No kidding it is. Things go in and just as swiftly pass out.

What do you call that feature where you restore your computer to a previous time? I know it but I CAN'T THINK OF IT! I thought it was "system restore," but that doesn't lead anywhere.

Thanks for any help.

Catty

Windows XP (and some earlier Windows versions) have a utility called "System Restore".

It is turned on by default, but is usually manually shut off to clean your system if it was infected by a virus. You may find the System Restore utility off if was not reset after cleaning the virus out.

To check if it is "on", right click on the "My Computer" icon, then choose "Properties".

Click the "System Restore" tab. If it is not "on", you can turn it on here. Once turned on, follow the steps below to enter the System Restore utility and create a Restore Point.

If it shows "on", you can then access the system by:

Click: Start
Click: Run
Type: msconfig
Click: OK

Click the "System Restore" button in the lower right corner of the Microsoft Configuration Utility window.

Click the first link to see a list of available "Restore Points'.

Click the second link to create a Restore Point.

I hope this helps!

Dwight

Thank you, Dwight, my Prince. Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. Your instructions allowed me to set a system restore point for today. But what I need is to go back to a system restore point 3 days back. I did not make one on that date, but my understanding is that the system makes these automatically.

If that is true, how do I access them?

Catty

Catty
This is the best route to System Restore on XP I am working in that area today to correct a bug myself
On the Start menu Locate it by going: Accessories>System Tools> System Restore (Bottom of Menu)

Ok Assuming you are now there you see a calendar. Click on any of the Highlighted dates these are the dates where the restore points exist and give some details about what was installed or uninstalled Doesn't list everything (bear that in mind) Anything relating to Microsoft is listed
How far back can you go on the list? The answer may vary, I'd say on average 6 weeks depending how much space has been allocated
by the Windows Setup on Installing XP
2 tips: If you are trying to get a bad program or file off the computer delete it first then Do the System restore ...I am in that situation with a MS update which has Locked my computer up from updating Some times it will only try to refresh the file Not delete the file (End up going round in circles! )
Tip 2 If you can exit all the programs by the clock (Like if you are doing a Defrag?)
Now press the Next button to start
The Restore takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete then restarts the computer.
When you log back on, you'll get a message to say if the Job was carried out successfully or Not.
If the failure Notice shows find an earlier date (but remember the 6 week or so limit OK?)
Do it a date backwards at a time

Bedstor, I have done that. The calendar shows one highlighted date, the restore point I created today on Dwight's instructions. No other dates are highlighted. Clicking on other dates does nothing.

Where are the system checkpoints?

Thank you.

Catty

The "check points" you want are made if you have made an entry in the Scheduled Tasks folder on the Control Panel

Thank you, bedstor, I will check that out.

Catty

If you go to the System Restore utility and choose the first entry (restore the system to an earlier time) you can click the help menu and read about the time frame the system uses to automatically create restore points. It does it every 24 hours or whenever system updates are installed.

"If you use Windows XP Home Edition automatic update to receive downloaded updates automatically, System Restore creates a restore point before installing the updating software. If items are downloaded, but not installed, a restore point is not created. A restore point is created only when the new components start to install. Use these restore points to track changes you made to your system or when updates might conflict with other products on your computer." This from Microsoft Help

Was your system restore shut off? That is the only reason that I know of that would prevent the system restore to automatically create these restore points.

Dwight

Dwight, you are indeed a Prince. Thank you for that information. It was indeed turned off, but I have turned it ON.

Thanks again, Big Guy.

Catty