116 Troubleshooting
Restoring Your Operating System
You can restore your operating system in the following ways:
• Microsoft Windows Vista 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. For
instructions, see "Using Microsoft
Windows System Restore" on page116.
• Dell PC Restore by Symantec restores your hard drive to the operating
state it was in when you purchased the computer. Dell PC Restore
permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any
applications installed after you received the computer. Use PC Restore
only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.
Forinstructions, see "Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec" on page 117.
• If you received
Operating System
media with your computer, you can use it
to restore your operating system. However, using the
Operating System
media also deletes all data on the hard drive. Use the media
only
if System
Restore did not resolve your operating system problem. For instructions,
see "Using the Operating System Media" on page 119.

Using Microsoft Windows System Restore

The Windows 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. 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.
1
Click
Start
→
Help and Support
.
2
Typ e
System Restore
in the search field, then press <Enter>.
NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an
administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your
administrator to continue the desired action.
3
Click
Next
and follow the remaining prompts on the screen.