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Quick Reference Guide 73
Restoring Your Operating System
You can restore your operating system in the following ways:
• System Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without
affecting data files. Use System Restore as the first solution for restoring
your operating system and preserving data files.
• Dell PC Restore by Symantec (available in Windows XP) and Dell Factory
Image Restore (available in Windows Vista) returns your hard drive to the
operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. Both
permanently delete all data on the hard drive and remove any programs
installed after you received the computer. Use Dell PC Restore or Dell
Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your
operating system problem.
• If you received an
Operating System
disc with your computer, you can use
it to restore your operating system. However, using the
Operating System
disc also deletes all data on the hard drive. Use the disc
only
if System
Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.
Using Microsoft
Windows
System Restore
The Windows operating systems provide a System Restore option which
allows you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without
affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system
settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. Any
changes that System Restore makes to your computer are completely
reversible.
NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not
monitor your data files or recover them.
NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default
view, so they may not apply if you set your Dell™ computer to the Windows Classic
view.