Vista - System Restore is MISSING completely from my Vista Ultimate 32bit!

Hi everyone,
I'm new here and have read through a bunch of forums on system restore not working on vista ultimate.

My problem is a bit different... I don't even have system restore on my computer! I have tried everything that I've read about on the internet. I did the search, I did the windows+R and typed in rstrui.exe but it says that the program doesn't exist.

I'm not extremely knowledgeable about computers but have managed to fix nearly all problems I've had with computers in the past on my own but this is killing me.

I ran some stupid Registry First Aid program on the computer and suddenly, a bunch of things on my computer are going wrong. I cannot access the internet, the computer won't even show that there is a network to connect to, but when I booted my older computer with the same modem and everything, it worked perfectly (that's the one I'm actually using now to post this!)
A bunch of applications/programs aren't running properly anymore, even those little side links on the control panel window aren't working (I keep getting popups that say the file/program doesn't exist).

It seems a lot of things are not existing on my computer!
Please help! Oh and be gentle, like I said, I'm not any sort of advanced user lol.
thanks

Hello naturemum,

If you have the MS Vista installation dvd, it may be more straightforward for you to do a repair install - see this tutorial for details

Repair Install For Vista

Hope it helps

SIW2

Hello Naturemum, and welcome to Vista Foums.

You should never let a registry cleaner program just delete items without verify that they should be first. Sorry you learned the hard way.

You might check to see if that program has a backup option that you can use to undo what it had removed from the registry.


Another option is to see if running a sfc/ scannow command may be able to fix it.


Most likely, you will need to reinstall Vista. If it comes down to that, then you might try a repair (upgrade) install first to see if can fix it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hi naturemum and welcome to Vista Forums

This pretty well gives you the answer as to why you are having problems. Try following the instructions in the following Tutorial System Files - SFC Command to see if it can help you, but given the sort of problems programs like registry cleaners can cause, it is quite possible that this program is also one of the casualties. In which case, follow the appropriate link within the Tutorial for instructions on reinstalling Vista. This time, make a mental note NEVER to run registry cleaners without getting expert advice.

Ah well at least I know that's why it messed up.

Okay, so I went through some steps on the sfc/scannow thing and got to the very bottom of the instructions and I had no idea what path and filename to type in? Not sure if that makes sense. I didn't know what "path and filename" needed to be replaced. I read through the list of 3 files that couldn't be fixed but it didn't say which path or filename they were in!?

Anyway, the computer was custom made by an acquintance of mine so I do not have the vista disc but I guess I will have to give him the computer to re-install it. Oy..

There's another clue. If you don't have the Vista install DVD, then the chances are very good that either your Windows is no legit, or you friend illegally used a volume licence registration to install Vista for you.

In either case, you should really get that insall DVD for yourself. Without it, there are many problems that cannot be fixed without alot of effort.

He owns his own business making computers for people and companies and he said it's a legit version and that he's giving me the disc tomorrow. Hopefully that will fix it!

I don't have any programs I'm afraid of losing, I only actually installed about 4 programs and they're all on a disc I saved so it's not a problem if I lose all my files lol.

So if I just reinstall windows, it will fix it?

Hello naturemum, welcome to Vista forums!

Just use the link for a repair install Brink gave you in post #3 above and everything should go ok!

Keep us informed!












Later Ted