Solved All but last restore point

huffman

Member
I am working on a friends laptop:
Compaq CQ60-419WM
OS is Window Vista Home Basic
3 gb Ram

I had to restore back to factory settings which is a pain with this laptop, however I finally got that done.

The system seems to be working fine. After installing Windows Security Essential, I got all the updates installed along with a few utility softwares.

I wanted to do a disk clean to remove all but the last restore point. It does does not give an option for "More Options" which I am used to on Win XP and Win 7.

Does just doing the "Disk Clean" removed all but the last restore point?

Thank You
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 531S
    CPU
    Intel Celeron
    Memory
    3.0 GB
One other issue I ran into that has me scratching my head.

In bios, the boot order is CD Rom, floppy drive and then Network.

I made the Recovery Disks, but when I put the first disk in and reboot, it does not give the option to boot from the CD Rom, it just goes ahead and boots into windows.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 531S
    CPU
    Intel Celeron
    Memory
    3.0 GB
See the following for how to clean all but the last restore point in Vista: How to Remove or Delete all System Restore Points Except the Most Recent in Windows 7 and Vista?.

Not sure about the boot sequence problem. I recommend you change the settings (save them but don't exit) and then change them back so the CD-ROM is first and maybe then the HDD (instead of the others) and then whatever else in whatever order (and then save them also). Confirm that there are no settings that are disabling the boot sequence and going directly to the Hard Drive (I've never seen any, but every BIOS is different). Check the CD you made in normal mode to make sure it is readable and working and that you can access it - it may just be a bad CD. Make certain that the CD you are using is a bootable CD - if it isn't, then it will automatically bypass the CD Drive boot option. Do you have another bootable CD you can use to test this? If not, make one to test it as follows: Make a bootable Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD. This CD may come in handy in any event - so it's good to have it.

If that doesn't work, go to the computer manufacturer's website and get updated BIOS for your specific computer and version of Vista and install them (do so even if they are the same as the current BIOS may have a problem and this may fix it).

Assuming it is a 32-bit Vista system, this is what you need (and check out the instructions link while you are there to be sure you do it properly): http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&dlc=en&cc=us&os=2093&product=3966262&sw_lang=. If you have a 64-bit system, go back and get the proper ones as these are ONLY for 32-bit Vista. Check to make sure the Boot Sequence is correct. Then try booting to a bootable CD to see if it now works.

I hope this helps. If not, post back with details and explanations of what happened and what you found (and whether both problems still exist or just one and which one that is).

Good luck!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
Hi huffman and welcome to Vista Forums :party:

re:DiskClean

The option you require is still available in http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76073-disk-cleanup.html, however you need to select the option Files from all users on this computer in order to be able to do so.

re:Booting

Assuming that the BIOS boot order is correct (please double check), are you sure that the disk is actually bootable? Check with a disk that you know is bootable, such as an OS disk (it doesn't matter which OS, you're just checking whether or not the system allows booting from the optical drive). Do you get a message saying Press any key to boot from CD or similar? If you do, and you don't press a key, the boot will fall through to the next device in the boot order. To boot from the disk, you need to press a key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dwarf Dwf/11/2012 r09/2013
    CPU
    Intel Core-i5-3570K 4-core @ 3.4GHz (Ivy Bridge) (OC 4.2GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M
    Memory
    4 x 4GB DDR3-1600 Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX770 Gaming OC 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition on board solution (ALC 898)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VA1912w Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Agility 3 120GB SATA III x2 (RAID 0)
    Samsung HD501LJ 500GB SATA II x2
    Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 1TB SATA II
    Iomega 1.5TB Ext USB 2.0
    WD 2.0TB Ext USB 3.0
    PSU
    XFX Pro Series 850W Semi-Modular
    Case
    Gigabyte IF233
    Cooling
    1 x 120mm Front Inlet 1 x 120mm Rear Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 (USB)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Mouse 3000 for Business (USB)
    Internet Speed
    NetGear DG834Gv3 ADSL Modem/Router (Ethernet) ~4.0 Mb/s (O2)
    Other Info
    Optical Drive: HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH10LS30 SATA Bluray
    Lexmark S305 Printer/Scanner/Copier (USB)
    WEI Score: 8.1/8.1/8.5/8.5/8.25
    Asus Eee PC 1011PX Netbook (Windows 7 x86 Starter)

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
While I agree with Richard and also use CCleaner (though quite a bit less frequently and do not delete restore points as I have enough disk space and prefer to have the full 15% default amount just in case they are needed), I like to include the following caution. With Disk Cleanup, if you delete everything possible, you may include something you wish you hadn't but it will be merely inconvenient and will not harm your system.

With CCleaner, you must be much more careful because this program if not used properly and with caution and with you paying attention to what you are doing can delete important and even critical files that could cause a great deal of trouble and have you back here (on a different computer) because what you deleted rendered the computer inoperable. Used properly, it's perfectly safe - but take care that in your zeal to do a thorough cleaning, you do not delete more than is appropriate or anything that is critical.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
@Lorien Good point
@Huffman
Stay away from the reg cleaner portion. Be sure that those items are not ticked, at least until you understand the consequence.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
First thanks for all the responses.

My first quote for this project is that there should be a law:
Some people should NOT be allowed to own a computer.

When I try to elimate all but the last restore point this is what I should see:

diskclean1.jpg

This is what I actually see:

diskclean2.jpg

I have used Ccleaner for other purposes and I know it is a very good utility. In this case I had to use it to delete the restore points that were not needed. I had not known Ccleaner could do that so thanks for the heads-up.

I have checked and rechecked the boot order and it is just as I said in my original post. CD-Rom, floppy (does not a floppy) and then Network. There is no option available for Hard Drive.

I am not accomplished enough to flash the bios to upgrade, so I leave that to the experts.

I really believe all the problems were caused by Nortons Internet Securties which came with the original software. I uninstalled Nortons and installed WSE and most of the problems were solved.

He has picked up his laptop and is happy with results, so I guess I am happy also.

Thanks again guys for all the help. I learned something new by taking on this project.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 531S
    CPU
    Intel Celeron
    Memory
    3.0 GB
It was our pleasure. Glad we could be of help.

Thanks for the feedback and letting us know how it turned out - it is appreciated.

I will request that this thread be marked solved.

And welcome to Vista Forums! Now that you know where we are, bookmark the site and post anytime you have further questions or problems or if you just want to browse and learn (especially the Tutorial section offers some excellent advice on a wide variety of topics) or even if you want to try to help answer a question if you happen to see one where you know the answer and it hasn't already been posted. While it most likely won't be us the next time (though it might), there are many very skilled, experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly people here who, like us, volunteer their time to help others and one or maybe even several will respond to your post to assist you. While there are other forums on the web that do this sort of thing, you've now found what I think is the best (and I've posted in and/or checked out quite a few) so don't lose this link - you never know when it might come in handy again.

Good luck and best wishes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
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