When I went to do a Sys Restore (I went back 9 days), my computer went into sys restore mode for about 1.5 hrs. I finally shut it sown and then started back up again. It would not load the desktop. I shut it down and restarted and when it ran a disc scan it ran a long list of things it had to copy, and then came back up and I am able to use it I need to do a restore because of another problem I am having. What gives?

when was the last time you tuned up your system, i.e. disk defrag, check disk, trash removal, etc...? my suggestion is to boot up with a xp cd and launch the recovery console. then run a check disk and then a fixboot. -- db`...><)))> ."drhugh" wrote in message news:86cfc56c-feb7-4f14-acf3-abacbe861f60...When I went to do a Sys Restore (I went back 9 days), my computer went into sys restore mode for about 1.5 hrs. I finally shut it sown and then started back up again. It would not load the desktop. I shut it down and restarted and when it ran a disc scan it ran a long list of things it had to copy, and then came back up and I am able to use it I need to do a restore because of another problem I am having. What gives?db`...>-)))> `...>-)))> share the nirvana mann

So if I do a recovery console will I loose everything?

Recovery may fix system operation, but files will be "Disconnected". System stability restore may work but leaves other files "lost". The files are there somewhere but Windows does not know the directories to them. Software will not see where there they are. Some work to point back to the files. Write directory names down first to re-connect each program. I use WinDirStat from Sourceforge.net to see what files are there (and how big they are in graphics!!). Know each important program and it's files locatitions FIRST then do repair. Do Registry & System Backup first if you can (drive space?). Paper is still a rerliable backup than anything else even to this day!!!

On Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:52:19 +0000, drhugh wrote:So if I do a recovery console will I loose everything?Exactly what do you mean by "a recovery console"?Ken Blake (MS MVP)

there is always a possibility of data loss. at this time it is my opinion that your file system is unstable and there may be a possibility that some files have already crashed, hence the issue your system has at this time. but there is also a chance that nothing will be lost and the master file table simply needed to be re-indexed. the commands I am suggesting for you to run at the disk prompt is the chkdsk /r and then a fixboot. the check disk slash r command will check the disk for errors, mark any bad sectors as un-useable (if any exists) and will reconcile the file system to the master file table. and the fixboot will simply ensure that you will be able to boot normally after having booted up with a cd. the above two commands can basically be viewed as a quick tune-up and may resolve the issue you were experiencing prior to executing a system restore and with the system restore itself. -- db`...><)))> ."drhugh" wrote in message news:f42a72e0-fa42-46bb-b70e-60c8733ee348...So if I do a recovery console will I loose everything?db`...>-)))> `...>-)))> share the nirvana mann

System Recovery may remove Registry entries which are connections / settings for installed programs, and thus the software and it's data directories and files are no longer linked to windows (still there but no reference to their location). There are thousands of Registry entries which tie Windows system together, from screen settings to desktop appearance to installed software file locations, etc. A Registry Backup is STRONGLY reccomended before any change. In the event something is needed it can be pasted from the backup and restore functionality, etc. BE VERY CAREFUL when using REGEDIT.EXE , it ties EVERYTHING together!!!

DatabaseBen wrote the commands I am suggesting for you to run at the disk prompt is the chkdsk /r “and then a” fixbootSo I will not lose any data by doing this? Also I am going to update to SP3 and do I need to do any of this if I just do the update to SP3? DocLogic: I always use Registry Backup and I am very careful when I use it but I do use it. KenBlake: I have no idea what a recovery console is. I got that from what DatabaseBen wrote: boot up with a xp cd and launch the recovery console.And I have done a defrag, empty trash etc this last weekend. Thanks all