Cannot use system restore or back up files

Question

Hi, I wondered if anyone can help? I'm running Vista Home Premium, which had a major crash. Used back up from external hard drive to restore computer. Unfortunately system restore and back up does not work. Keeps creating error code 0x81000109. Also has no system restore points.

Answer 1

Hi,

The error which you are getting with the System File checker scan means that there are corrupt system files which could not be repaired by System File Checker tool.  To repair these files you will need to run the Startup Repair tool.

If you have a Windows Vista installation disc, you need to restart (boot) your computer using the installation disc. If you do not restart your computer from the disc, the option to repair your computer will not appear.

If you have a Windows Vista installation disc:

1. Insert the installation disc.
2. Restart your computer.

Click the Start button, click the arrow next to the Lock button , and then click Restart.

3. If prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc.

Note : If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or DVD, check the information that came with your computer. You may need to change your computer's BIOS settings. For more information, see BIOS: frequently asked questions.

 4. Choose your language settings, and then click Next.

 5. Click Repair your computer.

 6. Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.

 7. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem, and if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.

 If Startup Repair is a preinstalled recovery option on your computer:

1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.

Click the Start button, click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then click Restart.

2. Do one of the following:

• If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.

• If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press and hold F8.

3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press ENTER. (If Repair your computer is not listed as an option, then your computer does not include Startup Repair as a preinstalled recovery option.)
4. Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.
5. Select a user name and enter the password, and then click OK.
6. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem and, if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.

For more information on startup repair you can refer the link below.

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

  Please let us know if you need any further assistance.

Regards,

Sreekanth

Answer 2

If you have a Vista dvd boot from it and try to perform chkdsk /r from the command prompt

-@pache

Answer 3

Hi,

Thank you for your advice. I have run sfc scan and it has come up with corrupt files in the "Windows resource protection" and was unable to fix them. Information is included in the cbs.log. I have tried obtaining access to the cbs.log following instructions from other forum threads i.e using the string in cmd " findstr / c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log>sfcdetails.txt" and nothing seems to happen.

I have also tried to run a disk check, and when I start program it closes automatically, without performing task.

Unfortunately I have only a OEM Vista Home Premium (I think it is original as when used back up files it did not include SP1) running on Laptop and therefore no operating disk, to repair Windows resource protection. I have a friend who has Vista Business operating disk, will this help or do I need Vista Home Premium?

By looking at some of the windows files it looks like I downloaded a suspect version of Flash Media Player as looking at properties the files are corrupt. Is there a way of removing these totally from the computer?

I have a feeling you are going to tell me I need to buy a new operating system, if so which one is the most stable, also will I need to reformat my hard drive to remove all existing operating system files and programs.

Many thanks,

Cheekyj

Answer 4

Hi,

It might be an issue with the restore that you have done

First I would suggest you to check if the Volume Shadow service is started. To check click start and type services.msc and press enter, within the list of services look for the service and make sure its started.

I would suggest you to run an System file checker scan

1. Click the Start button
2. From the Start Menu, Click All programs followed by Accessories
3. In the Accessories menu, Right Click on the Command Prompt option
4. From the drop down menu that appears, Click on the 'Run as administrator' option
5. If you have the User Account Control (UAC) enabled you will be asked for authorization prior to the command prompt opening. You may simply need to press the Continue button if you are the administrator or insert the administrator password etc.
6. In the Command Prompt window, type: sfc /scannow and then press Enter
7. A message will appear stating that 'the system scan will begin'
8. Be patient because the scan may take some time
9. If any files require replacing SFC will replace them. You may be asked to insert your Vista DVD for this process to continue
10. If everything is okay you should, after the scan, see the following message "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations"
11. After the scan has completed, Close the command prompt window restart the computer and check.

Restart the computer and check if the system restore works

Also you can try running a disk check

Following link should help you : http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/bc1393cf-9f9c-79c7-0f91-9337c2c41f811033.mspx

Once the scan is completed restart the computer and check if it works

Hope it helps

Regards

Niranjan