Cannot restore unless in safe mode???

HELP!

STILL!!! no help after 3 years!!!! issue is the same.....

Flyingstar,

Windows ME, 2000, XP or Vista???

Rick

don't you have recovery cd ?!

Flyingstar,

Please give us more information, operating system, computer type, model, age.

I have the same problem with my vista premium studio 17 laptop, after searching the Dell community site and other forums this is a common problem. 

Some suggested solutions are:

System restore (from safe mode if required)

System repair from your installation DVD

Clean installation from your installation DVD

Even with these methods many people have reported that 'system restore' still doesn’t work when the OS is booted and running, or even from safe mode. There are several settings that might affect this issue. If you can post more information about your computer and anything that has happened to cause you to use the 'system restore' several of the other Dell users that contribute their own time to help other Dell users will be happy to try to help you resolve this issue. 

The Microsoft forum recommends doing a clean install of your OS to fix this problem, and people have mentioned after doing this 'system restore' still didn't work.

Good luck,

Dell Inspiron 9300 (three years + old),  Windows XP pro., Latest OP SYS, I'm not sure it's worth doing a complete system restore and having to completely rebuildd all my settings and app's.

Flyingstar,

Sounds like system restore is corrupt. All you can do is disable it, restart your computer, then enable it. After you restart your computer, then you can make system restore points again.

Article on turning system restore on and off in XP.

Rick

I think to use a computer as much as a car.

I think to use a computer as long as a car.

Flyingstar,

If you can get system restore to work in safe mode then it should work from 'repair' mode (insert and start installation DVD with XP running choose 'repair'), you still have the option of using this useful tool. If it really bothers you, then you can try the recommendations from the site Rick gave you and if they don't resolve system restore not working when the OS is booted and running you will find that MS will suggest a 'Repair install' or 'Clean Install'. Resetting system restore by turning it off resarting the OS and turning system restore on, as Rick mentioned, might solve this for you.

You will have to decide if you want to take the time to re-install (maybe it still won't work) or when, hopefully not often, you need to use system restore you can get access to it from safe mode or in 'Repair'.

Unless you have the time and want to try the different methods available to repair or re-install your OS, I think you would be safe in knowing you still have the 'system restore' option available to you if required.

Good Luck,

Dave,

A XP Operating system Repair is much easier that with Vista. If only Vista would have been this easy.

Flyingstar,

Try a XP Operating system repair using the instructions below.

Insert the XP Disk and restart your computer.

Press any key to boot from CD.

Choose install.

Do the agreement.

Now choose repair. Leave the disk in the computer until you see the Welcome Screen. Takes about 35 minutes. You'll have to get all the Windows Updates, again(more painful)

Rick

Dave is your system Restore working? :emotion-5:

Rick,

Did a clean install and after about a week I tried system restore and it's working from Vista now so all is back to normal.

Rgs