Dell D420 Restoring Your Operating System, Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore

Page 73

Restoring Your Operating System

You can restore your operating system in the following ways:

•Microsoft® Windows® XP System Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files. Use System Restore as the first solution for restoring your operating system and preserving data files.

•If you received an Operating System CD with your computer, you can use it to restore your operating system. However, using the Operating System CD also deletes all data on the hard drive. Use the CD only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.

Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore

The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. See the Windows Help and Support Center for information on using System Restore. To access the Windows Help and Support Center, see Windows Help and Support Center.

NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover them.

NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view, so they may not apply if you set your Dell™ computer to the Windows Classic view.

Creating a Restore Point

1.Click Start→ Help and Support.

2.Click the task for System Restore.

3.Follow the instructions on the screen.

Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State

If problems occur after you install a device driver, use Device Driver Rollback (see Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback) to resolve the problem. If that is unsuccessful, then use System Restore.

NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close any open files and exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

1.Click Start→ All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ System Restore.

2.Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected and click Next.

3.Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.

The Select a Restore Point screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore points. All calendar dates with available restore points appear in boldface type.

4.Select a restore point and click Next.

If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically selected. If two or more restore points are available, click the restore point that you prefer.

5.Click Next.

The Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data and then the computer restarts.

6.After the computer restarts, click OK.

To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can undo the restoration.

Undoing the Last System Restore

NOTICE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open files and exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

1.Click Start→ All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ System Restore.

2.Click Undo my last restoration→ Next.

Page 72 Page 74
Image 73
Page 72 Page 74
Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms Dell Latitude D420 Users GuideFront View About Your ComputerDevice status lights Keyboard and network status lights Fingerprint reader optionalLeft View Audio connectorsRight View Modem connector RJ-11 USB connectorsNetwork connector RJ-45 Video connectorBottom View Back to Contents Appendix Cleaning Your ComputerFCC Notice U.S. Only Macrovision Product NoticeFCC Class B Battery Performance Using a BatteryChecking the Battery Charge Dell QuickSet Battery MeterPower Management Modes Conserving Battery PowerLow-Battery Warning Standby ModeCharging the Battery Configuring Power Management SettingsReplacing the Battery Hibernate ModeStoring a Battery Installing a PC Card or 34-mm ExpressCard Using CardsCard Types Card BlanksInstalling a PC Card Installing a Smart Card or Secure Digital SD CardInstalling a 34-mm Express Card Removing a PC Card, 34-mm Express Card, or Blank Back to Contents Adjusting Brightness Using the DisplaySwitching the Video Image Setting Display Resolution and Refresh RateSwapping Primary and Secondary Displays What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Finding InformationGuides Service Tag and Microsoft Windows LicenseDell Support Website support.dell.com Select Drivers & Downloads and click GoOperating System CD Glossary Docking device See APR Device driver See driverPage Page NIC See network adapter Page System tray See notification area Video resolution See resolutionBack to Contents Getting Help Online ServicesObtaining Assistance Ftp.dell.comAutoTech Service Problems With Your OrderAutomated Order-Status Service Support ServiceBefore You Call Diagnostics ChecklistContacting Dell Antigua and BarbudaAustralia Sydney Aruba0011 Website support.euro.dell.comColombia China XiamenCosta Rica Czech Republic PragueCorporate France Paris MontpellierGermany Langen GreeceItaly Milan GeneralJamaica Website support.jp.dell.comWebsite support.ap.dell.com Malaysia Penang MacaoMexico MontserratSt. Kitts and Nevis Puerto RicoSt. Lucia St. Vincent002 Website support.ap.dell.com TaiwanWebsite support.ap.dell.com Thailand Trinidad/TobagoVenezuela Virgin IslandsNumeric Keypad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadKey Combinations Touch Pad Power ManagementFingerprint Reader optional Speaker FunctionsCustomizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Changing the Track-Stick CapMouse Properties window Page Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem Setting Up a NetworkNetwork Setup Wizard Wireless Local Area Network WlanSetting Up a New Wlan Checking Your Wireless Network CardWhat You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Connecting to a Wireless Local Area NetworkEnabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network WwanConnecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Under Pick a Help topic, click Dell User and System GuidesInternet Connection Firewall Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network LocatorBefore You Begin Adding and Replacing PartsRecommended Tools Turning Off Your ComputerHard Drive Removing the Hard Drive Dismantling the Hard Drive Hinge Cover Replacing the Hard DriveMemory KeyboardPage Mini-Cards Wireless Local Area Network Wlan CardsMobile Broadband Wwan Cards Page Subscriber Identity Module SIM Card Coin-Cell Battery Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless TechnologyBack to Contents Dell QuickSet Passwords Using Smart CardsSecuring Your Computer Security Cable LockUsing an Administrator Password Using a Primary/System PasswordUsing a Hard Drive Password Trusted Platform Module TPMUsing the Security Management Software Enabling the TPM FeatureSecurity Management Software Activating the Security Management SoftwareIf Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Computer Tracking SoftwareViewing the System Setup Screens System Setup ProgramSystem Setup Screens Commonly Used SettingsChanging COM Ports Performing a One-Time BootEnabling the Infrared Sensor Locate Fast IR under Onboard DevicesPage What Is a Driver? Reinstalling SoftwareReinstalling Drivers and Utilities DriversManually Reinstalling Drivers Using the Drivers and Utilities CDSoftware and Hardware Incompatibilities Click Start→ Help and SupportCreating a Restore Point Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreUndoing the Last System Restore Restoring Your Operating SystemEnabling System Restore Using the Operating System CDReinstalling Windows XP Before You BeginSpecifications Video CommunicationsAudio DisplayAC Adapter BatteryEnvironmental PhysicalAbbreviations and Acronyms Transferring Information to a New Computer Start the Files and Settings Transfer WizardClick Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Back to Contents Identifying Your Computer Traveling With Your ComputerPacking the Computer Travel TipsBack to Contents Dell Technical Update Service TroubleshootingDell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsOption Function Dell Diagnostics Main MenuAccessing the Dell Support Utility Drive ProblemsDell Support Utility Clicking the Dell Support IconHard drive problems CD and DVD drive problemsProblems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding soundError Messages Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsVerify that the modem is communicating with Windows Page Click Start→ Control Panel→ Add or Remove Programs Keyboard Problems Ieee 1394 Device ProblemsExternal Keyboard problems Unexpected characters Lockups and Software ProblemsComputer does not start up Computer stops respondingNetwork Problems Memory ProblemsOther software problems Solid blue screen appearsWireless Local Area Network Wlan PC Card or ExpressCard ProblemsMobile Broadband Network Restart the computer and log on to the network againEnsuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Power ProblemsDocking Power Considerations Scanner Problems Printer ProblemsAC Power Loss While the Computer Is Docked Docking While the Computer Is RunningTouch Pad or Mouse Problems Sound and Speaker ProblemsNo sound from headphones No sound from integrated speakersIf the display is blank Video and Display ProblemsIf the display is difficult to read If only part of the display is readable Adjust the Windows display settingsClick Start→ Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes Connect an external monitor
Related manuals
Manual 98 pages 6.96 Kb
Top Page Image Contents