72 Solving Problems
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\patricia_drake\Desktop\New Folder\D5016c70.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 3/18/04 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Using 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 Help and Support Center for information on using System Restore. To access help,
see page 17.
NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor your data files or
recover them.

Creating a Restore Point

1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
2
Click
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 page69) 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 all open files and
close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is
complete.
1
Click the
Start
button, point to
All Programs
Accessories
System Tools
, and then click
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 bold.
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 Comple te
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.