Windows Restore won't start

[wpcoe]

(note: This is about 64-bit Windows XP Professional x64 Edition)

A new install of XP on a blank partitition worked fine for a few days, but now I find that I cannot use Windows Restore. When I try to launch it:

"System Restore is not able to protect your computer. Please restart your computer, and then run System Restore again"

When I go to Services, Windows Restore is set to Automatic, but not started. When I try to start it:

"Could not start the System Restore Service service on Local Computer. Error 2:The system cannot find the file specified."

After running SFC, and being prompted several times to insert my installation CD, the problem persists.

Any idea what file System Restore might be missing for the service to start up?

Even though Services shows the System Restore Service not started, and even though I cannot launch System Restore from the Start Menu, it is still making Restore Points. Just this morning it created a Restore Point. (Looking in c:\System Volume Information\ has a new directory with a boatload of files in it with a date stamp for today...)

A virus scan came up negative, so I'm stumped.

Any ideas?

(My system is an Intel D930 (3.0ghz dual-core), Asus P5LD2 mobo, 2gb RAM, 320gb RAID-0 plus 3rd SATA 120gb drive, ATI 1300 video card.)

 

[linney]

Q302796 - Troubleshooting System Restore in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q302/7/96.asp

Q310405 - How to Turn On and Turn Off System Restore in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q310/4/05.asp

299904 - The System Restore Utility May Be Suspended on a System Drive Even Though There Is Enough Disk Space

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;299904&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[wpcoe]

Hmmm. None of those MS links have anything that seems to help when System Restore won't launch.

I was reminded to look at the event logs, though, and found it's not just System Restore that won't start, it's also Automatic Updates and IMAPI CD-Burning COM. <sigh...>

They all three have the same error at system boot: "The system cannot find the file specified."

Does that ring any bells?

FWIW, I have searched MSKB, done Google, etc. The best result I got was a match on another fellow having the identical problem with System Restore, but there was no reply to his post.

 

[linney]

Have a look at this key in the Registry and see if you have any Dependency listed and try removing such item (Backup-Export this key first). It might be a Dependency that has been marked for deletion during a failed uninstall of other software such as Virus Scanners or similar.


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv

DependOnService


Edit the value to delete items from the dependency list and see if you can start the Automatic Updates Service.

This article will give you a clue as to where I am coming from.

DHCP Client Initializes Improperly and Causes an Invalid IP Address

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;812335&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Now adapt the same procedure from above and look at the System Restore and Imapi CD burning Service.



Check for Malware.

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Try the free version of "Ewido"

http://www.ewido.net/

Windows Defender

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Try repairing Windows.

Do you have the same problem if you log on as another user?

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Select both boxes.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.


If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[wpcoe]

Chalk another one up to experience...

After checking out all of linney's leads, the last on my list was to repair Windows. During that process it derailed and I had no recourse but to do what I'd been hoping I wouldn't have to: reinstall Windows from scratch.

The repair would hang on installing devices (with 34 minutes remaining). I would reboot and it would hang there again. I suspect reinstalling Windows was inevitable, probably something was so farkled.

On thinking back, I subjectively narrowed the culprit to one of two things: the beta of 64-bit ZoneAlarm or VMWare's Virtual Player.

ZA: I had problems browsing after I installed ZA unless I kept it turned on. If I were to disable (or not launch) ZA, I couldn't browse the internet. I could ping web addresses (so I had access to DNS servers) and other apps like AOL could go online, e-mail in my Opera browser would download, I simply couldn't browse. Re-start ZA, and things were back to normal. Hence, I think the ZA beta tweaked a few too many things.

VM: Installation was flaky and I had to abandon it and restart. Once it finally installed, running a virtual machine on 32-bit WinXP was EXTREMELY slow. Then I found that if I left the "virtual network devices" enabled, WinXP boot-up and shut-down each took 20 seconds longer than if I disabled the devices. When the Windows repair stalled, it was on "installing devices." I had disabled the VMWare devices in Device Manager, but not un-installed them...

Thanks for your help, linney. You were most helpful!

PS: And, oh yeah: Windows Restore works just fine now and I am NOT going to reinstall the ZA beta or VM Virtual Player...

 

[linney]

Thanks for your kind comments.

I was also reminded of this old MSKB article when you mentioned 34 minutes remaining.

Windows XP SP1 Installation Stops Responding with 34 Minutes Remaining

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;815319#appliesto