When can You use Windows System Restore?
How many times have you made changes, or installed a new application on your computer, then observed thereafter that the computer is performing poorly. Sometimes, changes resulting in computer poor performance may have been caused inadvertently by you, or could even have been due to an infection by a computer virus or malware.
Computers can also start performing poorly for inexplicable reasons even when we have not made any changes. Before using Windows System Restore to fix a computer problem, we should first try easy and simple fixes. System Restore can make far reaching changes when used to fix Windows problem.
Fixes to Try before using System Restore
1) The first thing to try when you experience a computer problem is to reboot the computer – simply turning a computer off and on can resolve so many computer problems.
2) If the problem is that your computer is not starting in normal mode, using the Last Known Good Configuration may fix the problem.
2.1 Reboot your computer
2.2 Press F8 during the boot process
2.3 Use the Arrow keys to select Last Known Good Configuration
2.4 Press the Enter key
3) Next try removing new applications that were installed prior to observing problem with the computer.
3.1 Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.
3. 2 Click the program you want to remove, and then click Change/Remove.
4) Rollback drivers that may have been installed prior to the computer problem.
4.1 Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
4.2 On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.
4. 3 In the Device Manager dialog box, double-click the hardware that uses the driver you want to rollback.
4.4 In the device Properties dialog box, click the Driver tab, and then click Roll Back Driver.
5) Windows XP Troubleshooters found in the Help and Support Centre is a useful resource you can also use to fix a computer problem before using Windows System Restore.
5.1 Click Start, and then click Help and Support.
5.2 Under Pick a Help topic, click Fixing a Problem.
5.3 Under Fixing a problem in the left pane, click on a topic, and then start a troubleshooter by clicking the name in the right pane.
If all the above fixes fail to resolve the computer problem, it is time to go for System Restore.
6) How fix a computer Problem with Windows System Restore
Before you can use Windows System Restore to fix a computer problem, the utility must have been enabled on your computer so Restore Points are created. You must also be logged on to the computer as an administrator.
6.1 Click Start, Click All Programs, Click Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore.
6.2 On the Welcome screen, click Restore my computer to an earlier time, and then click Next.
6.3 On Select a Restore Point window, select the date from the calendar that shows the point you would like to restore your computer to, and then click Next. Available Restore Points (dates) on the calendar are in bold.
6.4 On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, ensure you have selected the correct restore point, and then close any open programs.
6.5 Click Next to proceed with the System Restore process, or click Back to change the restore point.
6.6 The computer will automatically shut down and reboot. On reboot, the Restoration Complete page will be displayed, click OK.
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