78 Reinstalling Software
Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ Operating Systems
If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is
detected but incorrectly configured, you can use the Hardware
Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility.
To start the Hardware Troubleshooter:
1
Click the Windows Vista Start button
,
and click
Help and Support.
2
Typ e
hardware troubleshooter
in the search field and press
<Enter> to start the search.
3
In 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
Windows Vista
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 Factory Image Restore returns your hard drive to the operating state it
was in when you purchased the computer. It permanently deletes all data
on the hard drive and removes any programs installed after you received
the computer. Use 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 system provides 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