Knowledge Base

Error Message: System Restore Was Unable to Create a Restore Point

Article ID: 303354

Article Last Modified on 1/31/2007

APPLIES TO

Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

This article was previously published under Q303354

Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you use the System Restore utility to create a restore point on a Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me)-based computer, you may receive the following error message:

System Restore was unable to create a restore point. Please restart your computer and run System Restore again.

When you restart your computer, and then again attempt to create a restore point, you receive the same error message. Additionally, when you click Restore my computer to an earlier time, there may be no restore points available to restore from.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the system registry is damaged.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods, as appropriate to your situation.

Method 1

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
Locate the following registry key:Note Your system registry may not contain the following entry. If it does not, try Method 2.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\VxDMon
Change the DelayFirstRstpt value from 1 to 0:
1. In the right pane, click DelayFirstRstpt.
2. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
3. In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
Restart your computer.
Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, click System Restore to start the System Restore utility, and then create a restore point.

Method 2

Insert your Windows Me Startup disk into your computer's floppy disk drive, and then restart your computer.

If you do not have a Windows Me startup disk, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

267287 How to Create a Startup Disk in Windows Me

At the MS-DOS prompt, type c:, and then press enter.
At the MS-DOS prompt, type cd\windows\command (where windows is the name of the folder in which Windows is installed), and then press ENTER.
At the command prompt, type scanreg /restore, and then press ENTER.
Select one of the backup copies of the registry to restore, and then press ENTER.

Note A registry that is functioning correctly has the word "Started" displayed next to the date.
When you receive notification that you restored a properly functioning registry, press ENTER to restart your computer.
Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, click System Restore to start the System Restore utility, and then create a restore point.

Method 3

Rename the System Restore directory. To do this, perform the following steps.

Insert your Windows Me Startup disk into your computer's floppy disk drive, and then restart your computer.

If you do not have a Windows Me startup disk, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

267287 How to Create a Startup Disk in Windows Me

At the MS-DOS prompt, type c:, and then press enter.
Type attrib -r -s -h _RESTORE, and then press ENTER.
Type ren _RESTORE oldrest, and then press ENTER.

MORE INFORMATION

The System Restore utility in Windows Me automatically records changes made to Windows system files and to the registry. You can use System Restore to restore your system to a point in time when your computer was known to function correctly. You can also create your own restore points, which may be useful when you are uncertain of how a change to your system, such as the installation of a new program or device drivers, will affect the overall performance of Windows.

For additional information about the System Restore utility, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

267951 Description of the System Restore Utility in Windows Millennium Edition

279736 How to Start the System Restore Tool From a Command Prompt

For additional information about the Windows Registry tool (Scanreg.exe), click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

183887 Description of the Windows Registry Checker Tool (Scanreg.exe)

184023 Command-Line Switches for the Registry Checker Tool

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322246 You Cannot Create a Restore Point with a HighPoint Driver Installed

Additional query words: wmehemsep

Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb KB303354

Microsoft KB Archive/303354

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