RE: System Restore stores tooo much
- From: augfl <augfl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2006 08:23:02 -0700
I would like to thank everyone for their helpful suggestions. With the aid of
Microsoft, I spent a couple of hours troubleshooting the problem today and I
would like to pass on what we found in case anyone else ever has a similar
problem.
The problem boils down to this: when Norton Internet Security is "on", and
System Restore is "on", something in Norton, possibly a log file, adds 0.8 GB
to the disk everytime the computer is restarted. When Norton is turned "off",
or System Restore is turned "off", nothing is added to the disk. The System
Restore alone, without the Norton, adds less than 0.1 GB for each restore
point added. It is only when the two programs are running together that there
is a problem of the disk filling up.
I have uninstalled the Norton using the Add/Delete program in Windows XP,
and also used the Sym removal tool at norton.com/autotools. That resulted,
thank goodness, in a clean removal without difficulty. If there is
difficulty, the Microsoft Windows Install Cleanup Program is helpful. I have
had a lot of difficulty removing Norton in the past and had to use all three
approaches.
I have now installed ArmorShield. I also use the Windows Firewall which
(unlike Norton) does not conflict with the ArmorShield. ArmorShield is a free
antivirus and firewall program offered by RoadRunner, thus its selection. I
also scanned the computer for malware using two very useful programs,
hijackthis123.notlong.com, and clean321.notlong.com, which fixed any possible
problems other than Norton. But clearly after fixing the malware, if any, the
Norton continued to add 0.8 GB on every restart to the drive C. This probably
is an idiosyncracy from a corrupt Norton file, since Norton did not always
behave this way. It has been a good program in the past. But rather than try
to straighten it out, and since I have had great difficulty in the past in
attempting to reinstall Norton after a failed installation, I decided it was
easier to switch to another antivirus/firewall. I hope this may be helpful to
someone. Again, many thanks for your kind suggestions.
augfl
"Malke" wrote:
augfl wrote:.
Hello again Bert,
The System Restore function does not appear to be the problem. When I
reboot the computer,each time 0.8 GB is added to the disk. A series of
reboots shows total files on disk C properties window to be: 13.0 GB,
13.7, 14.5, 15.2, 16.0, 16.7, 17.5. All this on successive reboots and
without adding anything to the disk. That explains why the disk is
filling up, not the System Restore function. Any suggestions? Thanks
very much. Regards,
augfl
"augfl" wrote:
When System Restore (Windows XP, 80 GB disk, SP2, Dell Dimension
computer 2400 model) is turned on, it accumulates data in the 20+
gigabyte range, far more than it should, and far more than the 1 GB
that it is set to accumulate. Using Disk Clean Up to remove all but
the most recent Restore Point fails to delete this excess data. The
only way to remove the excess data is to turn off and then turn on
System Restore. The slider for System Restore is set to just 1
gigabyte, but wherever it is set doesn't matter. The same excess
accumulation occurs. How can the System Restore function be set so
that it doesn't accumulate more data than it is supposed to? And what
data is it accumulating? No downloads of files have occurred to fill
up the disk. The
files and programs only take up 10 GB. Only turning off and on the
System Restore will delete these excess files.
I'm not Bert, but I have some questions/suggestions.
1. What is the virus/malware-status of the machine? *Something* is
adding files; this doesn't happen "all by itself". Make sure the
computer is clean:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
2. What type(s) of files are they? You can also right-click on some of
the files and choose Properties and see if you can find their owner by
looking on the Version tab. Make sure you are able to see all hidden
files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options). In XP, there are
four checkboxes to deal with:
a. Check "Display the contents of system folders".
b. Check "Show hidden files and folders".
c. Uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types".
d. Uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" and click "OK" to the
dialog box.
3. If the machine is clean and you can't figure out what program owns
those files, do clean-boot troubleshooting:
Clean boot in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
Clean-boot advanced troubleshooting in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434
and How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
4. Look in Event Viewer for clues:
Start>Run>eventvwr.msc [enter]
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
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