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Software Troubleshooting
Your computer uses the operating system and installed software programs during normal operation. If
your computer works improperly or stops because of the software, you may be able to repair it.
Some software repairs are as simple as restarting your computer, and others require performing a system
recovery from files on your hard disk drive.
Software repair overview
The most efficient way to repair software problems is simply to restart the computer or turn the computer off
completely and then power it back up again. If this does not work, then explore the following methods for
fixing your computer if you are experiencing software problems:
Updating drivers (see the following section, "Updating drivers").
Microsoft System Restore (see "Microsoft System Restore" on page 52) — Restores your computer
configuration to a configuration that was in use before the current software problem existed.
Software program and hardware driver reinstallation (See "Software program and hardware driver
reinstallation" on page 52) — Allows reinstallation of the factory-installed software or hardware driver
by using the Recovery Manager program.
System recovery (see "System Recovery" on page 54) — Erases and reformats the hard disk drive,
deleting all data files you have created, and then reinstalls the operating system, programs, and
drivers.
Updating drivers
A driver is a software program that enables your computer to communicate with an attached device, such
as a printer, hard disk drive, mouse, or keyboard.
Complete the following procedure to update a driver, or to revert to an earlier version of the driver if the
new one does not solve your problem:
1
Click the Start button.
2
Type Device Manager into the Start Search box, and then click Device Manager to open the Device
Manager window.
3
Click the plus sign (+) to expand the type of device you want to update or rollback. (For example,
DVD/CD-ROM drives).
4
Double-click the specific item (for example, HP DVD Writer 640b).
5
Click the Driver tab.
6
To update a driver, click Update Driver, and then follow the onscreen instructions.
Or
To revert to an earlier version of a driver, click Rollback Driver, and then follow the onscreen
instructions.
Software Troubleshooting and
System Recovery
Software Troubleshooting and System Recovery
51
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Troubleshooting
