System Restore in Win xp gives error msg

A friends having serious comp problems and trying the follow http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407 . However, when he tries to shut off, or do anything with System Restore it tells him. system restore is not able to protect your computer, please restart and try again". he has done that several times and it doesnt work. He said he has never used it, his parent geave him the computer and they dont know what it is so he's fairly certain they have never used it. Please help! Thanks

 

Is system restore tunred on or off when he get's that message?

 

He checked, yes it is on. babeinthewood

 

So, he can't shut it off or use it?

 

Yes, that's correct. Stumper huh? lol babeinthewood

 

Try doing a search for sr.inf and if its there, right click it and select "Install" you might be asked for the winXP install CD... I have read other forums in which this has solved the problem...

hope thats some help

-Ciz

 

He did the seatrch and it came up "no items found". ty

 

No furhter help on this one? Well, I think he should go ahead and follow throught the http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407 . If no one can help with the system restore issue. Thank you all that tried to help. Babeinthewood

 

Sr.inf is definately there.

The C:\windows\inf is a hidden directory.

1. Show hidden files and folders.
2. Search hidden files and folders must be enabled in search, under advanced options.
3. If he has installed SP2 from the web, the inf, when asking for files, should be pointed to C:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386 before trying to point it to the CD. Mismatched files are no good.
4. Spyware usually causes this. Go to the spyware section and go through the sticky's on cleaning up the system.