I am unable to undo a system restore. Help please!?

Question

My brother did a system restore for some reason and didn't realize it would wipe out all of our files. I went in to undo the restore, but there is no option for that. There also doesn't seem to be any restore points for some reason? PLEASE tell me there is another way to recover my files.. I have all kinds of pictures and stuff that I don't wanna lose...

Answer 1

This happens when a malicious codec has been downloaded, often unknowingly.  Antivirus programs may pick up reference to them but do NOT fully remove them, as on reboot the problem continues.

There is no simple one click fix, you have to take a layered approach to dealing with these issues. The following programs have worked in removing malware and hijacks in hundreds of cases, but you won't get your Restore Points back, but I will come to that at the end of the list of free removal programs:

Edit: Use this program first:

Remove Restrictions Tool:

http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/RR...

Download from Softpedia Secure Download (RO), install, run and check all boxes then click Apply and then reboot. This tool re-enables what codecs/viruses have disabled.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:

http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Ant...

Download, install, update and select Full Scan.

Remove all infections that it finds after scan.

Wallpaper Hijacker Removal Tool:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Wallpaper_Hija...

Note: You should hit all "Repair" buttons even though it may not say "Found!" This will fix a wallpaper hijack everytime if all repair buttons are pressed.

RogueRemover:

http://majorgeeks.com/RogueRemover_d5360...

Download, install, update, scan and follow on screen prompts.

SmitFraud Removal

Firstly, download the removal tool from here:

http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix...

How to use:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2007/08/24

Spybot S&D:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/downl...

Download, install, update and Immunize, turn off Tea Timer then click 'Check for problems' then when complete select all and then 'Fix Checked'

Spyware Doctor Free Basic Edition - Realtime monitoring:

http://pack.google.com/intl/en/pack_inst...

Its free with Google pack, untick all boxes except Spyware Doctor. Download install, update and run.

SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition:

http://www.download.com/SUPERAntiSpyware...

Download, install, check for updates, then select Scan your Computer, select your drive and select Perform Complete Scan

Trojan and Worm Remover:

http://www.simplysup.com/tremover/downlo...

The program will work for a full 30 days, after which it will expire.

More details:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/03/07/t...

VundoFix:

http://www.symantec.com/content/en/us/gl...

Disconnect your computer from the internet

Run vundo

Restart your computer

Run the tool again to ensure no traces are left.

If there are the reboot into Safe Mode and run FixVundo again

A-Squared Free:

http://www.download.com/A-squared-Free/3...

This is not a limited version but a full tool to clean your computer from Malware, Spyware, Trojans, Backdoors, Worms, Dialers and Keyloggers.

How to use:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/07/07

Scan online with F-Prot Antivirus

http://files.f-prot.com/files/windows/fp...

Install and update and restart when requested.

Download trial of Windows Live OneCare and Scan:

http://onecare.live.com

If the problem persists, turn OFF System Restore and scan with the above programs in Safe Mode, Right click My computer > select Properties > System Restore Tab > Tick Turn Off System restore on all drives.

After scans are complete and machine is clean remember to turn system restore back ON and create a new restore point.

Once your scans are complete and your machine is clean, uninstall some of the programs, I suggest that you keep Malwarebytes for manual scanning, Spyware Doctor for realtime monitoring and Spybot. The remainder can be removed to save drive space, but you may want to keep the installers for future use.

Finally, to recover lost files use Recuva (pronounced “recover”) is a freeware Windows utility to restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. This includes files emptied from the Recycle bin as well as images and other files that have been deleted by users.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_recuva...

Beginners Guide Available:

http://www.internetrotsyourbrain.com/rec...

Answer 2

Try this free download.  http://www.recuva.com/