Sytem Restore is a feature Microsoft added to their operating systems to help users recover from any unwanted changes made after an upgrade or after adding new software or hardware to the computer. It is turned on by default and makes what are called "Restore Points". If you make a change to your computer, System Restore will make a restore point or take a snap shot of your system settings before the change is made. This way you can always return your computer settings to this point if the computer isn't running right after a change is made.
Let's say we made an update and it messed up our system. To use system restore, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Sytem Tools > Sytem Restore. The option to "Restore my computer to an earlier time" should be selected, if not select it.
Click on the next button and you will see a calendar. The dates that are in a bold font are the dates that System Restore made Restore Points. Since we just made an update we will want to use the latest restore Point, System Restore will normally open with this point selected. If not, select it and and click on the next button.
This will bring up the "Confirm Restore Point Selection". Click on the next button and Sytem Resore will shut down your computer and set it back to where it was before the update or install. Once the computer restarts you will see a screen confiming that the computer was set to the Restore Point you selected. Click on OK and you will be back in business.
The updates you want to be careful of are the ones for your Sound Card and your Video Card (hardware). If your Sound Card and your Video card are working, I advise that you do not take the Optional Hadware updates. These are the only updates that have ever caused me problems.
If you do a System Restore after using Windows Update, you will have to go back to the "Windows Update" web site and install the updates you need.
I Hope This Helps!
Jim
