System Restore, what does it do?

[OnionPatch]

Things just keep going wrong on my computer. First the sound stopped working. I checked every single thing but can't figure it out. It works when I play something through iTunes, but the system sounds won't work or any videos I try to play. If I check, it says there is no sound device on my computer! I think the driver is gone somehow but when I check there are five different sound drivers and all say they are working properly. Then it stopped recognizing my iPod when I plug it in to sync. Now on top of all that, it's running slow but my anti-virus can't find anything. Then, the other day, it just stopped working and I got a message that Windows shut down to prevent serious damage to my computer! :scared: Something is wrong.

I've been told I should do a system restore. I'm kinda scared to attempt that but if I do, what exactly does it do? Do I need to backup all my pictures, email and files? I'll have to go back to about four-five months ago, and I've had all sorts of installs and software since then. Will it be gone? I've never done this before. I guess this will be an all-day project? Is there anyplace that explains in simple terms how to do a system restore? Is it hard to do? Or is this a job for the tech-guy?

Thanks!

[Why Syzygy]

1. More than likely

you won't have a restore point that far back. You need to run malware removal (malwarebytes.com/spybot.org). I'm on the run at the moment. There's lots of information about these procedures in this forum. And, someone else will be along shortly. Go ahead and post what operating system you're using? XP?

[OnionPatch]

2. Yes, it's XP.

I did run Ad-aware last week but if found nothing. Which is weird because it usually finds lots of stuff my Norton-antivirus doesn't find. I did get some messages that Ad-aware is not compatible with Norton. Could this be the cause of my problems? I uninstalled Ad-aware the other day just in case it was.

[Why Syzygy]

3. Briefly ..

Let me just link some information that's already been posted. You'll find what you need. I'm on an unusual schedule today.

I would recommend installing one of the anti virus programs mentioned in these links. There's also one about uninstalling Norton. (You can add it back later if you decide to.) Install the two spyware programs I mention above. Some are advising running in safe mode. I haven't resorted to that. If you know how to do safe mode, might as well. If not, do what you can any way. You'll need to run more than one program to make sure you get everything. Until you know what the infection is, general instructions are all that can be done. Spybot has a very good support forum, as well.

More:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=242x23987

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=242x23864

[canetoad]

4. Here is a good guide to System Restore

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial56.html
However you should pay attention to this part of it:

Problems with System Restore

There are some problems associated with System Restore when it comes to viruses. When restore points are created they are stored in a directory that is accessible only to the System account and not to a user. This keeps the restore points safe from misuse and tampering. Unfortunately this also means that any virus scan software you may have installed can not scan the files located there as well. This causes a problem if a file that is infected with a virus gets backed up into a restore point because now the anti-virus software can not clean it. Now if you ever restore from a restore point, that file that is infected will be introduced back into your system.

With this in mind, if you find that you are infected with a virus, hijacker, or spyware and want to make sure you do not get reinfected if you restore a restore point, you should turn System Restore off and then back on again to clear all the restore points. This will guarantee that their are no infected files that could be restored.

In short, System Restore is an easy and quick way to remedy SOME problems, but it has limitations. As Why Syzygy said, you should scan your computer thoroughly first and you are unlikely to have a restore point that far back.

Personally I think that if things are just too fucked up, the path of least resistance (assuming you have an XP disc) is to reformat and reload XP. Norton's is probably partly responsible for the slow down, this would be a good chance to get rid of it and switch to some of the free and highly recommended security programs.

[Duer 157099]

5. Proceed with caution with System Restore

It has it's uses, but MAKE SURE that you really understand what it does before using it - which of course is what you're doing by posting here.

I tend to do things unconventionally on my computer (meaning, I don't use the "My Documents" folder for files, etc) and system restore tends to count on the user doing things the conventional way. I don't remember all the particulars, but I do know you can lose valuable stuff if you do a SR and you have certain files stored in places the Win does not expect.

So yes, backup all important files first before doing anything (photos, docs, music). Then see if you can clean up the mess, and if not, just do a complete re-do (reformat, reinstall, etc)