What is required to get the system to create the automatic restore points that it should? The "Turn off system restore" check-box is not now, and never has been, checked. Is there some system process that also must be active? Some registry key that has maybe been corrupted?

Goto Start/Ctrl Panel/Admin Tools/Services scroll down the services list to make sure the System Restore Service is enabled (automatic). Or Create your own restore point. Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore > ( I use classic view so your system restore location might be different ) click on Create a restore point - and follow the wizards directions.

You can go to Start->Help & Support->from > click on 3rd options(system restore). From there you can restore your system back to the date you wanted or you can start create your restore point by giving the name. When you have things went wrong with your system you can use that file name to restore to good state.....hope you know it.

Sometimes just changing the amount of disk space System Restore uses slightly results in it working properly again. Don't ask me why, it's just something I noticed.

Ger, I have tried changing the amount of diskspace in several increments between 3.3GB and 4.6GB. The latter is the amount when the slider is positioned at max. So far, it has not helped. I will try a few more bfore I give up. Do you suppose that turning Sysssstem Restore off, booting, turning it on, and booting again might do the trick? Mike, Is is set for automatic - and has been. If it hadn't, I wouldd not have posted the question because I would not have expected automatic restore points or I would have had egg on my face. And yes, I have been creating restore points manually (or I would not have any at all). Azn2Kew, The question was not "How do you use System Restore to restore to an earlier configuration?" Did you get poor grades in school because you didn't read the questions on the test?

Problem resolved. The fix was turning system restore off and then turning it on again.