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

No it shows what is stored in the Restore Points and allows you access.

It is not for creating, removing, or controlling a Restore Point.

I think your best bet is to use a full Reset and to be careful what you install.

As I said it is a useful tool.

Hi Linney,

Thanks very much for the message and I'll look into those links. I've not had any reply from Acronis yet. I hope I didn't sound aggressive in my reply - 6 weeks of getting no answers from MS don't help, nor do getting no answers from HP and Netgear ,while testing my mouse on another computer, as suggested by Logitech, blew up my laptop, so I've that to restore now as well. Maybe I'll be able to get some work done soon and earn some money!

Hi Rob,

2 last points for when I do a complete new install.

1. The computer, as supplied by the manufacturer, can't create a CD with the recovery image, as the manufacturer has not made a partition and installed it. If I try the MS method to make a partition, it makes a directory, and the option to include this on the CD is greyed out. Many people seem to have this problem, as the manufacturers now tend not to do this. If I start from scratch, can I make this partition and install the recovery option? And how?
2. Reg cleaners - why do you say they are not needed in Vista, and win7/8? I like to know the reason for something, rather than just accept it :-)

Thanks for all the help

Hi,

2. Vista, Windows 7, & 8/8.1 all have enhanced methods of caching which help to keep performance

at a high level. Cleaning out a few lines of code or even hundreds does nothing when the Registry

is GB in size. And worse Registry Cleaners usually remove entries that are needed. That removal causes

strange issues to even total system failure. These forums have thousands and thousands of examples

where issues were caused by Registry Cleaners or their other name of System Optimizers.

Microsoft says,

"The Windows‌ registry is a database that lists all of the configuration settings that determine how Windows looks and behaves. Sometimes, settings that are no longer needed will remain in the registry in case they're ever needed again. There's nothing unusual about this, and this data is small in size."

Why I don't use Registry Cleaners

http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2005/04/why-i-dont-use-registry-cleaners/

==========================================================

1. Make your own disk to re-install Windows 8.1 or re-install 8.0 and update again to 8.1.

Download Windows 8.1 ISO Using your Windows 8.0 Key

http://mcakins.com/2013/10/19/download-windows-8-1-iso-using-you-windows-8-0-key/

Download Windows 8.1 iso

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/download-windows-8-1-iso/

Download the Windows 8.1 ISO using a Windows 8 key and some simple trickery

http://betanews.com/2013/10/21/download-the-windows-8-1-iso-using-a-windows-8-key-and-some-simple-trickery/

You can also make a Recovery USB drive.

How to Create a Recovery USB Flash Drive in Windows 8 and 8.1

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

On Nov. 15, 2013 Windows 8.1 Back-up Media will be available for purchase. Newegg and

others will be offering the disc,

Windows 8.1 'Back-up Media' disc available to buy soon

http://betanews.com/2013/11/05/windows-8-1-back-up-media-disc-available-to-buy-soon/

Hope this helps.

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

You can also make a Recovery USB drive.

How to Create a Recovery USB Flash Drive in Windows 8 and 8.1

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

O

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

In this part, Rob,

A recovery USB flash drive cannot be used to install Windows 8unless this is an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled, and you checked the Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drivebox at step 5 below.

This is the problem lots of people have - the manufacturers no longer bother to install the recovery partition. And the method described by MS to make your own doesn't work - it just makes a directory which can't be used to make the disk (dozens of threads on Google about this and I've tried it myself several times).  My  question is, in my reinstall, can I set up the partition that the manufacturer should have done? Do any of the other links you gave me allow this? otherwise it's not possible to make the recovery disk, only copy some repair tools to it