[394910]

Hello everyone,

Thank for you taking your time to read my thread. I've been having some problems and I can't seem to find answer on this site or anywhere else.

I have a Windows Vista 64-bit Home Premium and I've been having several problems on my computer for about past 2 weeks. I've tried to restore my computer prior to that point, but it only takes me few days back.

I did some researching about it and I think it has something to do with not have enough space to save restore points. some say that it's impossible to recover deleted restore points and others say that it's possible to recover using some recovery software programs (or even restoring a computer without restore points)

How to Recover Deleted Restore Points | eHow.com

How to Restore a Computer with No Restore Points Available | eHow.com

Is it possible for me to restore my computer up to 2 weeks or more?
I'm really desperate now and need some help. I saw an option to restore my computer to factory settings, but I would like to avoid it if it is possible. :sad:

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you again!

 

[joeten]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

Hi have you looked at a start up repair How to automatically repair Windows Vista using Startup Repair

 

[Tomken15]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

What are the problems you are having for your need to go back so far ?

If it's system files then running a sfc /scannow as an administrator from the cmd prompt may resolve.

You can also run the Startup Repair option via tapping F8 on boot and select Repair the Computer or select Last Known Good Configuration from the options listed.

Have you been using any registry cleaning tools such as are in Tune-Up programs ?

 

[394910]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

Hi have you looked at a start up repair How to automatically repair Windows Vista using Startup Repair

Thank you for your reply joeten,

I've just finished reading the page you sent me. But there are some problems and things I don't quite understand. First, I don't have the CDs to boot up with. I remember 2 or 3 CDs came along with my computer when I bought it, but I don't where they are (I've looked all over my place and still no luck...).

Also, in that link, it mentioned about system restore in the advanced system recovery option. It only says that it'll take my computer to earlier point. It doesn't specifically say when. Will I be able to choose how far I want to go back? Right now, the earliest restore point I have is on April 12th and if the recovery system is going to use that as the point to go back, it doesn't do anything for me.

What are the problems you are having for your need to go back so far ?

If it's system files then running a sfc /scannow as an administrator from the cmd prompt may resolve.

You can also run the Startup Repair option via tapping F8 on boot and select Repair the Computer or select Last Known Good Configuration from the options listed.

Have you been using any registry cleaning tools such as are in Tune-Up programs ?

Thank you for reply Tomken,

Well, to be honest, I don't know most of what you mentioned in your message. I'm a completely dork when it comes to computer problems. I'm sorry about that. As far as I know, I don't think I've run any cleaning tools yet. It's going to be bit long, but please let me explain why I want to go back so far.

I used to use free anti-virus software "Avast". I also have "Malwarebytes anti-malware" and "SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition" for occasional full system scan.

On March 30th, I was dumb enough to click a fake paypal receipt mail I received. I immediately did full system scan on my computer for using all 3 anti-virus/anti-malware program I have. I didn't find anything, but I thought it was a good time to buy proper anti-virus. So I bought Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013 and installed it. I deleted Avast after I installed Bitdefender. problems started soon after that.

Whenever I start my computer, I get 5 or 6 error messages on my screen saying that program has stopped working or failed to start. I also use VPN when I surf the internet. I used to have an disconnection once in a while, but now it loses connection in every 15 to 20 or so. I have to disconnect and reconnect to use the internet again...

I tried to solve problems one by one following error messages. And the internet. I've also tried to reinstall Avast on my computer. I was able to install it, but when I reboot my computer, it's completely gone. I get a message "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library Error - Assertion Failed.." I was not able to figure out what to do about it. :banghead:

By the time I thought about using system restore, the only restore point I could go back was on April 12th.


I'm really hoping to be able to restore my computer before March 30 or earlier. I've never had this much of trouble before and I really don't know what to do...

 

[joeten]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

Hi if you have no discs and no restore points that are usable then a factory restore is your last hope there is nothing else you can do without recovery discs

 

[Tomken15]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

If you just uninstalled Avast using Windows Uninstall via Programs & Features, then files could be left in the Registry that could be conflicting with Bitdefender.

Read through this article then reboot into Safe Mode with Networking, download the Uninstaller and run it a couple of times.

If you select Save on the download then that may negate having to download afresh for each run then you can uninstall it when finished.

I would also dump SuperAntiSpyware as well as that runs in the background and will be taking up unnecessary memory - MBAM will suffice as a scanner as long it isn't the Pro version - that has an active AV component which will also conflict with Bitdefender - the free version is fine.

After you have run Avast's uninstaller download the free version of Revo (you need to scroll down the page for its download button) and again in Safe Mode with Networking, use that to uninstall SuperAntiSpyware.

If you still have problems after that, then it's possible you could still be infected - but see how you go.

 

[394910]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

Hmm, that sounds really bad... I really wanted to avoid a factory restore.
This might be wrong, but I've read somewhere that I can download those CDs from an official windows website. I haven't check it myself yet, but do you think that's true?

 

[joeten]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

If you need recovery discs then contacting the computer maker would be the best course there would be a small fee but cheaper than buying a new copy of windows links to most are here Tech Support Forum - Announcements in Forum : Microsoft Support

 

[Tomken15]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

I would check to see that you don't have an AV conflict before you start considering a factory reset which you can do without disks if you have a Recovery partition.

An AV conflict can cause a number of anomalous problems, including those of connectivity.

You can create your own Recovery disk in Vista which you can boot up with to repair the system without the need for install disks, but if your problems are due to an infection - then a factory reset after backing up your personal files is the quickest way to resolve.

 

[joeten]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

The recovery disc allow you other options which may not be as easily done via the recovery partition,though you might be able to try sfc /scannow offline How to Run the System File Checker (Sfc.exe) Offline in Windows 7 and Vista - The Winhelponline Blog
which may be what has me confused here, I cannot recall correctly if that is possible from the recovery partition.
this is another possible Perform A System Restore Manually When Windows Is Not Bootable - Spiceworks
Tomken15 thank you my head was in a rut at least I 'am back thinking.

 

[Tomken15]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

Joe - Perhaps you should leave the Whiskey alone :wink::smile:

 

[joeten]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

I don't drink Whiskey very often it is not Scotch Whisky :whistling::grin:

 

[394910]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

Thank you everyone for your feedback! I appreciate it!
I'll try "sfc /scannow offline" thing. I'll also try to get recovery discs ASAP. But I still haven't figured out the main question for this problem. Will I be able to go back to March 31st or earlier? I'm thinking it all depends, but I would like to know my chances. I'd like to leave a factory setting as my last resort.

 

[Tomken15]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

I can go back to January on mine by selecting Choose a different restore point and then Show more restore points with the space set to 5% which for me gives me 14.9GB.

If you click on the Configure button in the System window, it will show what yours is set to.

An infection can wipe out restore points which may be the reason why you only have a few days of restore points if you have followed that route.

You could try tapping F8 while you boot up and select Last Known Good Configuration but do you get the C++ Runtime error when you boot up or just when running a particular program ?

In Programs and Features, what are the latest C++ Redistributables listed as you can re-download those which can sometimes resolve, but the error can also be caused by program conflict and doing a clean boot can ID which.

Scroll down in this article and expand the steps for Win 7 & and Vista on how to troubleshoot using a clean boot How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista

You haven't said how you uninstalled Avast prior to installing Bitdefender or if you had uninstalled Bitdefender before reinstalling Avast.

You will get problems if you have two active AV programs installed or if you haven't correctly uninstalled one before installing another.

Please supply information requested.

 

[394910]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

I've tried to check how much space system restore is using, but I couldn't find any configure button under the system protection. Some websites say that I can also check it by using command prompt, but I'm afraid that I might do something wrong and mess it up more than it is already. :sad:

Those C++ Runtime errors pop up when I boot up my computer. right after I log in among other errors which said something about adobe and other thing I can't remember. I don't if it has anything to do with this problem, but C++ runtime errors had Avast sign at front.

I uninstalled my Avast using uninstalling feature on control panel because I couldn't find the uninstall option in Avast file on start menu. It only said (empty). I also used "Revo Uninstaller" to check if I had left anything else. I didn't have any trouble uninstalling Bitdefender because its uninstall system worked.

I feel more and more that I need to do a factory setting now...

 

[Tomken15]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

If you boot up into Safe Mode with Networking and select Run when you download the Avast .exe uninstaller in my previous link - it should auto run, but if you Saved it - it may have been saved to your Downloads folder if you have your computer set that way as I have mine - in which case check there and reboot into Safe Mode etc. and double click on it from there.

You haven't posted which C++ Redistributables you have as I'd requested.

If they've become buggy then you can reinstall those from Minimum service pack levels for Microsoft VC++ Redistributable Packages

You can also reinstall your Adobe products from Adobe and use the Download dropdown to select See all downloads.

When you click on System Protection you should get a window like mine which shows the Configure button which you click on to check/adjust the space allocated for the restore points.

How does yours differ from this one.

See how you go after running the aswclear.exe and reinstalling the C++ and Adobe products before considering the factory reset.

Will you be able to back up your personal files first before the reset should it come to that ?

 

[joeten]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

Tomken15 if you think there is a infection please direct the OP to security and let them handle it please, a link to the first steps are at the top of every page NEW INSTRUCTIONS - Read This Before Posting For Malware Removal Help - Tech Support Forum

 

[Tomken15]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

Hi Joe, I'm not sure if there is an infection yet as problems seem to have started after installing Bitdefender while Avast may not have been fully uninstalled and an AV conflict can cause various problems and Avast is still showing up in the alerts.

If the reinstallations don't resolve then the quickest way to resolve an infection is a factory reset but should also resolve a corrupt volume.

Gotta go for now.

 

[joeten]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

I would go for the factory reset and resolve all issues at this point and a fresh start with a little advice from yourself or others to keep the op right would not go amiss.

 

[Tomken15]

Re: Restoring my computer to a few weeks back.

I would go for the factory reset and resolve all issues at this point and a fresh start with a little advice from yourself or others to keep the op right would not go amiss.

Maxt was wanting to avoid a factory reset if possible so I'm just trying to cover all of the bases before having to resort to that - although it would have been my first choice had it been my computer.

So do you think I've given bad advice ?