System Restore is no longer available.

Hi Joselbarra

I will do the spyware and anti-virus checks/scans every weekend like i've always been doing.

Today I've posted my next problem  "Video streaming problem". I do hope to see you there soon.

My computer is just sick and not well at all.  Erratic and slowdowns are daily fare. I do wish there was some free diagnostic program that will fix it.

Thanks

Good job!   You did all the work. 

Take the rest of the week off.

I added that xrstrui.exe to my notes, although I do not find that file on my system (Actually, I added "If asked for the xrstrui.exe file..." so that may help for the next time I inflict those instructions on some other person someday.  Feedback is good!

If you continue to update and run MBAM and SAS once in a while, that is good for free scanning software - they get updated with new threats and definitions sometimes several times a day.

If you have a new question/problem that is not related to this one, I suggest making a new question/thread so things don't get mixed up.  I can't say that I will work on it personally, but will look for it when I have time and if it gets off in the weeds, maybe I will see it and can jump in if needed.

I usually find it amusing to let the "Microsoft Support Engineers" go first with their steps and methods that will never work so I can then step in and correct them (like with this problem).  My unrealizeable hope is that they will learn something.

Hi Joselbarra

Greetings of the day!  Its a great day!  Yes, I did it, or more correctly, you did it!!.

Followed your instructions throughout, and I've got SR back and tested it OK.

There's no end of thanks to you. The understanding and patience you have shown is like no other. Over the years, about once or twice a year I have come to these colums to seek help, but there has never been anyone like your commitment. Without your attributes and knowledge I would not have had a solution to my SR problem. Credit must be given where it is due.  I hope others read this and try to emulate you for the good of us all.

I believe some malicious malware/virus has done me in and disrupted my system and created several problems.

Just one thing for your archives:  "When asked for:

"srframe.mmf

Point the install to c:\windows\system32\dllcache (or c:\windows\system32\restore) "

Before this step, it asked for the xrstrui.exe file, which I also placed in the C:\WinXP\system32\Restore folder. And then carried on to success.

I do have another problem that I would very much like you to attend to it too. But I don't know how to put it up for your attention. Pls advise.

Thanks so much.

You almost have it - things are getting a little lost from previous posts...

With XP the default configuration is to NOT show hidden files and folder and to HIDE file extensions for known file types.

When you are browsing the folder, you need change those settings so you can see everything:

Click Tools, Folder Options, View and enable "Show hidden files and folders" and uncheck "Hide file extensions for known file types" then you should be able to see the c:\windows\inf\sr.inf file.

Make sure to make the adjustments to see the file extensions so you will be more comfortable - it will work.  Get that working first so you can see the extensions or things are not going to look right if you can't see the file extensions.

Once you are able to see the file extensions, things will make more sense.

(I'll wait here for you to get that part working)......

Now that you have hidden files and folders showing and file extensions showing...

There are actually two sr files in the folder but they have different extensions.

sr.inf  (you DO want this one)  <<---*!*!*!*

sr..PNF  (you don't want this one)

When installing, and it asks for files, if you have to use the Search function, you will also have to adjust the Advanced Search options to search system folders and search hidden files and folder, but my hope is that you will not have to search for the files it wants.

Most XP installations go into the c:\windows folder, but it sounds like yours is installed in the c:\winxp folder, so everywhere I say c:\windows, you must substitute c:\winxp

The first file it will ask for is indeed sr.sys. 

On most systems, that would be in the c:\windows\system32\drivers folder. 

On your system, it will be in the c:\winxp\system32\drivers folder so when asked for sr.sys, point the installation to c:\winxp\system32\drivers instead.

You do not have to do any searching - just pointing by putting the correct path to the needed file in the box every time the install asks for a file.  It will go a little bit more and stop and ask for another file.

Here is the list of things it will ask for, but everyplace you see c:\windows, you need to replace that with c:\winxp to get it to work on your system

When asked for:

sr.sys

Point the install to c:\windows\system32\drivers 

When asked for:

srclient.dll

Point the install to c:\windows\system32  

When asked for:

filelist.xml

Point the install to c:\windows\system32\restore (or c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386)

When asked for:

srframe.mmf

Point the install to c:\windows\system32\dllcache (or c:\windows\system32\restore)

When the installation completes, you will get a message that you need to restart your computer.

Restart your computer and look at your SR calendar.  You should have one new System Checkpoint in your calendar.

When you get SR working again, I would run MBAM and SAS to be sure your system is reasonably clean of malicious software.

The day you think you need System Restore to help you is not the day to find out System Restore doesn't work, so you should test it.

After the reinstallation, manually create a Restore Point and immediately test the restoration process and be sure you are convinced it works from end to end.