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If Something Goes Wrong
Develop good computing habits
Backing up your data or your entire device with the Windows® operating system
The most valuable component of your device system is the
data you create and store on its internal storage drive. Since
problems with either hardware or software can make the
data inaccessible or even destroy it, the next most valuable
component of your device system may be a recent backup
of your data.
Fortunately, the Windows® operating system offers a
convenient way to back up your device or just your
important files to optical disc drives, or hard drives. An
external hard drive is recommended in case the internal
storage drive fails. No additional software is required.
External optical disc writers are also widely available.
Follow these steps to back up your device or files to optical
discs, or a storage drive:
You cannot back up the device while running on battery
power. Connect the AC adaptor before continuing.
1From the Start screen, type Control. Click or touch
Control Panel from the list that appears.
2Click or touch Save backup copies of your files with
File History under the System and Security heading.
Follow the on-screen instructions to back up your files.
For additional Help, while in the Windows® Desktop screen,
press the F1 key to launch the Windows® Help and Support
screen. Search for “back up files”.
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, optical disc drive 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 page123). 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
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