Software Problems & Getting Worse

What is the exact message from system restore regarding trying to use an older restore point?

How about a restore point between 11/14 and 12/01 if it exists?

Ubuntu is pretty much going to give you the ability to save some data. Everything is pointing to you needing to do a fresh install. I can't see any way around it if system restore and system repair won't run.

 

When I couldn't get to System Restore, I tried to boot from that Ubuntu disk and just happened to catch the message "boot from disk...?" and when I clicked on it, I ended up getting to System Restore Somehow and went through the process twice.

I tried the 9/2/12 restore point and the 11/14/12 restore points (in that order) and both times, I got the following message (exactly the same):

System Restore did not complete successfully. Your computer files and settings were not changed. Error 0x800700b7.

An unspecified error occurred during System Restore.

My computer booted and then it comes up with, "To complete the changes, you must reboot." I didn't see the point of rebooting again as I wanted to report to you first and then get some sleep. Once I had regained control, I get the message that System Restore was successful to 11/14/12 and guess what? My shortcuts are back and working.

When I looked at the files that would need to be restored, the ones I wanted would do so automatically, like the new version of iTunes and some Windows updates. I had downloaded 2 programs I don't want and won't add them back, but I don't think that 1 was the culprit, but the other may have been. Not sure.

I never could get to my boot menu, says that my password doesn't work and I know my password. It's changed. Is there any way to fix that when I didn't change it? I use the same one for high security aps and it plus a dozen other less likely prospects did not work. I tried combos of caps / lower case, but nothing worked. Hmm, just remembered another low security password I didn't try, will try that next time.

Is there anything I need to do now? I will try some of the behavioral stuff, but already that my shortcut to Chrome was back on the menu bar and worked was a step forward.

I'm afraid to shut my computer down in case something changes back. BTW, my file removal freed up about 1/2 of the storage. I hadn't realized how many duplicate files had accumulated! That was rediculous.

Several steps forward tonight! Thanks for hanging with me. I was going to take my CPU in to a local Geek business tomorrow, but maybe I won't have to. Let me know what I need to do next.

Thanks!!
Laura

 

I found a fix for the SR error from a Microsoft software engineer and I made that surgical removal and rebooted. Seems to be working correctly. Here is what they said to do:

a) Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then click regedit in the Programs list.
b) If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
c) In the navigation pane, locate and then click the following registry subkey:
d) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache
e) Right click on this key and select "Export" and save the key as backup
f) Remove the key “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\Microsoft\Windows”
g) Please reboot the computer and check if the system restore works.

It doesn't seem to have hurt anything, my sound is back, my shortcuts work...yeah!!!

Laura
:celebrate

 

I almost forgot, all those files I deleted earlier...oops yesterday are back! over 14k files deleted and they are all back!!! Noooo.....!!!!

I'm going to bed, night.

Laura

 

I rebooted and I noticed that now when everything gets going, the Installer window is popping up again, doesn't say what it is installing, but I cancelled it. I have reactivated my MBAM and Avira (those are ok together, right?) because I suspect whatever started all this is in my email and I want all my defenses up when I open it. I am scanning now, btw. I know I shouldn't be posting her while I am, but I've got places to be and I need to get things done quick.

Thanks again--let me know if I'm not doing something I should or if I am out of order.

Laura