Returning to an earlier system snapshot
Microsoft System Restore periodically takes a 'snapshot' of your system
settings and saves them as restore points. In most cases of hard-to-
resolve software problems, you can return to one of these restore points to
get your system running again.
Windows automatically creates an additional restore point each day, and
also each time you install software or device drivers.
Note: For more information about using Microsoft System Restore,
from Start, type 'Help' and then click Help and Support in the list of
apps. Type 'Windows system restore' in the Search Help box, then
press Enter.
Returning to a restore point
1. From Start, type 'Control Panel' and then click Control Panel in the list
of apps.
2. Click System and Security > Action Center, then click Recovery at
the bottom of the window.
3. Click Open System Restore, then Next.
4. Click the latest restore point (at a time when your system worked
correctly), click Next, then Finish.
5. A confirmation window appears; click Yes. Your system is restored
using the restore point you specified. This process may take several
minutes, and may restart your computer.
Returning your system to its factory condition
If your computer experiences problems that are not recoverable by other
methods, you may need to reinstall everything to return your system to its
factory condition. You can recover from either your hard drive or the
recovery backup you have created.
• If you can still run Windows and have not deleted the recovery partition,
see "Recovering from Windows" on page 19.
• If you cannot run Windows, your original hard drive has been completely
re-formatted or you have installed a replacement hard drive, see
"Recovering from a recovery backup" on page 22.
Recovering from Windows
Start Gateway Recovery Management:
• From Start, type 'Recovery' and then click Gateway Recovery
Management in the list of apps.
Recovery - 19