Advanced Troubleshooting 55
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
If problems occur after you install a device driver, use Device Driver Rollback (see "Using Windows XP 
Device Driver Rollback" on page 53) to resolve the problem. If that is unsuccessful, then use System 
Restore.
  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 the 
Start
 button, point to 
All Programs
→
 
Accessories
→
 
System Tools
, and then click 
System 
Restore
.
2
Ensure that 
Restore my computer to an earlier time
 is selected, then click 
Next
.
3
Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.
The 
Select a Restore Point 
screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore points. 
All calendar dates with available restore points appear in boldface type.
4
Select a restore point, then click 
Next
. 
If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically selected. If two or 
more restore points are available, click the restore point that you prefer.
5
Click 
Next
.
The 
Restoration Complete
 screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data and then the 
computer restarts.
6
After the computer restarts, click 
OK
.
To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can undo 
the restoration.
Undoing the Last System Restore
  NOTICE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all 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 the 
Start
 button, point to 
All Programs
→
 Accessories
→
 System Tools
, and then click 
System 
Restore
.
2
Click 
Undo my last restoration
, then click 
Next
.
Enabling System Restore
If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space available, System Restore is 
automatically disabled. To see if System Restore is enabled:
1
Click the 
Start
 button, then click 
Control
 
Panel
.
2
Click 
Performance and Maintenance
.
3
Click 
System
.