Dell NY105 manual Restoring Your Operating System, Microsoft Windows Vista

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.

Microsoft 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:

•Microsoft Windows XP System Restore and Microsoft Windows Vista System Restore return 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 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.

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.

Starting 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.

Microsoft Windows XP

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

2Click either Restore my computer to an earlier time or Create a restore point.

3Click Next and follow the remaining on-screen prompts.

Reinstalling Software

105