Restoring Your Operating System; Using Microsoft Windows System Restore - Dell XPS 720 Owner's Manual

6 When the name of the appropriate driver appears, click the name of the driver.
7 Click OK→ Next→ Finish and restart your computer.

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) restore 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.
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 and follow the remaining on-screen prompts.
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Troubleshooting