Filter
Top Products
264
If Something Goes Wrong
Develop good computing habits
5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3
General tips for installing hardware and software
Here are a few tips to help ensure safe and easy installation of
new hardware (printers, pointing devices, external hard drives,
DVD writers, scanners, etc.) and software (applications like
Microsoft Office and Adobe
®
Photoshop
®
, or utility software
such as special toolbars for your web browser).
❖ Create a Restore Point (refer to “Saving system
configuration with Restore Points” on page 259). Before
installing anything, use the System Restore utility to set a
Restore Point (see the section titled Restore Points). If
anything goes wrong, you will then be able to easily
restore Windows to the state it was in prior to the
installation, undoing any changes that the installation
process introduced.
❖ Back up your critical data (see “Backing up your data to
CDs with Windows XP” on page 261).
❖ Have your factory Restore/Reconfiguration CD(s) on
hand in case you need any files from them.
❖ Do not guess—follow directions carefully! It is often
necessary to run an installation utility first—before
connecting a new hardware item to the computer. If the
device is connected first, it may be very difficult to
complete the installation successfully. Always carefully
follow the installation instructions that accompany the
hardware or software.
❖ Restart Windows. Always restart Windows after each
installation, even if the installation utility does not
prompt you to do so. This will ensure that the installation
is completed, and will clean up anything that the
installation utility left behind.