System Restore is a handy system tool first used in Windows ME and improved for XP and Vista. It can return your computer to an earlier state if you have a system failure or other major problem.

What does it do?

- System Restore records some important system files of your computer, such as the Registry, and saves them as restore points. They make places to return to, if there is a problem with your computer after you install a device driver, a program or a Windows update.

- System Restore automatically creates restore points before major changes are to occur, however, the automatic feature does not always work as expected.

- You can also manually create restore points and you should do this on a regular basis.

Take a look at the Restore Points on your computer.

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- Click on Start/ All Programs/ Accessories/ System Tools/ System Restore.

- Click on "Restore my computer to an earlier time". Click "Next".

See the bolded dates. These are dates that a System Restore Point was made.

You should see several of them per month.

Make a manual Restore Point now.

- Click on Start/ All Programs/ Accessories/ System Tools/ System Restore.

- Click "Create a Restore Point".

- Name it "Manual Restore Point"

- Then click "Create" then click "Close".

The date and time will automatically be added.

Do the above procedure about once a month.

Even if you are uncomfortable with restoring your system to

An earlier restore point, someone else can, if the restore points are there.

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Before you install an unknown program you should create a System Restore point.

Click on Start/ All Programs/ Accessories/ System Tools/ System Restore.

Click "Create a Restore Point".

Name it "Before install Unknown Program"

Then click "Create" then click "Close".

Install the program.

After the program was installed and if you have a problem...

- Do not use System Restore first.

- Reboot system, problem may clear.

- Uninstall the program. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs. Click the program you want to remove, and then click Change/Remove.

If that fails try a new Restore Point.

- Click on Start/ All Programs/ Accessories/ System Tools/ System Restore.

- Click on "Restore my computer to an earlier time". Click "Next".

- Choose the one you created "Before install Unknown Program".

- Follow instructions and click "Next"

You should get a screen with "Restoration Complete"

- If this restoration does not correct the problem, you can choose another earlier restore point. Go back far enough to get a Restore Point that was taken before you had the problem or you can undo this restoration.

- Go to System Restore as before and choose "Undo my last restoration". Click "Next" etc.

- If you still have the problem, do not leave your computer with the old restore point. You may be missing important changes. Return to the last Restore Point and get some help.

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Big Problem, no Windows after starting your computer?

If your computer won't start in normal mode you can try this:

- Reboot your computer, keep pressing F8 (Safe Mode) during the boot process, use the arrow keys to highlight "Last Known Good Configuration", and then press Enter.

- If this Restore Point does not fix your problem you can repeat the above F8 procedure and choose "Safe Mode"

- If you come up with Windows you will have reduced functions but you can still go to System Restore, as explained earlier, and chose an earlier Restore Point

- Reboot pressing F8 key and try choosing "Normal".

- If this also fails you need help.

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If you have a Virus

Your antivirus program will not be able to remove it from your hard drive in the System Restore area. There is a chance that you may restore your computer to an earlier Restore Point and then you have another virus.

After getting any virus you should turn off System Restore, collapsing it, and then run the anti virus program again. If there are no more viruses, turn System Restore back on.

Turning off System Restore

- Click Start, click Control Panel

- Click System, click System Restore

- Click in box near "Turn off System Restore on all drives."

Now the System Restore area is gone.

- Run your virus scan again and when clean, turn on System Restore as above but remove the check you put in the box.

To Summarize:

The minimum you should do is to

- Look and ensure your System Restore is turned on as described above.

- Make a manual Restore Point as described and check to see your System Restore Points are there. Do this once a month.