Dell Inspiron 2500 - Manual (Page 57)

Solving Problems 57
You can also use the Windows 2000 Hardware Troubleshooter. To use the
Hardware Troubleshooter, click the Start button and click Help. Click
Troubleshooting and Maintenance on the Contents tab, click Windows
2000 troubleshooters, and then click Hardware. In the Hardware
Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my
computer, and then click Next.
Using System Restore
Windows XP and Windows Me provide a System Restore feature that allows
you to return your computer to an earlier operating state if changes to the
computer’s hardware or software (including new hardware or program
installations), or other system settings, have left the computer in an
undesirable operating state. You can also undo the last “System Restore.”
System Restore automatically creates system checkpoints. You can also
manually create your own checkpoints by creating Restore Points . To limit
the amount of hard disk space used, older restore points are automatically
purged.
To resolve an op erating system problem, you can use System Restore from
Safe Mode or Normal Mode to return your computer to an earlier operating
state.
System Restore does not cause you to lose personal files stored in the My
Documents folder, data files, or e-mail messages after restoring the
computer to an earlier operating state. If you restore the computer to an
operating state that excused before you installed a program, the program’s
data files won’t be lost, but you will have to reinstall the actual program
again.
NOTICE: It is important to make regular backups of your data files. System
Restore does not monitor changes to or recover your data files. If the original
data on the hard disk is accidentally erased or overwritten, or if it becomes
inaccessible because of a hard disk malfunction, use your backup files to
recover the lost or damaged data.
System Restore is enabled on your new computer. However, if you reinstall
Windows XP or Windows Me with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space
available, System Restore is automatically disabled. Before you see if System
Restore, see the following subsections to confirm that it is enabled.