All system restore points constantly deleted with VSS services/volsnap errors

Anonymous
2014-01-08T09:35:11+00:00

Original Title: Let's start simple! Is there anyone from Microsoft out there?

For 6 weeks, I've been trying to sort out why my system restore points keep getting wiped out - something to do with VSS Server, I think. But let's forget that for now - all I want at the moment is a definitive answer whether VSS Server should be on Manual or Automatic. Some MS documents say one, some the other. If I can find out this, we can then move on to the next step of why it keeps getting switched off, regardless of which option is chosen. So SHOULD IT BE ON MANUAL OR AUTO? surely that isn't difficult to answer and must be known by MS.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-01-09T08:05:34+00:00

    Hi,

    See here for the Services default settings.

    BlackViper - Windows 8.1 defaults

    http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-windows-8-1-service-configurations/

    AHi, Rob,

    I've now set the settings back to default - most involved changing Auto to manual.

    I have Eindows Presentation Foundation Font Cache at Manual - it's not installed in the BV list.

    Superfetch can't be started - it gives Error 1168 Element not found

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-09T07:17:40+00:00

    Also some antivirus/security and automatic backup programs will remove Restore Points. As

    will some Registry Cleaners and System Optimizers (both of those are like Snake-Oil), and

    of course some malware.

    Here is a handy free tool to view and even use the Shadow Copies (not File History).

    Shadow Explorer - Free

    http://www.shadowexplorer.com/

    =

    Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

    Hi, Rob,

    I've now installed Shadowexplorer (I thought I already had Net Framework 3.5), but now have to work out what to do with it.

    As regards possible Malware, I've repeatedly run the most recent definitions in Malwarebyte, Spybot Search and Destroy,  Superantispyware and Malware fighter. Also Avast. All were negative each time

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-09T07:02:08+00:00

    Yes, I mean Volume Shadow Copy Service - it's just I'm so tired of typing the thing, I shortened it

    I'm not dual booting - I've been through all the easy options on Google

    What is disk management programme? if it's things like Registry cleaners or defrag, I've tested them all. I have Acronis TrueImage and am tryig to get an answer from them, so far without success. I don't want to take it off, as it is my only decent fall back device in Win 8.1

    I'm not sure if I've tested a clean boot for this - I've tested it for something or other in the last 6 weeks - I'll give it a go, though I sometimes have to wait 2-3 days to see if there is an effect. I'll give it another go

    I'm the only user

    Sometimes (quite often), they go after a power down and restart (not sure anoty logoff/restart) but the power down and restarts I've already tested this morning (between 4 and 7 am) have not wiped my manual test  restore point

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-09T06:54:35+00:00

    Thanks for the reply, Rob

    1. So it is OK that Volume Shadow Copy Service and  Microsoft Software Shadow Copy provider are both at Manual and not currently running?
    2. Restore points are always deleted in 1-2 days whether I have 1 or 9
    3. None of my registry cleaners or other optimisers do this - I've tested them all
    4. Maximum disk space for system restore is between 66 and 116 Gb on different drives
    5. I've already done 2 refreshes (each of which takes me 2 days to put my computer back together).
    6. I'm not running any programmes that did not run on my Win XP machine - problems only since buying a new machine with Win 8.1 and it's crappy options for repair/restore
    7. I have the Black Viper stuff for Win 8 (I'll check your 8,1 version), but I've no idea how good his modifications are - I used them on my last machine.
    8. I'm busy trying to install the Shadowexplorer file you mentioned, but am currently stuck on addition of Net Framework 3.5, which has failed and wants me to reboot. Once I've got it installed, will this tell me anything about the problem?

    9 In vssadmin list writers, I usually have 3 as {5} Waiting for completion , rather than [1] stable - is that normal?

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-01-09T06:30:21+00:00

    What do you mean by "VSS Server"?  Are you using Windows 8.1?  Do you mean Volume Shadow Copy Service?  If so, mine is set for a Manual Startup.

    Are you Dual Booting Windows 8.1 with another operating system?

    Otherwise what operating system are you using?

    What third party Disk Management programs, if any at all, run on your machine?

    I am confused by the mention of "VSS Server" and steps taken in one of your links to fix something that might not be part of Windows 8.1.

    Have you tried a Clean Boot, then creating restore points and seeing if they stick after reboots?

    How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8

    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/929135

    Have you tried testing with another user rather than your current user and seeing what happens to restore points?

    Do they disappear after a logoff or after a restart, or after a power down and restart?

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