hi there,
sorry if this is a stoopid question but, if i have created recovery disks for my new hp/vista laptop which i did ( 3 dvds) immediately before using or changing any settings.
do i really need system restore running or is this even related?

apart from losing any files or programs installed since then (which i wouldnt really mind as is nothing important) is there any major reason why i should keep system restore turned on or could i just use these disks?

i only ask as norton seemed to have excluded system volume info from scans, so i googled it and lots of people seem to have problems with this, there is info on how to turn it off but most advise not to, if i store/back up any files i would prefer not to lose on a usb drive or similar device, would i be able to restore back to original condition with these dvds if i have some serious crash.

hope this make at least some sense as i have upgraded from ancient pc and its all very new to me.
thanks for your time.
jim

System Restore is a valuable tool, and may save you from having to reinstall everything in case of problems.
The malware problem with System Restore is easily remedied, but I'd retain the points "just in case".

If you're going to backup all your data to removable devices, I'd also suggest backing up your registry to a removable device. With that done, all you'll lose is your customized settings (the one's that aren't retained in the registry).

Here's a link to a nice, free registry backup tool called ERUNT: http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

thanks lars, clicked your "knack" link and strange things happened including my av/firewall shutting itself down so not what happened there.
i seem to have some parts of the knack, not so much the knowhow more of the social dysfunction side lol.
cheers anyway