| If you add new programs or hardware, you might find that your system does not work properly. Trying to troubleshoot a problem such as this can be difficult. To help, Windows XP includes System Restore. If needed, you can go back to any point in time before any of these restore points were set. For instance, suppose that you added a digital camera, and now your computer is not working properly. You can go "back in time" to before you installed the digital camera to get your computer back in working order. Using System Restore enables you to preserve recent work, such as saved documents, email messages, history lists, or favorites lists. You can then step through the installation again to see if you can pinpoint and fix the problem. Understanding Restore Points System Restore monitors changes to your system and creates restore points each day by default. There are several types of restore points: The initial system checkpoint is created the first time you start your computer after Windows XP is installed. Don't select this restore point unless you want to wipe your computer clean of everything you've done on it since installing XP. System checkpoints are created by Windows every 24 hours and every 10 hours your computer is turned on. Program name installation restore points are created automatically when you install a program using one of the latest installers. Select this restore point to remove installed programs and other settings. Manually-created restore points are those restore points you create yourself (and are covered later in this section). Restore operation restore points track restoration operations themselves, enabling you to undo them. Unsigned driver restore points are created any time System Restore determines that you are installing an unsigned or uncertified driver. (A driver is a system file that tells Windows XP the details of a hardware device, such as a camera. You learn more about device drivers in Chapter 19, "Upgrading Your Computer.")
Setting a System Restore Point In addition to the restore points set by the system automatically, you can manually set a restore point. Then you are guaranteed a go-back-in-time point to when you know things were working. To set a system restore point, follow these steps: 1. | Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. You'll see the Welcome to System Restore window. You have the option of restoring your computer or creating a restore point (see Figure 17.4).
Figure 17.4. Start System Restore to set a restore point or go back to a restore point. 
| 2. | Select Create a restore point and click Next. You are then prompted to type a name or description for the restore point (see Figure 17.5).
Figure 17.5. To keep track of the different restore points, type a descriptive name. 
| 3. | Type a description for the restore point and click Create. The point is created with the date and time you set the restore point (see Figure 17.6).
Figure 17.6. When you click Create, you see your new system restore point added. 
| 4. | Click Close to close the System Restore window.
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Restoring Your System When something does go wrong and you wish you could get in a time machine and go back to happy times when you could check your email and use your printer, you can go back in time to a restore pointone set either automatically or manually. Follow these steps to do so: 1. | Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore.
| 2. | Select Restore My Computer To An Earlier Time and click Next. You'll see a calendar. Any dates that are bold have restore points (see Figure 17.7).
Figure 17.7. You can go back days or months using System Restore. 
| 3. | Click the date in the mini-calendar. You can use the scroll arrows to scroll backward or forward to other months. When you click a date, the available system restore points for that date are listed (see Figure 17.8).
Figure 17.8. Select the restore point by first selecting the date and then selecting the restore point on that particular date. 
| 4. | Select the restore point in the list and then click Next. You'll see a description of what happens. Note that saved documents and email are not affected, and you can reverse the actions of a system restore. As described in the dialog box, Windows is shut down, restored, and then restarted using the settings from the date and time of the system restore point.
| 5. | Click Next. As described, the system is shut down and restored. You are then returned to the System Restore window with a message saying the restoration is complete.
tip  | If you want to undo the restore, you can do so. Follow the same steps to open the System Restore window (Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore). You now have the option of undoing the restore. Select this option and then follow the onscreen prompts, clicking Next to go from step to step. |
| 6. | Click OK to close the System Restore window.
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