Symptom
By default, System Restore creates automatic Restore Points (called as "System Checkpoints") every 24 Hrs. Many users complain that "System Checkpoints" are not created or created apparently random.

There are two reasons for this:

Case 1   The Automatic System Restore point depends upon Task Scheduler service, though Scheduled Tasks will not show System Restore as a job. System Restore Checkpoints may not be created if Task Scheduler service is Stopped.

Case 2  System Restore requires the machine to be in an idle state to create system check points. This is by design so that System Restore never intrudes when the user is using the machine by taking processing power to create a system checkpoint. Hence, if system restore never sees any idle time on the machine, it will not be able to create System Checkpoints. This usually occurs if an virus scan is running and the anti-virus software is running.

System Restore Service needs to be running in both cases.

First, make sure if the System Restore and Task Scheduler service are running and set to Automatic.
To manage the Services configuration, type "services.msc" in the RUN box.
Double-click each of the services and set them to Automatic.
Restart Windows XP.

To create a Restore Point automatically using a script, copy the contents to a notepad, save as CreateRP.VBS
set SRP = getobject("winmgmts:\\.\root\default:Systemrestore") CSRP = SRP.createrestorepoint ("Created a Restore Point now", 0, 100)

To create a Restore Point, just double-click the CreateRP.VBS file which you've just created.