Save Your Data With A System Restore

2007-12-18 Word Count: 543 Category: Computers

Well, we all have been there. We turn on our computer (boot up) getting ready to type that school report, or business presentation and guess what, our computer just does not want to work today. Whether it's the word processor, spreadsheet, or financial package that isn't working, most people do not know that Microsoft Windows XP has a built in feature that just may come and save the day. That feature is called "System Restore."

System Restore acts very much like a photographer, constantly poking around behind the scenes of your computer and taking "snapshots" of the current state of the operating system and critical Windows files. If Windows XP starts to experience problems, the System Restore features is able to look up one of these snapshots and return your computer to a previous working state. It's almost like a time machine that lets you undo any problems which may have occurred. None of your personal documents or files are affected -- just the critical Windows files themselves.

If you want to bring your computer back (restore it), follow some relatively simple steps. First, you need to close down any open programs you are working on. Choose the Windows "Start" button (located near the bottom of your computer screen). Choose "Accessories," then "System Tools." Next, choose "System Restore." Now, your System Restore wizard will pop up. You will be given two options: "Restore my system" or "Create a system."

If you want your computer to begin working correctly again, you need to restore your system. Select option "a" and click "Next". From this screen, select a calendar date you would like to restore from. For example, if your computer worked correctly two days ago, select that date from the calendar and then click "Next." The following screen is the confirmation window. Confirm the information on the screen and click "Next". Windows XP will reboot and restore your system to the previous settings on the calendar date you selected.

The operation of returning to a previous state will take a minimum of a few minutes to a maximum of half an hour. The time needed depends upon the speed of your machine, and how much the configuration files have been altered from the native state. Once the process is completed, the machine will tell you whether it worked or failed. If all went well, your machine should reflect the previous save state, allowing you to log in and start restoring files. Ideally, the machine should now perform as mediocre as Windows will allow.

I mentioned before the "system restore point" option. This is a feature of windows XP that allows you to create virtual "snapshots" or save points of you system. Once created, you can restore the state of your computer to any of these points. This means that any changes you have made to your system (installing programs, changing drivers etc.) will be undone, and your computer will reverted to the point when you created the restore point. This allows users to change settings on their computer, without the risk of crashing and having to reinstall all of their software. With a little practice this can be an extremely useful tool to anyone concerned about the safety of their computer.

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