Limits Of Using System Restore

[Rodge2]

My computer is playing up - booting painfully slowly and often loading programs slowly. I have tried system restore several times going back as far a few weeks ago, but it doesn't help. Is there any reason why I shouldn't try going back further, say a few months? Would there be any potential problems with this? The computer has only been playing up badly for about 2 weeks, although I can see now that it was probably in a down slide before that. Thanks.

[bazwillrun]

have you looked at whats in your startup folder, ie all the programs, bloatware, krapware etc thats all looking to start up, update , upgrade etc etc when you switch the machine on.

download something like the free CCleaner and or got to Start >run > and then type in msconfig.sys and look in the startup tab

Cant see any point in doing any more restores.

[bazwillrun]

Quite honestly if the above dont "cure" the propblem its usually quicker to back up all your personal files etc and do a re-install of windows rather than spend even more time faffing around trying to find the root causes

[Old_Geezer]

Baz makes good suggestions above. Restore does what it says, restores the system to the state it was at the backup. If that hasn't changed it's speed to what you experienced then, then presumably the delay is not with the system.

Check hard disk space. Check you have the maximum possible memory for the computer. Scan for virus and other malware. For sure check what runs at start-up and whether you can turn anything off. Check the hard disk isn't having issues reading. Ask again if that all seems ok.

[ST24]

If you've run a registry cleaner it would a good idea to defrag the hard drive. Look through your programs any see if there's any you want to delete, then after their deletion defrag the hd.

[alan-r]

how big is your hard drive
system restore uses a lot of space, you only need about 3% allowed in there.
i would switch of system restore get all your space back on your hard drive, restart, then switch system restore back on but as i said only allow around 3% on hard drive for it

[galeck1947]

Download and run Malware Bytes to see if you have a malware infection use it in safe mode. Also run a full scan with your antivirus program as well and try to run it in safe mode.

[Rodge2]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have started with msconfig and there certainly is a load of junk in there. Have begun to try to get rid of it, but a lot of it keeps coming back! Have got rid of ctfmon, and just uninstalled quicktime as could not get rid of qttask for love nor money. Smax4pnp is a little trickier. Tried stopping process and then deleted the program file but it's still there. Maybe re-installing the OS might be better as suggested.

[Rodge2]

@alan-r Hard disk capacity is 148 Gb, 29.1 used, 119 free. Space for system restore is set at 12% currently.

[Old_Geezer]

I'd not say System Restore rarely ever fixes anything. It has fixed things for me on a number of occasions.

[andres]

Maybe you need to get a new battery? A weak one can cause all sorts of problems.

[whiskeryron]

Just a quickie from a semi literate pc user. When msconfig is put into operation & you get a list of startup progs, how do you determine which you can get rid of ?

WR.

[hc4361]

Ron, if you recognise the program -Skype, TomTom, Spotify, Office, Kodak Printer or whatever you can safely disable them from start up. You don't need programs running in the background if you are not going to use them and it doesn't take long to start them when you do.

If you don't recognise the program it is safer to ignore it - it could be for your keyboard, mouse, soundcard, drivers, antivirus, firewall essential things that would stop you using your pc if you disabled them.

If you are curious you can google the name to see what comes up but if you are unsure leave as it is.

Have a look at this:

http://www.howtogeek.com/74523/how-to-disable-startup-programs-in-windows/

[Rodge2]

I came across this useful website yesterday Ron. It tells you what most of the programs do and whether they are necessary:
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php

[bibblebub]

it doesn't solve your immediate problem but you should consider turning system restore off and taking regular disk image backups instead

[chrisgel]

I can recommend Winpatrol.
http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html

I have used it for years and it gives you almost total control over startup programs.
It does other things like protecting your home page from being changed by malware etc and it's simple to use.

[jomifl]

I took the advice proffered, opened msconfigsys. and without pressing another key I lost my broadband connection and ability to do a restore. Despite several restarts and trying to reconnect the computer to the router/server using the install disc.... absolutely zilch. (windows 7/ Orange.fr) Any suggestions aparttfrom buy a new laptop?