System Restore Service fails to start

[Strider]

Hi all,
I have XP SP2. I noticed that the System Restore Service fails to start, and when I try to start it manually I get the error "The system cannot find the drive specified." System restore has been nonfunctional for months; I went back in the event log and found errors in February when it tried to start. Any ideas?

[JimmyLoveNYC]

Hello Strider!

Did you check in your services to see if the "System Restore Service" is set to automatic and is started?

Sometimes we overlook the simple things.

[AnnMarie]

If you still have a problem, post the errors from your Event Log Strider.

[Strider]

JimmyLoveNYC--yes, it's set to start automatically.
AnnMarie (bear with me): in the Event Viewer I get these 2 errors apparently every time the system boots or I try to access System Restore:
1) Source: SRService, Event ID 104, The System Restore initialization process failed.
2) Source: ServiceControlManager, Event ID 7023, The System Restore Service terminated with the following error: The system cannot find the drive specified.
The following may or may not be germaine. If I click the System Restore tab in Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > System Properties I get the error "An exception occurred while trying to run "C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll,Control_RunDL L C:\Windows\System32\sysdm.cpl, @ sysdm.cpl,10000"
If I click System Restore in Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > See Also, I get a little window titled System Restore Application that says System Restore Application has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconveninece... For more information about this error click here > Error Signature AppName: rstrui.exe; AppVer: 5.1.2600.2180; ModName: srrstr.dll; ModVer5.1.2600.2180; offset 00009826. To view technical information about the error report click here > [generated a text file that disappeared when I closed the error windows above it].

[Rainbow32]

Have you run the System File Checker tool? Run> sfc /scannow

[JimmyLoveNYC]

Hello again Strider!

You might wanna' take a look at this Microsoft article concerning System Restore and rstrui.exe and what they (M$) suggest:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=267511

Or as previously suggested by Rainbow32: run> sfc /scannow

Or at boot-up choose "last known good configuration".

Good Luck!

[AnnMarie]

If you still have a problem after trying the previous suggestions, try reinstalling System Restore Strider. To do this, rightclick on the sr.inf file located in your C:\Windows\Inf directory (it's a hidden directory) and choose Install. Reboot afterwards and see if you can set a Restore Point.

[Strider]

Thanks, Rainbow32. That sounded like a good idea, but it didn't work .
AnnMarie, reinstalling system restore seems to have worked; it allowed me to create a restore point. Thanks much!

[AnnMarie]

That's good news and you are very welcome Strider.