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106 Reinstalling Software
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1
Click the Windows Vista start button
→
Help and Support.
2
Ty p e
hardware troubleshooter
in the search field and press <Enter> to start the
search.
3
In the search results for "hardware troubleshooter," select the option that best describes the
problem and follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.
Restoring Your Operating System
You can restore your operating system in the following ways:
•Microsoft
®
Windows
®
XP System Restore and Windows Vista
®
System Restore return 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.
•If you received
Operating System
media with your computer, you can use it to restore your
operating system. However, using the
Operating System
media also deletes all data on the
hard drive. Use the media
only
if System Restore did not resolve your operating system
problem.
NOTE: The Operating System media may be optional and may not ship with your computer.
Using Microsoft
Windows System Restore
The Microsoft 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.
Starting System Restore
Windows XP:
NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close any open files
and exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system
restoration is complete.
1
Click
Start
→
All Programs
→
Accessories
→
System Tools
→
System Restore
.
2
Click either
Restore my computer to an earlier time
or
Create a restore point
.
3
Click
Next
. Follow the remaining prompts.
Windows Vista:
1
Click the Windows Vista Start button
→
Help and Support
.