Windows Me Doesn't Work for Me Finding Microsoft Backup D. E. Levine
Adam Noabe sent me an email about his current experience with Windows Me. He's not very happy about the way the system is performing and since he's not the only one to report these specific problems, I thought I print his complaint and give you a short tutorial and tips on how to get around the problems. Listen to what Adam had to say:
AN: I just bought a new laptop pre-loaded with Windows Me as the operating system and a lot of McAfee software with which I'm not familiar. I can't say I'm particularly happy with my laptop from my initial experience and I think it's basically because of Windows Me.
My first problem is that I can't even locate Microsoft Backup, something that I depend upon regularly. In addition, after using the McAfee virus scanning and QuickClean software, I can't get the System Restore function of Me to work. What should I do about this? Is it my laptop or my system?
WP: Adam, you're not alone. I heard similar complaints from other readers and associates and found some information and tips that you'll find helpful. Let's tackle the problems in the order you listed them, first the missing Microsoft Backup and then the non-working System Restore.
Microsoft Backup should be on your computer. If you had installed Windows Me over a previous version Microsoft Backup would be there from the previous version. Since you bought your laptop preloaded with the operating system you'll have to check the laptop to locate it and if it isn't there I'll tell you where to find it and how to install it.
Finding Microsoft Backup in Windows Me
Step 1. Check to locate Microsoft Backup on your laptop by clicking on Start in the lower left hand corner of the desktop. Then click on Search For Files And Folders.
Step 2. In the Look In box appears select Local Hard Drives.
Step 3. In the Search For Files Or Folders Named box type 'msbackup.exe' (without the apostrophes) and click Search Now.
Step 4. If Microsoft Backup is on your computer already it will appear in the Search Results box.
Step 5. If the msbackup.exe file appears you can right click on it and select Create Shortcut. If you decide to create a shortcut on the Desktop, click Yes and drag the shortcut to the Start Menu.
Step 6. If the Search doesn't locate the msbackup.exe file, you do have it on the Windows Me disk. Simply insert your CD into your laptop drive and install it to your laptop from the disc.
System Restore Doesn't Work
Several months ago it was discovered that McAfee's QuickClean contains a bug that causes System Restore in Windows Me to stop working. The Systems Restore utility stores one to three weeks of changes made to the operating system. When you accidentally delete or corrupt a program file, settings or drive partitions, the System Restore can resurrect them. The utility also tracks software installations.
QuickClean is sold as a standalone product, as part of McAfee's Uninstaller, and as part of McAfee Office. By running the Registry Cleaner component of McAfee QuickClean you can eliminate defunct entries from your system. However, unfortunately QuickClean also removes a Registry key that defines .HTC file associations, and System Restore in Windows ME saves its data as .HTC files. Software testers at KeyLabs found that the files themselves aren't deleted, but by deleting the Registry key also deletes the links to the files.
There are currently two fixes that WinPlanet found that will get System Restore up and running after QuickClean has incapcitated it.
