system restore not working

My system restore is NOT working with XP PRO. It is also NOT in the SYSTEM TOOLS folder. I can only access it using the RUN box typing in the RESTORE UI "ADDRESS". This opens the RESTORE screen which seemingly works but is acctualy non functional as evidenced by the "CANNOT RESTORE,NO CHANGES MADE" message on the desktop when it reappears. How do I get RESTORE to function short of reinstalling the OS, which I am not capable of doing? I am trying to restore the system to an earlier time to see if the strange behavior that IE7 is experiencing is returned to normal. OPERA and FIREFOX are NOT affected by this behavior, that is the RESULTS page displayed too far to the RIGHT on the screen, while at the same time a givin results choice displays it*s site correctly. I do not know if this will work until I can get RESTORE to work. I am hoping that once someone here helps me get it to work, it will put itself in the SYSTEM TOOLS folder again by it*self. Can anyone help? Simple language please as I am not very technical. Thank you guys and gals in advance. I have recieved good advice here in the past.

 

You will not see or be able to use system restore if you are a user on the machine. Only the Administrator has the privilege of that feature.

I would try cleaning your machine. You said that IE7 was giving you trouble but not Opera or Firefox. Opera and Firefox are more secure browsers and are probably not effected by the temporary files and such that IE7 is.

This is a simple program that does a pretty good job of cleaning your system. Spybot Search & Destroy Link

I would also like to recommend a registry cleaning tool. RegSeeker Link

Make sure to make a backup of your registry before you clean. See if those two items help get IE7 working again.

 

Than8s for your input. However it is my experience that you are only partialy correct. I am the only user of 3 towers, none of which are password or name protected, As for RESTORE, the RESTORE IS available under the SYSTEM TOOLS folder from the ACCESORIES choice, and is also fully functional on tower 2 and 3. For tower 1 however RESTORE is NOT in TOOLS folder, although I can open it typing in an ADDRESS into the RUN box. From there RESTORE runs apparently correctly, except that it displays "CANNOT BE RESTORED, NO CHANGES MADE". This issue appeared on it*s own through nothing I did or didn*t do. My thinking is that if I can RESTORE the system to an earlier date, 7 might function corectly again. Obviously I cannot do that at the present time. Is there any thing I can do to restore RESTORE? On start up there are 3 errors, something about missing dll files or files that cannot be loaded. Would that be a factor? As for SPYBOT, I am using 1.6, have run it to no avail. As for a REG cleaner, ALL the REG cleaners I have tried require a PAID version to repair after scan. I refuse to do that. I am of the opinion that if a program is "FREE" it should be complete and fully functional, with no retrictions. Even if the program itself is a watered down version of the PAID version. Does REG CURE allow FREE repair? Does it do a good job even if not perfect? Opinion please.

 

RegSeeker is a free registry cleaner. There is a paid for version as well, but the free version works just fine. There is also another free registry cleaner called CCleaner. CCleaner Home Link

.dll files are in most cases critical files that are needed for certain things to function properly. If you can get a list of the .dll files that you need you could probably find them all here: DLL-files Link

Getting the dll files functional is very important. You need to try to get system restore to function again. As far as IE goes, an update to the program may get it fixed.

If you feel that it is necessary to re-install the OS, then please try all other options first. When you re-install tell the machine to keep current information so that it is not lost. This way you will find all files and folders under the current user profile.

 

Thanks for the info. If I write down the dll files as displayed on the desktop, can I enter them into some kind of box at that link? And then let the files be installed where they belong automaticaly? Is that the way this link site works? Does REG CLEANER allow for FREE repair after scan? As for reinstalling the OS my friend will do that as that is beyond my ability. In the past he returns a tower with only the basics, IE, a working net connection, and WMP P9. I do all the rest, virus, spyware, adware, firewaLL, ect. I do not store any important files so a bare tower is fine. The advantage is that I get a tower that is NOT password prtected, which is what I want. I will try reg cure. Maybe 7 will be fixed. It is not a tragedy if it is not. OPERA and FOX will suffice.

 

If you use Firefox, which is the browser I prefer, then you should download a little extension called IE Tab. With that extension you will be able to view Microsoft.com and other web pages that are not W3C standard.

Copy and past link, if you are not able to click it!

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search?q=IE+Tab&cat=all

You may search for other add-ons as well. A couple of my favorites are Basics, and Fast Dial. There are also many security features you may add.

All dll files go in c:\Windows\system32. You will have to unzip the file before you may place it in the folder. Here is a little help on how to do it. http://www.dll-files.com/unzip.php

I would hope that will get you all straightened out. One of the worst jobs in the world is to format and re-install an OS. Of course I have a lot of information and programs on all 4 of my machines!

Happy Holidays!