The restore did not complete successfully (Windows 7)

You are replying to the wrong person.  I am John not Jimmy. In any event we tried that and everything else . But in the interim  all fixes have proved useless. 

The question now is How do I find out the last time my computer (Windows 7) completed a successful restore from a prior restore p oint? 

I am told my system files have been corrupted and I can not do a restore to a prior restore point (System restore failed).No remedy has been found.  All suggestions have failed.  I am told I have two choices. I'll have to either (1) do a factory reset/restore or (2) restore to a prior date from a Windows system image backup -- not a restore point since the system files used for that purpose are, themselves, corrupted.  If I do #1, I'll have to reinstall all programs and go though the nightmare of days of tinkering.  If I do #2 the programs and settings will all be there and I guess all I have to do is restore the data (all backed up) and update all my Windows and other updates since them.  Naturally #2 is the better choice BUT Catch 22,  this latter process will be a waste of time unless I do a restore from a system image created before this problem arose (before the system files were damaged) and who knows then that was?  

Obviously, if I could tell when Windows 7 successfully completed the last restore to a restore point I can use the second, easier, option.  In Windows 7 pop up tells me when I have completed a system restore from a certain restore point.  Is there any record of that event?  If I know that date then my work is much easier and I can select the right system image to restore from. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN FIND OUT THE LAST TIME MY COMPUTER COMPLETED A SYSTEM RESTORE FROM A CERTAIN RESTORE POINT?

Some have said the last successful restore will be in the Event Log but no one knows what to look for.  Where is the record of my last system restore to a restore point?  Where is it?  How do I find it?

Hi John,

Sorry for delayed response.

I apologize for the confusion or misunderstanding. To the answer of your question yes you have to perform SFC scan first then boot your computer in safe mode, disable security software and then try to perform system restore and see if you are able to do that or not.

Do keep us updated about the issue.

Regards.

Hello Jimmy,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community Forum.

I would appreciate if you can provide us the following information to help us understand the issue better.

Did you make any recent changes on your computer prior to this issue?

The 0X800704B3 error is the Hexadecimal format of the error caused. This is common error code format used by windows and other windows compatible software and driver vendors.

The 0X800704B3 error may be caused by windows system files damage. The corrupted system files entries can be a real threat to the wellbeing of your computer.

There can be many events which may have resulted in the system files errors. An incomplete installation, an incomplete uninstall, improper deletion of applications or hardware. It can also be caused if your computer is recovered from a virus or adware/spyware attack or by an improper shutdown of the computer. All the above actives may result in the deletion or corruption of the entries in the windows system files.

I would suggest you to try the below mentioned methods and check if it helps.

Method 1

The issue, generally arise due to .DLL file corruption in Windows settings. So, in order to scan your system health, I would suggest you to run a System File Checker (SFC) scan to check for any files corruption:

1. Go to Start, click All Programs and open Accessories.
2. Right click on Command Prompt in the Program list and then select Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click OK.
3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

sfc /scannow

For more information refer to this link:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833/en-us

Method 2

Try to boot the computer in Safe Mode, then try to disable Security Software temporarily and then try to perform System Restore and check if it helps.

Step 1

Refer to the link to boot in safe mode.

Advanced startup options (including safe mode).

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows7/advanced-startup-options-including-safe-mode

Step 2

Disable anti-virus ****

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Disable-antivirus-software

Note: Antivirus software can help protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. In most cases, you shouldn't disable your antivirus software. If you have to temporarily disable it to install other software, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you're connected to the Internet or a network while your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks.

This is not at all clear. Do you want me to (1) start up in safe mode  and then (2) disable anti-virus?

And then what? try a restore point again?

Hello Jimmy,

Thank you for the reply.

I am sorry for late response.

I would suggest you to try following methods and check if it helps.

Method 1:

Please use suggestions provided in this article and check.

Refer:

Error message when you try to restore from a full backup of a Windows Vista-based computer: "The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002)"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951002

(Also applies to Windows 7)

Method 2:

You can also try changing the permissions and check the issue. Please use these steps:

a) Open “Properties” on the parent folder where all the back ups are and then select “Security”.

b) Press “Advanced” and then “Edit”.

c) Check the two boxes next to “Include inheritable permissions” and “Replace all existing inheritable permissions”.

I hope this information helps.

Thank you

I am able to do a local restore using the laptop in question. The problem arises when I try to browse to a different backup stored on the network.