Brand New Computer, Need to System Restore

  • Thread starter Thread starter aperson
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A

aperson

I just got a new computer two days ago, an Intel Pentium 4 processor,
with Windows XP Pro.

And already I am having problems. I've downloaded a few programs from
online that I've used in the past, added software I already owned, and
burned a few CDs. I had my old records on Zip (Iomega), so I've been
working with that, too.

The problems started for me when I tried to transfer some Zip files to
my Desktop and after they transferred and I tried to do it again, I
got an error message that the shortcut to my E drive no longer exists.

Next I tried playing some music using Media Player. I have played
music over the past few days, so I know this device was working
properly. I got an error message saying that the program could not
find my sound card. I tried playing the CD in Real Player, and got
the same message. Next step, I did a system restore point to
yesterday, and when I got back up and running, the Media Player worked
fine. Of course, some of my downloaded programs were gone, but also
the stored downloads were, too. And a file I had created earlier
today. Does a system restore in XP Pro remove files, too?

My newsgroup reader and email program was gone, so I downloaded them
again and when I started to fill out the forms, found that they
already existed, and after the reinstallation, seem to be fine, with
all the settings as they were before the system restore.

At the moment, everything seems fine, but I thought this was a bit
peculiar. I am new to XP Pro and understand the restore system is
differnet than XP Home, which is the operating system I used before
this one. I am not a computer power user, but upgraded to the Pro
edition on the recommendation of a number of people.

Any comments about what might have happened with my audio card, or
anything else about this strange occurance?
 
I just got a new computer two days ago, an Intel Pentium 4 processor,
with Windows XP Pro.

And already I am having problems. I've downloaded a few programs from
online that I've used in the past, added software I already owned, and
burned a few CDs. I had my old records on Zip (Iomega), so I've been
working with that, too.

The problems started for me when I tried to transfer some Zip files to
my Desktop and after they transferred and I tried to do it again, I
got an error message that the shortcut to my E drive no longer exists.

Next I tried playing some music using Media Player. I have played
music over the past few days, so I know this device was working
properly. I got an error message saying that the program could not
find my sound card. I tried playing the CD in Real Player, and got
the same message. Next step, I did a system restore point to
yesterday, and when I got back up and running, the Media Player worked
fine. Of course, some of my downloaded programs were gone, but also
the stored downloads were, too. And a file I had created earlier
today. Does a system restore in XP Pro remove files, too?

My newsgroup reader and email program was gone, so I downloaded them
again and when I started to fill out the forms, found that they
already existed, and after the reinstallation, seem to be fine, with
all the settings as they were before the system restore.

At the moment, everything seems fine, but I thought this was a bit
peculiar. I am new to XP Pro and understand the restore system is
differnet than XP Home, which is the operating system I used before
this one. I am not a computer power user, but upgraded to the Pro
edition on the recommendation of a number of people.

Any comments about what might have happened with my audio card, or
anything else about this strange occurance?
Click to expand...

System restore is the same on Home and Pro. You access System Restore from
Start> All Programs> Accessories> System Tools> System Restore.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
I just got a new computer two days ago, an Intel Pentium 4 processor,
with Windows XP Pro.

And already I am having problems. I've downloaded a few programs from
online that I've used in the past, added software I already owned, and
burned a few CDs. I had my old records on Zip (Iomega), so I've been
working with that, too.

The problems started for me when I tried to transfer some Zip files to
my Desktop and after they transferred and I tried to do it again, I
got an error message that the shortcut to my E drive no longer exists.

Next I tried playing some music using Media Player. I have played
music over the past few days, so I know this device was working
properly. I got an error message saying that the program could not
find my sound card. I tried playing the CD in Real Player, and got
the same message. Next step, I did a system restore point to
yesterday, and when I got back up and running, the Media Player worked
fine. Of course, some of my downloaded programs were gone, but also
the stored downloads were, too. And a file I had created earlier
today. Does a system restore in XP Pro remove files, too?

My newsgroup reader and email program was gone, so I downloaded them
again and when I started to fill out the forms, found that they
already existed, and after the reinstallation, seem to be fine, with
all the settings as they were before the system restore.

At the moment, everything seems fine, but I thought this was a bit
peculiar. I am new to XP Pro and understand the restore system is
differnet than XP Home, which is the operating system I used before
this one. I am not a computer power user, but upgraded to the Pro
edition on the recommendation of a number of people.

Any comments about what might have happened with my audio card, or
anything else about this strange occurance?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's possible to lose files when you use System Restore. See this
article.

System Restore Removes Files During a Restore Procedure:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=261716


--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

Please reply to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
 
Why do you think Microsoft would deliberately not make documents restorable
unless they were in one particular folder ? It doesn't seem to make sense.

Remove "DELANY" to reply by e-mail.
 
I understand that Real One Player is incompatible with WindowsXP and can
cause problems with System Restore. I am waiting for this to be resolved
before I install/use Real One Player

Rob
 
Oops...a problem with my system restore...as Ronnie pointed out in his
response, I lose certain kinds of data with a system restore.

I did lose a compressed file I had on my desktop, and need it.
However, I don't want to have to reinstall my email program and
newsreader, in order to restore my previous spot, move that folder
into MY DOCUMENTS, and then restore it again to where I am now.

I suppose if I made a new point, I'd be back here without having to do
all that, but if there is an easier way to retrieve that lost
compressed file, please tell me how I can get it back.

Thanks
 
I understand that Real One Player is incompatible with WindowsXP and can
cause problems with System Restore. I am waiting for this to be resolved
before I install/use Real One Player

Rob
Click to expand...

A little OT, but I'd rather not use RealPlayer, unless they stopped
harvesting information from their users, like they used to a few years
ago.
 
ALL Real products including the Player erases MSoft
Programs, that may be the most of your problems, I would
remove RPlayer and reinstall the complete MSoft OS, or
choose fix option when you start the MSoft OS PRO program.
-wayne
 
Oops...a problem with my system restore...as Ronnie pointed out in his
response, I lose certain kinds of data with a system restore.

I did lose a compressed file I had on my desktop, and need it.
However, I don't want to have to reinstall my email program and
newsreader, in order to restore my previous spot, move that folder
into MY DOCUMENTS, and then restore it again to where I am now.

I suppose if I made a new point, I'd be back here without having to do
all that, but if there is an easier way to retrieve that lost
compressed file, please tell me how I can get it back.

Thanks
Click to expand...

When you restore to a previous point in time, an "Undo last restore" option
gets added to System Restore. You could use that. Grab your file from the
desktop, plop it into My Documents. Then go use System Restore once more to
go back to the desired restore point.

Convoluted, I know - BTDT - but would be willing to bet that you will
double check what's on your desktop before you use System Restore again ;)
 
System Restore does restore a set of system and critical application files
(not actual user data such as email, docs, etc). It also restores the
registry in full. Sounds like the feature helped restore you to a point
before you had a problem with your sound card and your drive table, but
your restore also undid your installs of email and a newsgroup reader. If
those happened after the point you selected to restore to, that is by
design.
A quick way to see what was impacted by restore is to undo the restore to
see what functionality returns. If your redownloading/installing apps you
might also increase the granularity of what gets restored (and better spot
the trouble-maker) if you create (and name) a manual restore point before
each install, that way you can restore one install at a time vs. all
configuration activity to a day or so, ago. Hope this helps and let me know
Here's a link to a good MSDN paper which tells you more about the features
design and a link to the SR FAQ.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnwxp/html/windowsxpsystemrestore.asp
 
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