To start the Hardware Troubleshooter:

Windows XP:

1Click StartHelp and Support.

2Type hardware troubleshooter in the search field and press <Enter> to start the search.

3In the Fix a Problem section, click Hardware Troubleshooter.

4In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, select the option that best describes the problem and click Next to follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.

Windows Vista:

1Click the Windows Vista start button , and click Help and Support.

2Type hardware troubleshooter in the search field and press <Enter> to start the search.

3In the search results, select the option that best describes the problem and follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.

Restoring Your Operating System

You can restore your operating system in the following ways:

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.

Dell PC Restore by Symantec (available in Windows XP) and Dell Factory Image Restore (available in Windows Vista) returns your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. Both permanently delete all data on the hard drive and remove any programs installed after you received the computer. Use Dell PC Restore or Dell Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.

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

Using Microsoft Windows System Restore

The Windows operating systems provide a System Restore option which allows 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. Any changes that System Restore makes to your computer are completely reversible.

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.

Solving Problems

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Dell 755 Restoring Your Operating System, Using Microsoft Windows System Restore, To start the Hardware Troubleshooter