Sonic MyDVD ruined my SYSTEM RESTORE function?

[Denvers Dawgs]

I just installed Sonic MyDVD 6 tivo trial edition, to try burning one of my tivo files after the program taking about 3 hrs to shrink and burn (outrageous amount of time for my computer, usually takes 1 hour using shrink of dvd2one and then burn, not this rediculous 3 hours!!) My point is that I wanted to use my system restor function (which I have used several times, once last week) to go babk to before I installed Sonic and I can't? I tried it and it says can't restore to date, I've tried several differnet days. I then deleted Sonic, from my system and retried the restore feature and nothing? Any ideas how to get restore to work again. It is saving new retore points, but I can't restore to earlier dates?

[MOVIEGEEK]

If there are no restore points on the calender then there's nothing you can do besides a clean install.
For future referenceet the restore disk space used to ~1GB,that way it will save more restore points.

[Denvers Dawgs]

I apologize for not explaining it fully. I do have all my previous restore points starting from day 1 a year or so ago. When I choose one of those dates, after "restoring" it says cannot restore to the date, or something to that effect. But if I choose a date that was saved after the installatiion of sonic it will go back to that point.

So I do have all my previous save points on my calender in system restore but those won't work. Only the ones after the sonic trial installation work?

[GKar]

My suggestion for the future would be to do what I do....I create images of my system using Norton Ghost (or Drive Image if you prefer) to another partition on my H/D and then burn a copy of the image to DVD for catastrophic failures. Norton Ghost usually takes around 5 minutes to backup or restore an image and it is usually included on the Norton Systemworks cd. This will give you a restore option when System Restore fails.

[Denvers Dawgs]

just out of curiousity how would I use the ghost file once i create it? Say I know have an image save on 2nd drive how do I then get that to set my 1st drive back to that image?

[bmiller]

For drive image you insert the cd that the software comes in,and the computer boots from that and lets you restore from the boot software.I've never had to use it,but i keep an updated image of c drive on a second drive to use if restore doesn't work.

[GKar]

With Norton Ghost 2003 you launch the program choose a destination and filename and thats about it (or you can restore from menu if you can boot into windows). I have my hard disk partitioned into 5 partitions. All partitions are NTFS except my E: partition which is FAT32 so I can use a dos boot cd (with cd drivers and Norton Ghost for dos) and access the image. That way I can restore from hard disk or DVD rom image backups. Or simply restore from Ghost from within windows if you can boot into windows.
I like creating a clean Win XP install (activated) and then make an image so I always have the clean install without having to reload software. I ussually only make a backup before I make a major change to my system.
If you decide to use Ghost I can mail you a copy of my dos boot cd. Email/PM me your address (USA only)

[Denvers Dawgs]

i'm still confused? Say I already have the image saved on 2nd drive, and want to resotre drive 1 with that image. How would I do it? With the ghost software?

[ulapines]

Yes with the ghost software

[Denvers Dawgs]

ok thanks, now back to the original question anyone know how to fix the not working system restore feature?

[cantes903]

I had a similar problem yesterday and found that when I reinstalled Microsoft Script Engine system restore magically went back to normal. Hey, it's worth a try!

[Denvers Dawgs]

cantes903, how do I reinstall the script engine? where do I find it?

[cantes903]

Hey Denver-

Try this link and download from there:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=C717D943-7E4B-4622-86EB-95A22...displaylang=en

[ulapines]

I had the problem not getting access to the restore point menu.
I can confirm that after reinstalling Microsoft Script Engine
all worked fine again.

[Denvers Dawgs]

I can get to the restore point and the calender does have all my restore points saved in it, but when I actually do the restore it goes through the process and then reboots and says restoration did not complete unable to restore date. It says this to every date I try that were saved and still there since installing Sonic. The weird thing is I can restore to new restorepoints after sonic installation. The sonic program is a 14 day free trial. Do you think that is has hijacked my system restore that someone can't just keep going back a day to keep it from ever expiring? That would be total bullshit! Anyone ever here of this happening with any trial software?

I reinstalled the script, but still no completed system restore, still getting incomplete message

[yoda21000]

I myself use Acronis TrueImage. I like it a little better than Ghost. Clean, fast and image verification integrity, etc. If you never used it, I'd recommend it.

[cantes903]

I have never heard of any trialware doing that. Have you by chance ran HijackThis and had the log analyzed? Could possibly be something in the registry. Worth a shot.

[jimmalenko]

I would say that you've got the space for System Restore to use set at a value that is too small to accommodate the spaces required to store the number of points you're trying to go back. So naturally it needs to purge data to make room for new points every time you tell it to make a new point. If you increase the storage, it will hold more points.

Just FWIW, IMO System Restore isn't some magical tool that can just "time-warp" you back to before you installed software - it can restore the states of windows files (both critical and non-critical), but you're dreaming if you think you can rely on it wholely and solely for stuff like this. You should just be able to go to your control panel and Add/Remove Programs and get rid of it that way.

[jtoolman2000]

I assume you have now uninstalled the culprit program though but you have removed all registry entries that pertain to that program? If you have then you just may have to live with not being able to restore to earlier ( Prior to MY DVD install ) points.
You say that you can restore to newly established points right? If ALL is well as far as the general operation and behaviour of all you programs, then just delete all but a few new points. I delete mine occassionally as they can an do take up a ton of disc space. Up to 12% if you allow the default setting. As long as you aren't constantly installing, uninstalling stuff, or visiting and downloading suspecious crap form the internet. you really won't have much need for systems restore. A while ago after installing XP, I went though this process;

XP inistall and testing

Installation of ALL utilities printer drivers and such one cannot live without.

Installation of most commonly used Programs.

You can choose to allow all updates from windows or not.

Install NORTON GHOST.

Use of good hard drive, and registry cleaner.
Delete all temp files created during this process.

Re-test everything.

Re-boot and retest everything.

Disable the System restore utility to delete any restore points created and reboot
If everything was thoroughly tested and worked, you will not need them for now.

Defragment drive

Enable the System restore utility and choose what % of disc space you want it to use. It will now create a brand new FIRST restore point.

Fireup Norton Ghost and create an restoration image of drive C and have it store it into a separate drive either internal or external. You now have an image fo your pristine defragged ssystem.

Any time you feel like going back to a nice clean like new condition but without the hassle of an actual reformat and install just tell Norton Ghost to restore your C drive from the image you created.

Of course, you may have to install any new updates to programs that may need them. If you do, you can simply create a brand new image that includes any new changes you made to your new install once again.

By the way, the so called restore discs that come with new PCs are mostly Image disks that work basically the same. You just won't have all the luxury of all your favorite programs, utilities and settings included. The image you create will.