Solutions: What to do when Windows XP System Restore won't work

I run Windows XP with Service Pack 2. System Restore creates automatic Restore Points. Also, before I load a new program, I create a Restore point. In recent weeks, when I have tried to restore my computer, it will not do it. When the computer boots up, I get this message: "Restoration Incomplete. Your computer cannot be Restored to : [DATE]. No changes have been made to your computer." I've tried it over and over again with different automatic Restore points and my own Restore points. Is there some way to get this valuable feature running again?

A few things to try: Go to Start, Run and type eventvwr.msc and press enter. Click System and then "Source" column header to sort by source name. Look for "sr" and "srservice." Check details of the events for clues. Next, try a System Restore after booting into Safe Mode. You can also try a Disk Cleanup specifying to delete all but the last Restore point. Another option is to turn System Restore off and then on, which should give a clean start. This should all be done after a full clean scan with your up-to-date antivirus/malware program. Many viruses corrupt restore data as their first point of attack.

I have Windows XP. I had the option of Slide Show in My Pictures to look at photos. The option seems to have disappeared. Can you explain how to get it back?

First, make sure the containing folder hasn't lost its "Pictures and Videos" designation. Right-click the folder and choose Properties. Click the Customize tab and make sure the "Use this folder type as a template" option is set to "Pictures and Videos." Click apply and then check if "Slide Show" appears. If that doesn't work, it could be that Windows Picture viewer was disabled. To re-enable it, click Start, Run and type "regsvr32 /i shimgvw.dll" without the quotes and putting in spaces before and after the /i and click OK.

My upgrade to Windows 7 from Vista was a mistake. I did a reinstall as a dual boot — I still need Vista to run programs. I had to do a download to run my HP printer bought in January. I still can't run my HP Photosmart 812 camera. I can't get Microsoft Age of Empires 2 to run with good graphics. I have about four more that run in Vista. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have upgraded. I have found no reason to change.

Your last sentence says it all — if it's not broken, don't fix it. Life is too short to deal with avoidable computer problems. But compatibility mode options may solve the problem. Right-click the executable file (or the shortcut) and click the Compatibility tab. Try various settings, such as Vista Compatibility. For anyone looking to upgrade to Windows 7, run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor ( windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/upgrade-advisor) and check results carefully.

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