system restore

when i do a system restore ,when it is done it says it cannot be restored nothing has been changed. i`m using windows xp. I had accidently deleted a folder with some family photos which i was trying to recover. i was wondering if i would get them back with a system restore if i can get it to work . I tried several different restore points none worked.Is there anything else i can do ?

 

Hi,

When you use System Restore your data, files and photos are not affected when you return to a previous date. It therefore follows that if you have deleted photos you will not be able to restore them using System Restore.

Have you checked in the Recycle Bin for the folder?

 

I have heard on good authority that this program is a good one.

.http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm

 

For the System Restore problem (which, as mentioned, won't get your photos back):

System Restore may be completely wonked, as Restore Points are "chained" together and interdependent, so that if one is corrupted, none will work, but try this:

Delete all but the most recent System Restore Point

Go to Start => Run and type in "cleanmgr" {without the quotes}
Select your installation drive (usually C:\)
Wait till the utility is finished scanning - a few minutes
Click the 'More Options' tab
In the System Restore section, click the 'Clean Up' button.

As a check, you can restart the computer to see if the single remaining Restore Point will Restore.
If you do, and it does restore successfully, but you want to revert to the original state, restart System Restore and select to Undo the last Restore Point.

If this doesnt work, then your only option is this:

System Restore - delete all Restore Points

Right-click on My Computer and click on 'Properties'
Click on the 'System Restore' tab to open the System Restore configuration window.
Check the box 'Turn off System Restore on all drives'.
Restart the computer. This will delete all previous Restore Points.
If you want to re-enable System Restore, go back to the System Restore configuration window.
Uncheck the box ''Turn off System Restore on all drives'.
Exit the configuration window and open System Restore.
Create a Restore Point

As a check, you can restart the computer to see if the single Restore Point will Restore.
If you do, and it does restore successfully, but you want to revert to the original state, restart System Restore and select to Undo the last Restore Point.

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This utility is also pretty good at file recovery:

recuva