This is a good one - for info

[whs]

I downloaded a program today which gave me all kinds of trouble. And when I uninstalled it (with Revo), I had even more trouble. Well, easy I thought - I'll just reset to the recovery point from before the download. First problem was that there was none. But fortunately there was one from earlier today. So I start a system restore.

It comes back with: "This copy of Windows7 is not genuine" - a copy I bought 6 weeks ago for good money from Newegg. It also tells me that the restore was not successful. So I try another restore point from yesterday. Same problem - restore was not successful (at least this time it seemed to recognize my product key).

Fortunately I am an avid "imager". I had a Macrium image from yesterday so I throw in my Macrium Restore CD and 10 minutes later I was back in business.

Moral of the story: Image often - you never know when you need it. And don't depend on the windows restore facilities. They are historically weak and error prone.

In case you need a little help with imaging, see this: http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...e-imagesfrom-any-disk-partition-anywhere.html

 

[steve-pressman]

I agree with you completely, every week without fail I make a complete image of my system and then delete the previous one after. It is the best 30 minutes you can spend on a system once you have it up and running the way you like it.

If I was to do a complete re installation it would take hours as I have 46.5GB on my drive

Incidentally I use a program from a company called Spotmau their power suite great tool to have.

Spotmau.com - Computer Service

Steve

 

[Frostmourne]

I agree with you completely, every week without fail I make a complete image of my system and then delete the previous one after. It is the best 30 minutes you can spend on a system once you have it up and running the way you like it.

If I was to do a complete re installation it would take hours as I have 46.5GB on my drive

Incidentally I use a program from a company called Spotmau their power suite great tool to have.

Spotmau.com - Computer Service

Steve

Hopefully you scan your system every week for malware too.

 

[gregrocker]

The problem is if you have creeping corruption you are not yet made aware of and need to reimage to a baseline much earlier than the last stored image.

For this reason, it is best to get a permanently-kept image soon after install when the system is config'd and running well, then do the monthly/weekly updates in addition.

You can keep them together in a file but with Win7 imaging you will need to rename to WindowsImageBackup and move into root of drive to be autodetected by Repair DVD/CD.

 

[whs]

I keep the images of the last 4 weeks (usually about 10) and the one for each month since the installation of the OS. That way I have all the options for fall-back.
And Frostmourne, yes I agree. Frequent scanning for malware has to be part of the routine.

 

[richc46]

I downloaded a program today which gave me all kinds of trouble. And when I uninstalled it (with Revo), I had even more trouble. Well, easy I thought - I'll just reset to the recovery point from before the download. First problem was that there was none. But fortunately there was one from earlier today. So I start a system restore.

It comes back with: "This copy of Vista is not genuine" - a copy I bought 6 weeks ago for good money from Newegg. It also tells me that the restore was not successful. So I try another restore point from yesterday. Same problem - restore was not successful (at least this time it seemed to recognize my product key).

Fortunately I am an avid "imager". I had a Macrium image from yesterday so I throw in my Macrium Restore CD and 10 minutes later I was back in business.

Moral of the story: Image often - you never know when you need it. And don't depend on the windows restore facilities. They are historically weak and error prone.

In case you need a little help with imaging, see this: http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...e-imagesfrom-any-disk-partition-anywhere.html

Thanks, truly great information

 

[Venths]

I downloaded a program today which gave me all kinds of trouble. And when I uninstalled it (with Revo), I had even more trouble. Well, easy I thought - I'll just reset to the recovery point from before the download. First problem was that there was none. But fortunately there was one from earlier today. So I start a system restore.

It comes back with: "This copy of Windows7 is not genuine" - a copy I bought 6 weeks ago for good money from Newegg. It also tells me that the restore was not successful. So I try another restore point from yesterday. Same problem - restore was not successful (at least this time it seemed to recognize my product key).

Fortunately I am an avid "imager". I had a Macrium image from yesterday so I throw in my Macrium Restore CD and 10 minutes later I was back in business.

Moral of the story: Image often - you never know when you need it. And don't depend on the windows restore facilities. They are historically weak and error prone.

In case you need a little help with imaging, see this: http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...e-imagesfrom-any-disk-partition-anywhere.html

Yes, a great info. I too have the same problem with System restore and was planning to do the same

 

[beauparc]

I also had a problem with System Restore not completing. Turned out to be a problem with Norton 2010. Visit the Symantic website for the (simple) answer.

May also be found with any other programme which doesn't like it's files being altered.

 

[whs]

I also had a problem with System Restore not completing. Turned out to be a problem with Norton 2010. Visit the Symantic website for the (simple) answer.

May also be found with any other programme which doesn't like it's files being altered.

That is a possibility, but I use MSE, not Norton. You would think MSE is not the culprit. But maybe one of the other OEM programs I have installed. How did you find out it was Norton?

 

[beauparc]

To be honest I can't remember

I think I was just surfing round a few tech sites and read about some programmes not liking having their files altered. For some reason Norton sprang to mind and I just went from there.

System Restore now works perfectly as long as I make that switch first and enable it after restore has completed. I have not tried it from Safe mode. I'm leaving well enough alone

 

[Frostmourne]

Yes, Norton apparently stops system restore unless you turn off an option to prevent tampering. Also, the definitions get corrupted and need to be redownloaded, at least for me in Vista before I clean installed 7.