I need to roll my computer back only the latest date is march of 2003- everyone keeps telling me I won’t lose much data, but it’s not their info disappearing- I need to know what exactly I’m going to lose- is this possible?
System Restore monitors and saves info about key system files such as those with dll, com, sys, and exe extensions. When you do a SR, these files are restored back to the way they were prior to the event that caused the change to these system settings. Note that SR will not remove software that was installed if you roll back to a date prior to the installation. It will only restore system settings changed by the software installation. A SR rollback should not impact any of your personal data files. But to be safe, I would save off all irreplaceable data files to CDs before doing a SR rollback. You can always reinstall software programs and drivers, but data can be gone forever if not backed up.
I have seen data files removed after a system restore. I would suggest first backing up all data onto another hard disk or CD/DVD and then attempting a restore, especially since your restore date is way way back.
System restore is a flaky tool, particularly in WinMe. It was intended to repair a problem that that you discovered shortly after installing new software when that problem wasn’t cured by an uninstall.
Doing a restore to a point 22 months ago is almost guaranteed to make a mess of the innards, unless in that 22 months you’ve not installed or removed any software, nor changed any system settings nor installed any hotfixes, security patches, etc.
Finally, your question makes me wonder … If you are thinking that the system restore will bring back some data file you deleted sometime betwen then and now, … well it won’t. As nivlacsaid, but maybe not too plainly, system restore does NOT back up your data files and cannot restore them.
And, as he/she also sort-of said, any software you installed after that restore point will still be on your hard drive, and may still be functional. But it may well be inoperative and you can’t trust that an uninstall/reinstall will work anymore either.
SR is fine for what it’s for, but you’re well outside it’s envelope & you run a real risk of converting your PC into an unreliable nightmare, or a doorstop. At that point, a complete OS reinstall becomes the best way out.
Look carefully before leaping over this particular cliff.
Hmm, I’m feeling as though I need to defend myself- but I won’t. What I will do however is explain a bit more in regards to my situation. I have restore point nearer than 22 months ago- only they are …no more ? If you’re saying to yourself “wtf”
So am I . Sometime back, my activeX controls stopped working… it’s been murder to my computer so that I can’t really use it much anymore… Pestpatrol still works and detects nothing unusual, but the better ones like Norton IS or S&D are dead in the the water, in fact Norton comes running back with the white flag upon startup each time and shuts itself down.
With no activeX I’m just lucky to have another computer at home to that has ME on it to find the file paths… I’ve got no start menu, all but 4 icons on the desktop are gone and I can’t view specific files inside folders in the Explore menu. To trick it somehow or another to go online only rewards you with any one page (your choice) that reloads itself twice every second…
I’ve even thought about networking my wife’s laptop to mine and possibly navigating my system using her computer (with working activeX) but certain facilities of the intial set-up wizards on my end are unavailable… to drive and load a new program (anti-virus or restore software) on my computer is in vain even from a floppy… I swear whatever I dream-up this thing is just screwed-up enough to not let me do it.
I’m sure if I had more knowledge of Dos and programing, but from where I sit and what I sit IN the whole time… it’s just not looking good… you guys say CD/DVD-R and my computer says, “Where’s that?”
Any ideas would be helpful, but even for the pros out there- don’t get too worked-up over my problem, that’s not helping anything k? 
gees, when I said don’t get worked-up, I was hoping for a response at least… 
Ok, how about this- HOw do I get to my ActiveX settings in WINME? I’m getting one of these: “Your current security settings prohibit running ActiveX controls on the
page”… implying if I can get to them to adjust them, i could be that much better off in my fight… any ideas… I mean, constructive ideas that is :rolleyes:
ActiveX has NOTHING to do with you having no start menu or having problems navigating around in your own disk drive.
Those problems are indicative of massive registry damage which can often be casued by a fouled up system restore, or just general WinME flakiness plus age.
Methinks your installation is so fouled up you’d better grab your data off that Titanic before turns turtle & dives for Davey Jone’s locker for the last time. It won’t be long now.