[Davey7549]

Johnni

If the system is maintaining restore points as you have made them but not creating them using the 24 hour rule then it is likely that Statemgr.exe is not seeing a Quiescent point for which to create the restore point.
First off is your Statemgr.exe set to run within the startup group?
Start\Run then type in
msconfig
then hit enter.

Go to the Startup tab and review the items listed there. Does Statemgr have a check in front of it? If not click to add check mark. Click Apply then OK and allow system to restart.

Wait and see if system creates a restore point if check mark was missing.

If Statemgr was checked then the problem is probably as I stated above. Something is running in background that is not letting the system rest long enough for Statemgr to do its function and create a restore point or another possiblity is Statemgr or one of the subroutines it calls is corrupt.

Let us know what you find.

Take care
Dave

[johnni]

Davey - thanks for your reply. I used msconfig and found statemgr (with a * in front of it) was checked.
I removed the checks from a large number of startup program icons, including an analogue-type clock, but after a week only my own infrequent check points are showing, along with the old ones. The only checks against remaining startup programs don't look as if they could inhibit SR as they only do something when I click, but who knows? If I take too many checks away I shall be seriously inconvenienced so I am reluctant, and would prefer to create my own.
Re you last comment is there any way to replace a corrupt statemgr etc? I do have the ME CD.
Thanks.

johnni

[Davey7549]

Johnni

The only other problem than can be a corrupt system file such as Statemgr.exe
To extract a copy from the WinME install CD you will run the risk of loosing current Restore points or you may have to shutdown statemgr.exe in order to do the extraction, but should not prevent you from creating further restore points manually after the extraction process is complete.

Note: When you attempt to extract Statemgr.exe the system might come back and say "File in use". If so then uncheck the statemgr within msconfig start-up group click OK and restart system. After restart repeat the process listed below.

To do the extraction insert your install CD into your CD Drive while you are holding down the shift key continually to prevent Autorun process from starting.
Then go to start\run and type in msconfig
Once to the main msconfig screen you will see the extract tab, Click that.
Once there you will see another screen that asks where to extract from, Click the radio button for "From Install disk" and then fill out the small window with the name of the program to extract. In this case Statemgr.exe
Then click Start.
Next Window will be the from which is your path to the Install CD already in your drive. Type that in. Example: E: or your can the browse button to locate the drive.
Then fill in the to location so it reads C:\Windows\System\Restore or you can browse to that also.

After all is set then click OK. At this point the system will prompt you for creating a back-up...... Please do.

After Extraction system may want to restart if so then remove install cd and restart the system.

Good practice is always to restart after extractions.

Recheck restore points and creation of them.

Good luck
Dave

[johnni]

Davey - thanks for all the details which I followed but when it came to the Extract command I got the message "The specified file is protected and may not be copied over or deleted".

So I tried it in Safe mode and got the same message.

I then went into the Restore folder and deleted statemgr.exe to the recycle bin but it at once reappeared with the deleted file still in the Bin!

After all that the old restore points are still in place, whether or not they still work is another matter, so I created another.

I think I will accept the fact that Windows will create a new point only when something major happens, and it is up to me to create any others.

But thanks for the suggestions, and apologies to ekim68 for hijacking your thread.

johnni

[Davey7549]

Johhni

I was afraid that would be the case since Statemgr is listed in the protected file listing used by SFP (System File Protect). There is couple of ways around this problem if you are will to try them one at a time. We will first go with the suggested method by Microsoft.

Click here for link

Listed below are the files to my knowledge that are associated with system restore and listed in the file Filelist.xml
<REC>%WinSys%\restore\Disablesr.exe</REC>
<REC>%WinSys%\restore\EnableSR.exe</REC>
<REC>%WinSys%\restore\filelist.xml</REC>
<REC>%winsys%\restore\rstrlfn.exe</REC>
<REC>%WinSys%\restore\rstrui.exe</REC>
<REC>%WinSys%\restore\SRFrame.mmf</REC>
<REC>%WinSys%\restore\StateMgr.exe</REC>
<REC>%winsys%\restore\StMgr.exe</REC>
<REC>%WinSys%\restore\vxdbuild.exe</REC>

The second method requires moving the above listing from Protected section of the Filelist to the unprotected section so the extraction can proceed.
This process is rather tricky since it involves using DOS to edit.
Here is an Article that gives you an overview of PCHeath, File protection, and System restore.

If you wish to view your machines listing do a search on FILELIST.XML once found open it with notepad.
As you will see there is two major sections, one protected, one not protected.

Take care

Dave

[johnni]

Thanks Davey - That filelist.xml is a VERY long list!, and thanks for the link.
What I actually did was to extract statemgr.exe from my installed WIN_17.cab to C: and then restart with a floppy boot disk and use the A: prompt to copy the file to the Restore folder replacing the original. A few days later I did the same but this time extracting the file from the 98x folder on my ME CD.
But still no automatic restore points, but I have created a few and all the old ones are being preserved so I have a selection to choose from if I need to do a restore. There MAY still be a startup program running which prevents auto restore points being made but, frankly, I NEED these programs running and I am satisfied to go on creating my own restore points.

But thanks for all your advice.

johnni

[Davey7549]

Johhni
Short of extracting and replacing all associated programs for system restore and hoping one of those is corrupt I think your choice at this point is wise.
It could be a program or programs running in background or it could be another corrupt file. We may never know for sure unless all start-ups are shutdown and all associated files are replaced which is a load of work. The only other option would be an OverInstall of WinME which is also a large hassle because many programs loaded after the original ME install will need to be reinstalled some of which may refuse to if not uninstalled before the WinME OverInstall. Again quite a hassle for a bit of work required now to manually create restore points.
Take care and it was a pleasure working with you.

Dave