Windows XP for Home Users, Service Pack 2 Edition
| CAUTION Because System Restore only monitors system files and Registry settings, you cannot use it to restore changed or damaged data files. For complete protection, you'll still need to back up your important data files manually. Perhaps the best course of action when your system crashes is to use Microsoft's System Restore utility. This is a relatively new utility, first introduced in Windows Me, which can automatically restore your system to the state it was in before your problems cropped up. System Restore is probably the most useful utility for users who experience major system problems. (I'm almost ashamed to admit how many times I've used it to restore my system after botching some upgrade or another.) Prior to Windows Me, it wasn't uncommon to run into problems that required you to reinstall your entire operating system. With System Restore, reinstallations are a thing of the past because it can automatically restore your system to a prior working state. Think of System Restore as a safety net for your essential system files. It isn't a backup program per se, because it doesn't make copies of your personal files. It simply keeps track of all the system-level changes that are made to your computer, and (when activated) reverses those changes. Setting System Restore Points
How does System Restore work? It's quite simple, actually. System Restore actively monitors your system and notes any changes that are made when you install new applications. Each time it notes a change, it automatically creates what it calls a restore point. A restore point is a "snapshot" of the Windows Registry and selected system files just before the new application is installed. Just to be safe, System Restore also creates a new restore point after every 10 hours of system use. You also can choose to manually create a new restore point at any point in time. Which is a good idea whenever you make any major system change, such as installing a new peripheral or piece of hardware. To set a manual restore point, click the Start menu and then select All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. When the System Restore window opens (shown in Figure 25.1), select Create a Restore Point and click Next. You'll be prompted to enter a description for this new restore point. Do this and then click the Create button. Figure 25.1. Use System Restore to create a new restore point before you install a new piece of hardware or software.
That's all you have to do. Windows notes the appropriate system settings, and stores them in its System Restore database. Restoring Your System
If something in your system goes bad, you can run System Restore to set things right. Pick a restore point before the problem occurred (such as right before a new installation), and System Restore will then undo any changes made to monitored files since the restore point was created. It also replaces the current Registry with the one captured at the restore point. This will restore your system to its pre-installation that is, working condition. To restore your system from a restore point, all you have to do is follow these steps:
Windows now starts to restore your system. Be sure that all open programs are closed down, because Windows will need to be restarted during this process. When the process is complete, your system should be back in tip-top shape. Note, however, that it might take a half-hour or more to complete a system restore so you'll have time to order a pizza and eat dinner before the operation is done! |