for Dec. 17, 2003

Hi, All;

This week: A little piece of mind.

While I was looking for an easy way to back up my PC's I ran across a utility that should help after installing new hardware or software. It is called "System Restore" and comes with Windows 98/ME and XP. This utility creates a backup of your system files and Windows Registry, either on an automatic basis or a manual basis if you want to create a backup just before you make changes to your PC. Since it just backs up the system files, all your data is still safe on your hard drive. When you install new software or hardware in your PC, the system files and registry are updated with the new information. If for some reason this causes your PC to malfunction, with System Restore you can remove this latest update without having to worry about your data and with just a single mouse click.

If your system has malfunctioned after an upgrade, you will have to start your PC in "Windows Safe Mode." To enter "Safe Mode," just press the F8 Key; as the PC reboots, a menu displays with the "Safe Mode" option. Safe Mode loads the minimum drivers and tasks that are needed to start up Windows. After Safe Mode has been loaded, access the System Restore Wizard by clicking the Start button, then click Help and Support. Click Performance and Maintenance, click Using System Restore to undo changes, and then click "undo changes to your computer with System Restore." Both of these hints, "safe mode" and "System Restore," are of great help if your PC misbehaves after an install.

Next Week: Merry Christmas

Til next week, (ComputerFAQ#169)


Robert

 

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