Restoring Your Operating System 127
Restoring Your Operating System
You can restore the operating system on your computer using one of the
following options:
CAUTION: Using Dell Factory Image Restore or the Operating
System disc permanently deletes all data files on your computer. If
possible, backup your data files before using these options.
Option Use
System Restore as the first solution
Dell DataSafe Local Backup when System Restore does not
resolve your problem
System recovery media when operating system failure
prevents the use of System Restore
and DataSafe Local Backup
when installing the factory image on
a newly installed hard drive
Dell Factory Image Restore to restore your computer to the
operating state it was in when you
received your computer
Operating System disc to reinstall only the operating system
on your computer
System Restore
About System Restore
System Restore is a Microsoft Windows tool that helps you undo software
changes to your computer without affecting your personal files, like
documents, photos, e-mails, and so on.
Every time you install a software or device driver, your computer updates
Windows system files to support the new software or device. Sometimes,
this may cause some unexpected errors. System Restore helps you
restore the Windows system files to the state prior to the installation of
the software or device driver.
System restore creates and saves restore points at regular intervals. You
use these restore points (or create your own restore points) to restore
your computer’s system files to an earlier known good state.