138 If Something Goes Wrong
Develop good computing habits
Some people use a combination of these methods, backing
up all files weekly and copying critical files to external media
on a daily basis.
If you have installed your own programs, you should back up
these programs as well as your data files. If something goes
wrong that requires you to reformat your internal storage
drive and start again, reloading all your programs and data
files from a backup source will save time.
Read the documentation.
It is very difficult to provide a fail-safe set of steps you can
follow every time you experience a problem with the
computer. Your ability to solve problems will improve as you
learn about how the computer and its software work
together.
Get familiar with all of the documentation provided with your
computer, as well as the information that may come with the
programs and devices you purchase.
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 the

Windows® operating system

The Windows® operating system 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 the Windows® operating
system quickly creates restore points - ‘snapshots’ of your
Windows® operating system 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 the Windows® operating system 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.