configuring System Restore

Ted:
A backup program is a useful tool but it's not much good if XP isn't
operating properly ... I need something to restore a good configuration and
then I can work on whatever went wrong. Thanks for the suggestion though.

"Ted Zieglar" wrote:

> What you need is a daily backup, not a daily restore point. A restore
> point has limited usefullness for a novice user, who will probably muck
> things up in no time. Windows Backup is a good start, but you'll find
> more flexibility in third party backup (or imaging) programs.
>
> ---
> Ted Zieglar
> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>
> JamesP wrote:
> > XP's default settings (RPGlobalInterval is 86400) are supposed to create a
> > restore point every 24 hours but it often misses days. Perhaps I don't
> > understand how it is measuring that 24 hours ... but I want to ensure that
> > System Restore creates at least one restore point per day. I changed the
> > RPGlobalInterval to 43200 and that seemed to help but it still missed days,
> > including a run of 4 days in a row! I can reduce the RPGlobalInterval further
> > but am wondering if there's a more reliable way to get it to create daily
> > restore points ... note: I need this to be a fully-automated process as it's
> > for a "novice" user's system.
>
 >> Stay informed about: configuring System Restore 

Had a look at imaging software?

---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

JamesP wrote:
> Ted:
> A backup program is a useful tool but it's not much good if XP isn't
> operating properly ... I need something to restore a good configuration and
> then I can work on whatever went wrong. Thanks for the suggestion though.
>
> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>
>> What you need is a daily backup, not a daily restore point. A restore
>> point has limited usefullness for a novice user, who will probably muck
>> things up in no time. Windows Backup is a good start, but you'll find
>> more flexibility in third party backup (or imaging) programs.
>>
>> ---
>> Ted Zieglar
>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>
>> JamesP wrote:
>>> XP's default settings (RPGlobalInterval is 86400) are supposed to create a
>>> restore point every 24 hours but it often misses days. Perhaps I don't
>>> understand how it is measuring that 24 hours ... but I want to ensure that
>>> System Restore creates at least one restore point per day. I changed the
>>> RPGlobalInterval to 43200 and that seemed to help but it still missed days,
>>> including a run of 4 days in a row! I can reduce the RPGlobalInterval further
>>> but am wondering if there's a more reliable way to get it to create daily
>>> restore points ... note: I need this to be a fully-automated process as it's
>>> for a "novice" user's system.
 >> Stay informed about: configuring System Restore 

Had thought about it but was concerned about the "performance overhead"
especially for this user (system isn't the latest & greatest.) Any specific
titles in this category you'd recommend?

"Ted Zieglar" wrote:

> Had a look at imaging software?
>
> ---
> Ted Zieglar
> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>
> JamesP wrote:
> > Ted:
> > A backup program is a useful tool but it's not much good if XP isn't
> > operating properly ... I need something to restore a good configuration and
> > then I can work on whatever went wrong. Thanks for the suggestion though.
> >
> > "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
> >
> >> What you need is a daily backup, not a daily restore point. A restore
> >> point has limited usefullness for a novice user, who will probably muck
> >> things up in no time. Windows Backup is a good start, but you'll find
> >> more flexibility in third party backup (or imaging) programs.
> >>
> >> ---
> >> Ted Zieglar
> >> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
> >>
> >> JamesP wrote:
> >>> XP's default settings (RPGlobalInterval is 86400) are supposed to create a
> >>> restore point every 24 hours but it often misses days. Perhaps I don't
> >>> understand how it is measuring that 24 hours ... but I want to ensure that
> >>> System Restore creates at least one restore point per day. I changed the
> >>> RPGlobalInterval to 43200 and that seemed to help but it still missed days,
> >>> including a run of 4 days in a row! I can reduce the RPGlobalInterval further
> >>> but am wondering if there's a more reliable way to get it to create daily
> >>> restore points ... note: I need this to be a fully-automated process as it's
> >>> for a "novice" user's system.
>
 >> Stay informed about: configuring System Restore 

I use and recommend Acronis True Image 9.0 Home. It will create an image
in the background while your novice continues to work. You can create
images to run on a set schedule, of course, and True Image has many
other compelling features.

Any imaging program will have some performance overhead...you can't
compare a full disc image with the relative handful of files in a
restore point. Still, the ability to do a complete restore from a known
good image is worth it, in my opinion.

As footprints go, True Image is much lighter on the computer than its #1
competitor, Norton Ghost. Anything with the name Norton saps the life
out of a computer.

Another fine program is Image for Windows (by Terabyte Unlimited.) I
have not had the opportunity to try this program, but I understand it is
very capable and has an even smaller footprint than True Image.

System Restore is fine as far as it goes and occasionally it does come
in handy. It's certainly better than nothing, which is what most users
do for backing up. But a known good image of a system partition that
takes just minutes to perform and lets you do a bare metal restore is
far superior for those in the know.
---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

JamesP wrote:
> Had thought about it but was concerned about the "performance overhead"
> especially for this user (system isn't the latest & greatest.) Any specific
> titles in this category you'd recommend?
>
> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>
>> Had a look at imaging software?
>>
>> ---
>> Ted Zieglar
>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>
>> JamesP wrote:
>>> Ted:
>>> A backup program is a useful tool but it's not much good if XP isn't
>>> operating properly ... I need something to restore a good configuration and
>>> then I can work on whatever went wrong. Thanks for the suggestion though.
>>>
>>> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>>>
>>>> What you need is a daily backup, not a daily restore point. A restore
>>>> point has limited usefullness for a novice user, who will probably muck
>>>> things up in no time. Windows Backup is a good start, but you'll find
>>>> more flexibility in third party backup (or imaging) programs.
>>>>
>>>> ---
>>>> Ted Zieglar
>>>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>>>
>>>> JamesP wrote:
>>>>> XP's default settings (RPGlobalInterval is 86400) are supposed to create a
>>>>> restore point every 24 hours but it often misses days. Perhaps I don't
>>>>> understand how it is measuring that 24 hours ... but I want to ensure that
>>>>> System Restore creates at least one restore point per day. I changed the
>>>>> RPGlobalInterval to 43200 and that seemed to help but it still missed days,
>>>>> including a run of 4 days in a row! I can reduce the RPGlobalInterval further
>>>>> but am wondering if there's a more reliable way to get it to create daily
>>>>> restore points ... note: I need this to be a fully-automated process as it's
>>>>> for a "novice" user's system.
 >> Stay informed about: configuring System Restore 

On Thu, 6 Jul 2006 12:51:45 +0530, Ramesh, MS-MVP wrote:

> The WMI script requires admin privileges to run. Otherwise, it generates an
> error (800A0046: Permission denied). If you need to run the script from a
> limited user account, you can use the RunAs feature to run the script under
> administrator account credentials.

Thanks for that Ramesh
--
Harry Austin
Somewhere in Australia
 >> Stay informed about: configuring System Restore 

Ted:
Thanks so much for taking the time to offer some specific software
suggestions ... it's always better hearing from someone who's actually used
the products than reading a tech-mag review. Would you elaborate on the
actual restoration process...

A couple OS' ago, backup users faced the problem that Windows had to be
bootable to restore their files, some apps built boot-disks to allow uses to
restore files when Windows was dead. Booting XP from anything other than your
HDD can be a real pain and many newer systems have only CD drives so how do
the "imaging" programs deal with a dead or corrupted XP?

A related issue might be XP's "protection" of system files, preventing apps
from overwriting them, etc. So, if you're faced with a system that won't boot
will an imaging program allow you to restore it to "full" operation or are
you still facing a fresh OS install?

Thanks again.
JamesP

"Ted Zieglar" wrote:

> I use and recommend Acronis True Image 9.0 Home. It will create an image
> in the background while your novice continues to work. You can create
> images to run on a set schedule, of course, and True Image has many
> other compelling features.
>
> Any imaging program will have some performance overhead...you can't
> compare a full disc image with the relative handful of files in a
> restore point. Still, the ability to do a complete restore from a known
> good image is worth it, in my opinion.
>
> As footprints go, True Image is much lighter on the computer than its #1
> competitor, Norton Ghost. Anything with the name Norton saps the life
> out of a computer.
>
> Another fine program is Image for Windows (by Terabyte Unlimited.) I
> have not had the opportunity to try this program, but I understand it is
> very capable and has an even smaller footprint than True Image.
>
> System Restore is fine as far as it goes and occasionally it does come
> in handy. It's certainly better than nothing, which is what most users
> do for backing up. But a known good image of a system partition that
> takes just minutes to perform and lets you do a bare metal restore is
> far superior for those in the know.
> ---
> Ted Zieglar
> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>
> JamesP wrote:
> > Had thought about it but was concerned about the "performance overhead"
> > especially for this user (system isn't the latest & greatest.) Any specific
> > titles in this category you'd recommend?
> >
> > "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
> >
> >> Had a look at imaging software?
> >>
> >> ---
> >> Ted Zieglar
> >> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
> >>
> >> JamesP wrote:
> >>> Ted:
> >>> A backup program is a useful tool but it's not much good if XP isn't
> >>> operating properly ... I need something to restore a good configuration and
> >>> then I can work on whatever went wrong. Thanks for the suggestion though.
> >>>
> >>> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> What you need is a daily backup, not a daily restore point. A restore
> >>>> point has limited usefullness for a novice user, who will probably muck
> >>>> things up in no time. Windows Backup is a good start, but you'll find
> >>>> more flexibility in third party backup (or imaging) programs.
> >>>>
> >>>> ---
> >>>> Ted Zieglar
> >>>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
> >>>>
> >>>> JamesP wrote:
> >>>>> XP's default settings (RPGlobalInterval is 86400) are supposed to create a
> >>>>> restore point every 24 hours but it often misses days. Perhaps I don't
> >>>>> understand how it is measuring that 24 hours ... but I want to ensure that
> >>>>> System Restore creates at least one restore point per day. I changed the
> >>>>> RPGlobalInterval to 43200 and that seemed to help but it still missed days,
> >>>>> including a run of 4 days in a row! I can reduce the RPGlobalInterval further
> >>>>> but am wondering if there's a more reliable way to get it to create daily
> >>>>> restore points ... note: I need this to be a fully-automated process as it's
> >>>>> for a "novice" user's system.
>
 >> Stay informed about: configuring System Restore 

In computer-time "a couple OS' ago" is like the Stone Age. It's all
different now.

In a nutshell, this is how it works: An image is an exact, byte for byte
copy of everything on a disk partition or even the complete hard disk.
Even protected files and even files that are currently in use. You can
image a partition or a disk while still in Windows and while still
working with your programs. You can store the resulting image file on a
hard disk (internal or external), a network drive or DVDs.

When the time comes to restore an image, if Windows is still working you
just open the imaging program, run the restore wizard and pour yourself
a soothing Chardonnay while your computer travels back to a kindler,
gentler time. If Windows is not working, just boot the PC from the
program disk. The imaging program will start and you can go to the
restore wizard.

You need to check these programs out for yourself and maybe download a
trial version to test it out.

And, FWIW, I almost always make my buying decisions on the basis of
professional reviewers, rather than crackpots who I don't know from Adam ;->

---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

JamesP wrote:
> Ted:
> Thanks so much for taking the time to offer some specific software
> suggestions ... it's always better hearing from someone who's actually used
> the products than reading a tech-mag review. Would you elaborate on the
> actual restoration process...
>
> A couple OS' ago, backup users faced the problem that Windows had to be
> bootable to restore their files, some apps built boot-disks to allow uses to
> restore files when Windows was dead. Booting XP from anything other than your
> HDD can be a real pain and many newer systems have only CD drives so how do
> the "imaging" programs deal with a dead or corrupted XP?
>
> A related issue might be XP's "protection" of system files, preventing apps
> from overwriting them, etc. So, if you're faced with a system that won't boot
> will an imaging program allow you to restore it to "full" operation or are
> you still facing a fresh OS install?
>
> Thanks again.
> JamesP
>
> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>
>> I use and recommend Acronis True Image 9.0 Home. It will create an image
>> in the background while your novice continues to work. You can create
>> images to run on a set schedule, of course, and True Image has many
>> other compelling features.
>>
>> Any imaging program will have some performance overhead...you can't
>> compare a full disc image with the relative handful of files in a
>> restore point. Still, the ability to do a complete restore from a known
>> good image is worth it, in my opinion.
>>
>> As footprints go, True Image is much lighter on the computer than its #1
>> competitor, Norton Ghost. Anything with the name Norton saps the life
>> out of a computer.
>>
>> Another fine program is Image for Windows (by Terabyte Unlimited.) I
>> have not had the opportunity to try this program, but I understand it is
>> very capable and has an even smaller footprint than True Image.
>>
>> System Restore is fine as far as it goes and occasionally it does come
>> in handy. It's certainly better than nothing, which is what most users
>> do for backing up. But a known good image of a system partition that
>> takes just minutes to perform and lets you do a bare metal restore is
>> far superior for those in the know.
>> ---
>> Ted Zieglar
>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>
>> JamesP wrote:
>>> Had thought about it but was concerned about the "performance overhead"
>>> especially for this user (system isn't the latest & greatest.) Any specific
>>> titles in this category you'd recommend?
>>>
>>> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>>>
>>>> Had a look at imaging software?
>>>>
>>>> ---
>>>> Ted Zieglar
>>>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>>>
>>>> JamesP wrote:
>>>>> Ted:
>>>>> A backup program is a useful tool but it's not much good if XP isn't
>>>>> operating properly ... I need something to restore a good configuration and
>>>>> then I can work on whatever went wrong. Thanks for the suggestion though.
>>>>>
>>>>> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> What you need is a daily backup, not a daily restore point. A restore
>>>>>> point has limited usefullness for a novice user, who will probably muck
>>>>>> things up in no time. Windows Backup is a good start, but you'll find
>>>>>> more flexibility in third party backup (or imaging) programs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ---
>>>>>> Ted Zieglar
>>>>>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>>>>>
>>>>>> JamesP wrote:
>>>>>>> XP's default settings (RPGlobalInterval is 86400) are supposed to create a
>>>>>>> restore point every 24 hours but it often misses days. Perhaps I don't
>>>>>>> understand how it is measuring that 24 hours ... but I want to ensure that
>>>>>>> System Restore creates at least one restore point per day. I changed the
>>>>>>> RPGlobalInterval to 43200 and that seemed to help but it still missed days,
>>>>>>> including a run of 4 days in a row! I can reduce the RPGlobalInterval further
>>>>>>> but am wondering if there's a more reliable way to get it to create daily
>>>>>>> restore points ... note: I need this to be a fully-automated process as it's
>>>>>>> for a "novice" user's system.
 >> Stay informed about: configuring System Restore 

Damn, looks like I had it all backwards ... I thought the professional
reviewers were the crackpots! Just kidding, I often rely on the pro reviews
too ... unfortunately some of them gloss over the nuts and bolts of operation
and I've found I can get some good info off sites like this one.

Once again, thanks for all the time you've taken with me ... your info was
very useful!

"Ted Zieglar" wrote:

> In computer-time "a couple OS' ago" is like the Stone Age. It's all
> different now.
>
> In a nutshell, this is how it works: An image is an exact, byte for byte
> copy of everything on a disk partition or even the complete hard disk.
> Even protected files and even files that are currently in use. You can
> image a partition or a disk while still in Windows and while still
> working with your programs. You can store the resulting image file on a
> hard disk (internal or external), a network drive or DVDs.
>
> When the time comes to restore an image, if Windows is still working you
> just open the imaging program, run the restore wizard and pour yourself
> a soothing Chardonnay while your computer travels back to a kindler,
> gentler time. If Windows is not working, just boot the PC from the
> program disk. The imaging program will start and you can go to the
> restore wizard.
>
> You need to check these programs out for yourself and maybe download a
> trial version to test it out.
>
> And, FWIW, I almost always make my buying decisions on the basis of
> professional reviewers, rather than crackpots who I don't know from Adam ;->
>
> ---
> Ted Zieglar
> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>
> JamesP wrote:
> > Ted:
> > Thanks so much for taking the time to offer some specific software
> > suggestions ... it's always better hearing from someone who's actually used
> > the products than reading a tech-mag review. Would you elaborate on the
> > actual restoration process...
> >
> > A couple OS' ago, backup users faced the problem that Windows had to be
> > bootable to restore their files, some apps built boot-disks to allow uses to
> > restore files when Windows was dead. Booting XP from anything other than your
> > HDD can be a real pain and many newer systems have only CD drives so how do
> > the "imaging" programs deal with a dead or corrupted XP?
> >
> > A related issue might be XP's "protection" of system files, preventing apps
> > from overwriting them, etc. So, if you're faced with a system that won't boot
> > will an imaging program allow you to restore it to "full" operation or are
> > you still facing a fresh OS install?
> >
> > Thanks again.
> > JamesP
> >
> > "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
> >
> >> I use and recommend Acronis True Image 9.0 Home. It will create an image
> >> in the background while your novice continues to work. You can create
> >> images to run on a set schedule, of course, and True Image has many
> >> other compelling features.
> >>
> >> Any imaging program will have some performance overhead...you can't
> >> compare a full disc image with the relative handful of files in a
> >> restore point. Still, the ability to do a complete restore from a known
> >> good image is worth it, in my opinion.
> >>
> >> As footprints go, True Image is much lighter on the computer than its #1
> >> competitor, Norton Ghost. Anything with the name Norton saps the life
> >> out of a computer.
> >>
> >> Another fine program is Image for Windows (by Terabyte Unlimited.) I
> >> have not had the opportunity to try this program, but I understand it is
> >> very capable and has an even smaller footprint than True Image.
> >>
> >> System Restore is fine as far as it goes and occasionally it does come
> >> in handy. It's certainly better than nothing, which is what most users
> >> do for backing up. But a known good image of a system partition that
> >> takes just minutes to perform and lets you do a bare metal restore is
> >> far superior for those in the know.
> >> ---
> >> Ted Zieglar
> >> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
> >>
> >> JamesP wrote:
> >>> Had thought about it but was concerned about the "performance overhead"
> >>> especially for this user (system isn't the latest & greatest.) Any specific
> >>> titles in this category you'd recommend?
> >>>
> >>> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Had a look at imaging software?
> >>>>
> >>>> ---
> >>>> Ted Zieglar
> >>>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
> >>>>
> >>>> JamesP wrote:
> >>>>> Ted:
> >>>>> A backup program is a useful tool but it's not much good if XP isn't
> >>>>> operating properly ... I need something to restore a good configuration and
> >>>>> then I can work on whatever went wrong. Thanks for the suggestion though.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> What you need is a daily backup, not a daily restore point. A restore
> >>>>>> point has limited usefullness for a novice user, who will probably muck
> >>>>>> things up in no time. Windows Backup is a good start, but you'll find
> >>>>>> more flexibility in third party backup (or imaging) programs.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> ---
> >>>>>> Ted Zieglar
> >>>>>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> JamesP wrote:
> >>>>>>> XP's default settings (RPGlobalInterval is 86400) are supposed to create a
> >>>>>>> restore point every 24 hours but it often misses days. Perhaps I don't
> >>>>>>> understand how it is measuring that 24 hours ... but I want to ensure that
> >>>>>>> System Restore creates at least one restore point per day. I changed the
> >>>>>>> RPGlobalInterval to 43200 and that seemed to help but it still missed days,
> >>>>>>> including a run of 4 days in a row! I can reduce the RPGlobalInterval further
> >>>>>>> but am wondering if there's a more reliable way to get it to create daily
> >>>>>>> restore points ... note: I need this to be a fully-automated process as it's
> >>>>>>> for a "novice" user's system.
>
 >> Stay informed about: configuring System Restore 

My pleasure. Backing up is my religion.

---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

JamesP wrote:
> Damn, looks like I had it all backwards ... I thought the professional
> reviewers were the crackpots! Just kidding, I often rely on the pro reviews
> too ... unfortunately some of them gloss over the nuts and bolts of operation
> and I've found I can get some good info off sites like this one.
>
> Once again, thanks for all the time you've taken with me ... your info was
> very useful!
>
> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>
>> In computer-time "a couple OS' ago" is like the Stone Age. It's all
>> different now.
>>
>> In a nutshell, this is how it works: An image is an exact, byte for byte
>> copy of everything on a disk partition or even the complete hard disk.
>> Even protected files and even files that are currently in use. You can
>> image a partition or a disk while still in Windows and while still
>> working with your programs. You can store the resulting image file on a
>> hard disk (internal or external), a network drive or DVDs.
>>
>> When the time comes to restore an image, if Windows is still working you
>> just open the imaging program, run the restore wizard and pour yourself
>> a soothing Chardonnay while your computer travels back to a kindler,
>> gentler time. If Windows is not working, just boot the PC from the
>> program disk. The imaging program will start and you can go to the
>> restore wizard.
>>
>> You need to check these programs out for yourself and maybe download a
>> trial version to test it out.
>>
>> And, FWIW, I almost always make my buying decisions on the basis of
>> professional reviewers, rather than crackpots who I don't know from Adam ;->
>>
>> ---
>> Ted Zieglar
>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>
>> JamesP wrote:
>>> Ted:
>>> Thanks so much for taking the time to offer some specific software
>>> suggestions ... it's always better hearing from someone who's actually used
>>> the products than reading a tech-mag review. Would you elaborate on the
>>> actual restoration process...
>>>
>>> A couple OS' ago, backup users faced the problem that Windows had to be
>>> bootable to restore their files, some apps built boot-disks to allow uses to
>>> restore files when Windows was dead. Booting XP from anything other than your
>>> HDD can be a real pain and many newer systems have only CD drives so how do
>>> the "imaging" programs deal with a dead or corrupted XP?
>>>
>>> A related issue might be XP's "protection" of system files, preventing apps
>>> from overwriting them, etc. So, if you're faced with a system that won't boot
>>> will an imaging program allow you to restore it to "full" operation or are
>>> you still facing a fresh OS install?
>>>
>>> Thanks again.
>>> JamesP
>>>
>>> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>>>
>>>> I use and recommend Acronis True Image 9.0 Home. It will create an image
>>>> in the background while your novice continues to work. You can create
>>>> images to run on a set schedule, of course, and True Image has many
>>>> other compelling features.
>>>>
>>>> Any imaging program will have some performance overhead...you can't
>>>> compare a full disc image with the relative handful of files in a
>>>> restore point. Still, the ability to do a complete restore from a known
>>>> good image is worth it, in my opinion.
>>>>
>>>> As footprints go, True Image is much lighter on the computer than its #1
>>>> competitor, Norton Ghost. Anything with the name Norton saps the life
>>>> out of a computer.
>>>>
>>>> Another fine program is Image for Windows (by Terabyte Unlimited.) I
>>>> have not had the opportunity to try this program, but I understand it is
>>>> very capable and has an even smaller footprint than True Image.
>>>>
>>>> System Restore is fine as far as it goes and occasionally it does come
>>>> in handy. It's certainly better than nothing, which is what most users
>>>> do for backing up. But a known good image of a system partition that
>>>> takes just minutes to perform and lets you do a bare metal restore is
>>>> far superior for those in the know.
>>>> ---
>>>> Ted Zieglar
>>>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>>>
>>>> JamesP wrote:
>>>>> Had thought about it but was concerned about the "performance overhead"
>>>>> especially for this user (system isn't the latest & greatest.) Any specific
>>>>> titles in this category you'd recommend?
>>>>>
>>>>> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Had a look at imaging software?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ---
>>>>>> Ted Zieglar
>>>>>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>>>>>
>>>>>> JamesP wrote:
>>>>>>> Ted:
>>>>>>> A backup program is a useful tool but it's not much good if XP isn't
>>>>>>> operating properly ... I need something to restore a good configuration and
>>>>>>> then I can work on whatever went wrong. Thanks for the suggestion though.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> What you need is a daily backup, not a daily restore point. A restore
>>>>>>>> point has limited usefullness for a novice user, who will probably muck
>>>>>>>> things up in no time. Windows Backup is a good start, but you'll find
>>>>>>>> more flexibility in third party backup (or imaging) programs.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ---
>>>>>>>> Ted Zieglar
>>>>>>>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> JamesP wrote:
>>>>>>>>> XP's default settings (RPGlobalInterval is 86400) are supposed to create a
>>>>>>>>> restore point every 24 hours but it often misses days. Perhaps I don't
>>>>>>>>> understand how it is measuring that 24 hours ... but I want to ensure that
>>>>>>>>> System Restore creates at least one restore point per day. I changed the
>>>>>>>>> RPGlobalInterval to 43200 and that seemed to help but it still missed days,
>>>>>>>>> including a run of 4 days in a row! I can reduce the RPGlobalInterval further
>>>>>>>>> but am wondering if there's a more reliable way to get it to create daily
>>>>>>>>> restore points ... note: I need this to be a fully-automated process as it's
>>>>>>>>> for a "novice" user's system.
 >> Stay informed about: configuring System Restore 

"JamesP" wrote:

> XP's default settings (RPGlobalInterval is 86400) are supposed to create a
> restore point every 24 hours but it often misses days. Perhaps I don't
> understand how it is measuring that 24 hours ... but I want to ensure that
> System Restore creates at least one restore point per day. I changed the
> RPGlobalInterval to 43200 and that seemed to help but it still missed days,
> including a run of 4 days in a row! I can reduce the RPGlobalInterval further
> but am wondering if there's a more reliable way to get it to create daily
> restore points ... note: I need this to be a fully-automated process as it's
> for a "novice" user's system.
 >> Stay informed about: configuring System Restore