RollBack Rx V9.1 Build 2697287695 (May 18, 2012)

Release Notes

 

I tried installing this latest version but I get an error:

Failed to open configuration file \rollback20120515 v9.1\Setupcfg with error 0x2.

 

Thanks for the heads up!

 

Hello all,

Just a bit of observation from my end on the new build:

• Install was very smooth, RBRx even registered without a hitch.
• Boot times have improved on my system, times cut by approximately 40 to 50 %.
• Speed of snapshot defragger drastically improved, approximately 70 to 80 % less time.
• RBRx already was barely noticeable on my system, but new version seems to run even smoother with less system impact.
• All in all beyond the bug/fix list for this new version, it seems like a fair bit of fine tuning as to overall operation and performance was made. Performance wise and system impact wise, on my system this new version has noticeable improvement

I know these improvements are noticed on my system, but hopefully most will see these same benefits...

 

Kent,

I too noticed somewhat better startup and defrag times but the degree of improvement on my system isn't nearly up to what you reported (which version of Windows are you using?). Still, any performance benefit along with bug fixes is always welcomed.

Scott

 

Hi Scott,

I am running Vista HP x64 here. Previous versions of RBRx have always ran a bit sluggish here, hence maybe accounting for my higher % improvements. Boot times have been slow enough in the past for me to remove RBRx. In fact I did not have it installed when the new release came out. Running very efficient here now and at the moment have no plans to remove it anytime soon. If it had ran this good previously, I never would have taken it off my machine. I am glad you noticed some improvement too. Maybe a sign of good things to come in version 10?

 

Does installing the update leave all existing snapshots in place or does it create a new baseline? thx

 

You have to uninstall and then reinstall.

Best regards,

KOR!

P.S. This is what I understand, I might be wrong!

 

KOR, you are absolutely correct. But that is just a minor annoynance (to me) with this handy program (because I backup my snapshots).

@Scoobs, uninstalling RB kisses goodbye to all snapshots (unless you back them up before uninstalling)!

Scott

 

Thanks for the explanation guys.

 

Can Corrupt MBR

I've been talking with Jester Santos in the Horizon Apps group.....great help ! I am taking 12 PCs and unisntalling the July 2011 v9.1 Build 2696359952 and then installing the new May 2012 Build 2697287695. I've made it thru half of them with no problems !!! I can also confirm this version seems to be less burden on the system and faster on defrags and baseline rolls.

However, one one of my machines, DELL Inspiron 1545 W7 64-bit....all latest drivers, etc. does not install....in fact it corrupts the MBR. When I install the new May-12 build it reboots and installs during boot.....looks fine. The system comes up and I can go into the RRX Windows console, etc....all is fine. However, when I reboot the machine the next time it locks after POST....no RollBack RX console....black screen. I then have to hard reboot with W7 repair CD in and go into repair console under Command Prompt and do a BootRec /FixMBR. This allows the system to boot up and I use the unistaller/cleaner to remove. I have tried this several times including doing a CHKDSK /F and Defrag to make sure no HDD issues....none. I even run a HDD util check from DELL....all is well. I also make sure my AVAST A/V (all shields) are disabled during this process because I know it can block MBR updates. I've gone ahead and re-installed the July-11 Build 2696359952 which works fine....done several reboots.

Anyway, wanted to post the above for those who run in to this.
Also, wanted to make sure you know how to recover your system with the W7 Repair CD.
Couple other notes.......1) Always make sure you A/V shields are off during isntall else RX installer may get blocked changing MBR and 2) always make sure your internet connection is hooked up on unistall......why, because this removes the activation key from Horzion Server so when you re-install new Build and use the same key you won't get the "exceeded limit" message.

 

Re: Can Corrupt MBR

Welcome to Rollback and its nightmare. Been there, done it, uninstalled it permanently.

Best regards,

KOR!

P.S. It is not worth it salt. Mostly, it is hype!

 

Re: Can Corrupt MBR

More from KOR in this thread (post #33): https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=325639&page=2

I agree, great restore point program but only a modest defense against malware as the MBR is not protected.

I have found support to be just so so and the programming staff not that good when it comes to fixing serious bugs.

 

I have been using a PC for more years than I care to mention and I have never had any malware attack the mbr and I would suggest that this kind of attack does not comprise the bulk of maleware attacks that can and do take place. So what if Rx does not protect the mbr, that is not a big deal if you are aware of this fact and take steps to counter it. A simple mbr backup in case you need it or regularly imaging the drive will take care of this issue.

I have had occasion to roll back using Rx many times over the past 3 years, not specifically for malware as I have a good anti malware anti-virus program which catches the badies before they get onto the PC. The rollbacks were used for a variety of other issues ranging from bad updates to corrupted programs and RX has never failed to provide a fully functional machine.

Rx, as has been said a great many times, is not the end all of protection but it does have its place in a security regime. As a highly flexible super duper restore point program it is excellent, much better than the one that comes with Windows and thats why I am using it.

By all means do not use it if you do not wish to but your statements about the lack of value of Rx are way overblown.

And yes, Horizon could def be better at alerting users to the (in my mind) minor shortcoming of the program (that it does not protect against drive failure and it does not protect the mbr) but that hardly makes the program useless.

 

Normally I would stay out of this but I do have some thoughts...

KOR says... "It is a super duper Restore Point program." then says... "It is not worth it salt. Mostly, it is hype!" It appears he's not quite sure...

I disagree. I have used RBrx error free (apparently not KOR's experience) on both XPpro and W7 HP systems without incident... and I use it's snapshot capability in a fairly sophisticated way. I do agree with KOR in that it's probably the best Restore Point program I've ever used. Now I'm not sure what "it salt" is that it's not worth, but I find it a very valuable addition to my arsenal of tools... one that I currently choose not to live without.

2YsUR says..."I agree, great restore point program but only a modest defense against malware as the MBR is not protected."

I disagree. Yes, Rollback has been hijacked by certain malwares (TDSS and SafeSys) that access your MBR, but being as those types of malwares probably make up less that 1/2 of 1-percent of all that exist in the wild... I would not call that a modest defense. protecting my system against 99+% of all malware is a pretty decent percentage, especially since all the AV/AM/AS programs out there don't even do that decent a job of protection. Sure, those protectors try and be proactive where RBrx just happens to allow you to be reactive by its design... but being able to rid myself of 99+% of all invading baddies is a little more than just modest protection.

The claim is that "Shadow Defender," one of the many sandbox solutions using a virtual machine area for protection, does protect again TDSS and SafeSys... I cannot dispute this (never tested it). What I can say is that there are many forums available concerning virtual sandbox solutions that have proven ineffective against ROOTKITs that go after MBRs... so MBR protection seems a bit misplaced even in those types of solutions.

My only point is as follows... any solution (snapshot, sandbox, etc.) that protects your system at the 99+% level is a good solution... not just a modest one... unless you're looking for perfection, of course... and that ain't available. (here comes StuxNet and Flame!! )

 

Ok, I can live with that difference

The real purpose of my post was to point out the apparent contradiction in KOR’s posts and to alert others that RBrx is not the 100% protection that many have been led to believe.

I like and use RBrx but I have come to understand that one should use it with an image restoration program and of couse a good AV.

 

I absolutely, and unequivocally, agree... too YsUR!

 

As far "Restore Points" are concerned, whether it is Microsoft or Super Duper of Rollback Rx, they are only worth if they don't contain virus and/or malware in them, and it doesn't matter if these viruses and/or malware are sophisticated or not.

Now, is Rollback Rx worth it salt. Not really! Keeping in mind one has to pay an arm and a leg to acquire it and then have to pay another arm and a leg for yearly maintenance charges.

Add to that, the apparent slowdown in booting the computer and then further slowdown in other areas. And, the headaches of maintenance of Rollback Rx itself.

Not worth the salt, even it is a Super Duper Restore Point Software.

I can go on further, but out of respect of a certain member, I am stopping here.

Best regards,

KOR!

 

And...you left out the re-activation problems whenever you uninstall it and/or re-install it.
Furthermore, your computer hard disk [Windows partition] becomes heavily fragmented over time and no 3rd party defragmenters will work under RB Rx supervision.


All this, a turn off for me.


Carlos

 

Thank you Froggie, very well said and I agree 110%.

 

None of these issues are critical, they are mild irritants and nothing more for many of us. If they are a turn of for you simply do not use the program. No one is trying to convince you or anyone else to use the program if you don't want to. Each of us has to decide what they are willing to tolerate or put up with (for me the nuisances of these shortcomings are far outweighed by the pluses I get) and this applies to all programs. I don't like IE so I use Opera, others dont like either IE or Opera so they might use Firefox or Google browsers. Each to their own and viva la difference.

 

Well I had some issues un-installing the blasted thing (mainly because of AppGuard) and also had some issues of reactivating the key (but a quick phone call to the company fixed that).

After that the new version is much faster. Start up times are quicker and when I log in, windows no longer hangs for a minute or two while things load.

Loving the update.