System restore

[Denise]

Hi,

Because of a corruption on computer that was preventing me from getting any MS updates, I ended up having to do a Restore using the Restore discs provided with my E Machines PC (not actual MS XP discs).

I had tried the System Restore option (found in my System Tools) but the restore dates only went back a few months, 6 I think it was. I have no idea where & when the corruption occurred, so I went Restore by disc route.
I’ve been reloading personal data and reinstalling programs lost from the restore, a few each day, just in case the corruption reappears. My thinking is the only way I can gauge if it reappears is if the MS updates stop working again.

After that brief history on my PC woes, I have questions on System Restore. Should I run into this sort of trouble again, I am hoping I can use the System Restore rather than wiping out everything using the Restore discs.

1) Can I make restore points go back further than 6 months?
2) Before downloading any software or MS Updates, should I create my own a restore point?
3) Before creating a restore point, should I run my AV/Spyware scans and perform maintenance such as disc clean up, defrag, clean out temp folder etc.
4) If I disable System Restore before running AV & Spyware scans, will I lose my previous Restore points?

Thanks - Denise

[pip22]

Triplate is right - SR is not reliable enough as a method of system backup. And yes, when you disable SR all the restore points are automatically deleted on the drive(s) selected. Unless you have a massive disk, SR only goes back a few weeks. If you have to clean up after a virus or trojan infection, you should disable SR immediately after the cleanup in case the infection is also in one or more of the restore points. Many people overlook this then wonder why they have been re-infected when they use SR.

But if you don't use SR that can't happen. Another good reason for disabling it.

[Denise]

Thank you triplate & pip, your help is appreciated. Although I am learning things as I go, painfully sometimes, I feel like I’ll never leave the novice arena. I am so happy I found this forum, without it I’d have probably had to take out a loan to pay for all the things I learn just browsing here. Thanks again - Denise

[s7p9a2m4]

There should be a "repair install" or "repair" feature on those restore disks. This would keep your personal files and programs intact.
Erunt is an excellent replacement for system restore.
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/