If Something Goes Wrong

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Develop good computing habits

Your local computer store or book store sells a variety of self- help books you can use to supplement the information in the manuals.

Data and system configuration backup in Windows XP

Windows XP offers some easy-to-use features for backing up your Windows settings and your data – documents and other important files. Take advantage of these features to protect yourself from much more difficult and time-consuming restoration procedures, and to safeguard your valuable data from loss.

Saving system configuration with Restore Points

The System Restore feature of Windows XP quickly creates Restore Points—‘snapshots’ of your Windows configuration—and saves them for later recall. If you experience problems after installing some new hardware or software, you can easily select a previously established Control Point to ‘turn back the clock,’ restoring Windows to the state it was in just prior to the installation. This is much easier and more effective than uninstalling the hardware or software, which often leaves behind unwanted files and settings. It is also easy to undo a Restore Point selection, if you change your mind.

Follow these steps to create a Restore Point using the System Restore utility:

1Click Start.

2Click Help and Support.3Under Pick a Task, click Undo changes to your computer with System Restore.4Click Create a restore point, and then click Next.

5In the Restore point description field, enter a name that is descriptive enough to be easily understood in the future, such as “Before installing Brand X Accounting app.” Then click Create.