194 If Something Goes Wrong
Develop good computing habits
1Prepare your backup target by connecting it and/or inserting a
blank CD or DVD in the drive.
2Click Start.
3Click Control Panel.
4Click System and Maintenance.
5Click Backup and Restore Center.
6You can choose to back up some files or the entire computer.
Click either Back up filesor Back up computer.
If you choose to back up your entire computer, you will be setting up
a scheduled backup that will be performed periodically, and will only
include the changes made since the last backup.
7Follow the on-screen help to complete your backup.
For more help, click Start, Help and Support, and search for
“back up.”
General tips for installing hardware and software
Here are a few tips to help ensure safe and easy installation of new
hardware (printers, pointing devices, external hard drives, DVD
writers, scanners, etc.) and software (applications like Microsoft®
Office and Adobe® Photoshop®, or utility software such as special
toolbars for your web browser).
❖Create a Restore Point (refer to “Saving system configuration
with Restore Points” on page 192). Before installing anything,
use the System Restore utility to set a Restore Point (see the
section titled Restore Points). If anything goes wrong, you will
then be able to easily restore the Windows® operating system to
the state it was in prior to the installation, undoing any changes
that the installation process introduced.
❖Back up your critical data (see “Backing up your data or your
entire computer with the Windows® operating system” on
page 193).
❖Have your factory Restore/Reconfiguration CD(s) on hand in
case you need any files from them (available on certain
models).
❖Do not guess—follow directions carefully! It is often necessary
to run an installation utility first—before connecting a new
hardware item to the computer. If the device is connected first,
it may be very difficult to complete the installation