Restore Point

[taichi]

Running Vista 32 on a T60p, I mistakenly uninstalled a game. I can restore using a restore point from 24 hours earlier. Is there any downside to a restore? Also will it wipe out documents that I wrote today?

Thanks!

[RealBlackStuff]

That should be obvious!
You restore to a previous point in time.
Anything that was changed/created since taking it, will be wiped out.
So backup your new docs etc., then restore system, then restore new docs from backup.

[dr_st]

That really depends on the settings of System Restore, as well as the location of said files. System Restore does not monitor the entire drive by default, only specific directories / file types.

More here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Restore

Wouldn't it be simpler to just reinstall the game?

[taichi]

That should be obvious!
You restore to a previous point in time.
Anything that was changed/created since taking it, will be wiped out.
So backup your new docs etc., then restore system, then restore new docs from backup.

I've found in general that nothing is obvious. While I was considering doing a restor, a window in the Restore Center indicated that it would not delete any documents.

My concern is really whether doing a restore introduces instability into a system.

Thanks

[taichi]

That really depends on the settings of System Restore, as well as the location of said files. System Restore does not monitor the entire drive by default, only specific directories / file types.

More here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Restore

Wouldn't it be simpler to just reinstall the game?

I could reinstall, but then would have to endure all the difficult levels that I painstakingly mastered!

Todah

[dr_st]

With many games the uninstaller leaves the user information, including settings and saved games intact. Are you sure these are not still on your computer?

[taichi]

With many games the uninstaller leaves the user information, including settings and saved games intact. Are you sure these are not still on your computer?

I had hoped that was the case initially, but somehow the patch that was supposedly an update to the old game Mafia, actually uninstalled the game. However what is so "suspicious" is that the uninstallation took about 5-7 seconds!

I looked in C>Programs, and the folder for Illusion (maker of Mafia) is empty. There is a "Mafia" folder, but all it contains is a link for registering the game.

I looked in the recycle bin...nothing.

I wonder if the files have become hidden files. Again, what's strange is that the "uninstallation" took under ten seconds.

Todah, todah.

[dr_st]

Try looking for the saved games directory (I'd just do a search for filenames containing "Mafia") under the Users / Documents and Settings directory. Sometimes the games keep the saves there. Although it may be only Mafia II, not sure.

[JeffCullen]

You're talking about the original Mafia game, not Mafia 2, right?

I can't remember where that game stores its saves... but I can tell you the files are called mafia*.* (i.e. mafia000.000), so you could search your hard drive for those files. System Restore is unlikely to help you here...

(I have a .zip of the save files from when I played it 8 years ago... I'm not a huge gamer and there aren't many games I like but that one was fantastic!)

[taichi]

Yes...the original Mafia game, which is an extraordinary game...particularly given the year it was produced. Certain missions are absolutely compelling.

Can't even imagine playing Mafia 2 on my T60p!

I'll try searching for those file types tomorrow.

Thanks, gentlemen.