista), I had identical problem with SR. So there, whether or not this W7 OS is legal or pirated by seller may not have anything to do with this malfunctioning SR. If it has, then there is no point pursuing this thread since I have no intention to spend more than $100.00 just to clean install a retail OS on this unit that is otherwise working very well.

 

[gregrocker]

I tried to present all the options keeping in mind we are not allowed to support illegal Win7 no matter what it's source. But when it became apparent you'd likely need a Repair Install requiring reactivation then you'd need to know if there is a key to use that will work.

Since you think I'm obsessed with this I'll refer it to a colleague who specializes in activation who can determine the status with absolute certainty

Have a good day.

 

[NoelDP]

PLease post an MGADiag report of the system as it stands - one possible side-effect of systems having Activation Exploits installed is that it can break updates either by design (because an update may break the Exploit) or by accident (because it interferes with access to system files). This means that your system could be inherently insecure.

we need to see a full copy of the report produced by the MGADiag tool
(download and save to desktop - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012 )
Once saved, run the tool.
Click on the Continue button, which will produce the report.
To copy the report to your response, click on the Copy button in the tool (ignore any error messages at this point), and then paste (using either r-click/Paste, or Ctrl+V ) into your response.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

My 2 cents worth again if one runs Speccy and click on operating system it usually gives you the activation code - but I stand to be corrected in this instance because it has become so convoluted.

 

[pappi]

For the last time, I had identical SR problem with my old HP that I bought brand new with factory installed Vista. I believe I had SR problem twice, (each time after Trojan induced crushing)... which I was able to resolve each time from internet blogs on SR problems.

Ok...let me go back to internet bloggers and see if I can once again resolve this problem without W7 forum assistance.