Vista Reliability Monitor no longer adding new data

A new feature in Vista is the Reliability Monitor.  It compiles data from the event log, Windows errors, blue screens, and various Windows performance logs to compute a reliability index from 1 to 10 (where 10 is most reliable).  More importantly, it graphs the index over time and can give you a quick snapshot of any problems with the machine.

I had a problem with the Reliability Monitor not updating its data since early August.  I found this solution on the microsoft.public.windows.vista.performance_maintenance newsgroup and am promoting it here.  Hat tip to clayga.

1. Back up the files in the C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\RAC\PublishedData and
   StateData directories.  The best way to do this is to open the RAC folder, copy the two folders inside and paste them.  You’ll probably have to go through a UAC prompt to do this.
2. Empty both directories (i.e. delete all the files in them).  Note after
   doing this Reliability Monitor puts up a text message in place of the
   Stability Chart that says something to the effect that the data is missing or
   corrupt.
3. Open a Command Prompt with elevated (Administrator) privileges.
4. Execute RACAgent at the prompt.  Note that the task will run for a while
   (several minutes on my system).
5. Open Reliability Monitor.  Note that some or all of the Stability Chart
   is back.
6. Check the "Last Updated:" date.  If it’s earlier than yesterday’s date,
   repeat steps 4 and 5 after first closing Reliability Monitor.  

 Original Google Groups posting.

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