System Restore Failure

[pjm809]

I recently bought a Compaq Presario notebook that came with XP Professional installed. After adding various software applications (WordPerfect, Dreamweaver, etc.) to the computer for the last few days, I tried to use System Restore to return my computer to a previous restore point. When I did, I got an error message telling me that my system couldn't be restored. I tried a different restore point, same result. I've read that Norton's Live update, which also came with the computer via Norton System Works, can mess up System Restore.

Two questions: How to I restore the System Restore? Should I deep six Norton System Works?

Thank you.

Phil Maggitti

[Jazz]

Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 302796

How to troubleshoot the System Restore tool in Windows XP

NB System Restore is unreliable and unpredictable at the best of times. You are much better of investing in a product such as Norton Ghost, IMO.

[Miz]

I agree with Jazz. Norton System Works seems to create more problems than it solves on most systems.

My experience with Norton products is that when they are happy with a system's configuration, they work great. When they are unhappy with the configuration for any reason, they are a headache...with the exception of Ghost, which is quite reliable.

My experience with Norton products is also that if they're not working right, it's almost always better to disable them completely, leaving them installed but non-functioning. Uninstalling most Norton products is a headache in itself, can often cause major problems if not done exactly right and is best left undone until it's time to reformat the drive and start over.

[s7p9a2m4]

Miz is absolutely right. System restore is also unreliable. I found erunt to be much superior.
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/