How to Recover from Computer Failure

Use of this small built in utility will allow you to recover from system crashes and program failures

By Saifuddin Indorewala

Have you installed a program or software which you downloaded last night and your computer is giving you error messages and system crashes from then? Or maybe you installed an application which did not work as you want it to.

Wouldn’t it be nice to roll back the system time and undo that installation?

You are right. Windows XP users now have the option of undoing or going back to earlier good installation if you want it to or if you experience some Windows XP problems.

So do not worry if you have installed a wrong driver for your hardware or even if you accidentally delete some critical windows system file.  

One nice little utility which came with Windows XP is System Restore Point. Just run the utility and mention which date you want to revert back to and as if by magic, you are back to a completely operational Windows XP environment as before.

This utility keeps a mirror of snapshots of your Windows XP system files etc whenever there is a new installation or any major system changes occur. Windows XP’s Restore point creates a backup snapshot everyday as a precautionary measure, but even you can do a Restore point any time manually if you feel the need for it.

If you are faced with a computer error, you may try to run restore point to a previous date. After its rollback, whatever changes were done will be eliminated and restored to a previous working state. Generally Restore Points are used if your have pc errors such as slow speed and other sluggish behaviour. Sometimes Restore point is used when the systems stops working after you have installed some new software or application.

To start the Restore point software go to Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools and Click on System Restore.  A new window will appear and will ask you to click on Next. Enter a small description of your restore like “ Before application ABC installation” and click create.  A window appear and will notify you that the System Restore point was done. You can then close the window.

To revert back to this point is very easy. Just select “Restore My PC to earlier Time” and click next. Choose the date of the Restore and Click Next. Your computer will restart and it will show a message which will inform you of your restore point. Click Ok . That’s all.

You should make a restore point now for your own safety should any untoward system malfunction happen. One way I do is make it a “Scheduled Task” for once every week. This way it will start up and do the system restore once a week.

System Restore is a handy but very useful utility which will allow you to solve pc errors and enable you to carry on your computer  related tasks without nightmares.

Doing simple tasks like this one will help you master basic computer skills and give you more confidence to solve your pc problems and get the best out of  the Windows XP operating system.

If you need help and if you are located in Mumbai, you may contact us for telephonic or onsite support visit

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