help with system restore

no restore points appear, even when I put one on it disappeared. Only found out when I tried to use it recently.

 

I'm not exactly sure there is a way to recover deleted System Restore points as I have been trying to search for such tool before as well. I however can suggest some possible causes for why it happens (in case you might still be searching for the root cause of the problem).

Are you sure you haven't filled up the disk partition which SR is supposed to monitor? Usually if the disk space that holds your Restore Points becomes full, they'll be deleted on a FIFO (first in, first out) basis.

What about idle time spent on your laptop? Automatic RPs are usually created during idle time and if your system is in usage 100% of the time, then shutdown; there's no idle time allocated for creating new restore points.

Lastly, the deletion of your Restore Points may be caused by third party applications. It is known that old Kaspersky AVs, Zone Alarm, and Norton versions, and even Real Player, can cause the deletion of Restore Points.

For more reference regarding the causes of lost SRPs, you can checkout the Microsoft Help Page about it.

You can also check these out:
Troubleshooting Missing Restore Points.
Missing Restore Points/Shadow Copies.

 

Until you post what operating system you use, we can't even begin to help you.

 

sorry XP, I mainly use FF3. Outpost firewall, changed to that a few months ago can I make it allow SR ? Scary no bold dates at all totally useless. Thanx. I will also check the links you mentioned

 

I have it hooked up to an external monitor at home, could that prevent idle time? None of the other factors appear relevant.

 

OK I downloaded a program that proved to be malware so I uninstalled it. Could it have deactivated a portion of SR? Happened about that time. Is there anyway to restore SR points.

 

I doubt you'll get those restore points back. Malware/trojans/viruses tend to muck up your system so you can't restore to a known good working condition. I would do a complete, very thorough virus/malware scan to make sure you are virus-free. Personally, when I get hit by a virus (none in years, knock on wood), I back everything up to a removable drive and format/install the operating system again, install anti-virus software, do an update, then scan my system and all of the files on the removable drive.