Computer 101: The Importance of System Restore in Windows.

First for those who are not familiar with System Restore here is a description of what it does in Windows based system. The function of System Restore is to restore your computer's system files to an earlier point in time. What does this means; it means every time that we used the computer an automatic system configuration image is created on that particular day. Also if we install new software in the computer most of the time the computer activates the system restore function before the new software is installed. Sometimes, the installation of a program or a driver can cause an unexpected change to your computer or cause Windows to behave unpredictably. Usually, uninstalling the program or driver corrects the problem. If uninstalling doesn't fix the problem, you can try restoring your computer's system to an earlier date when everything worked correctly. Furthermore it's a way to undo system changes to your computer without affecting your personal files, such as e‑mail, documents, or photos.

System Restore works by using the restore points to return your system files and settings to an earlier point in time without affecting personal files. Restore points are created automatically every week, and just before significant system events, such as the installation of a program or device driver. You can also create a restore point manually. System Restore automatically recommends the most recent restore point created before a significant change, such as installing a program. You can also choose from a list of restore points. Try using restore points created just before the date and time you started noticing problems. The descriptions of the restore points that are created automatically correspond with the name of an event, such as Windows Update installing an update. System Restore returns your computer to the state that it was in before the restore point that you chose. 

There are three methods you can use to access the system restore functionality. 

You can access the System Restore Wizard through the Start menu. To access the System Restore Wizard, click Start, point to All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click System Restore. 

 You can access System Restore through Control Panel. To open the System Restore Wizard, click Start, Control Panel and double-click System. Click the System Restore tab and click More information about System Restore. Help and Support, click Performance and Maintenance, click Using System Restore to undo changes, then click Run the System Restore Wizard. 

You can access System Restore through Help and Support. To access the System Restore Wizard, click Start, and then click Help and Support. Click Performance and Maintenance; click Using System Restore to undo changes, then click Run the System Restore Wizard.

The more system restore points we have in our computer the better, because the more option the computer has in correcting windows error by using system restore the better. The system restore is a very important tool in fixing problems encountered by windows based system after installing a new program or a new driver for a particular hardware. By restoring the computer system configuration to an earlier state without affecting your personal files and documents to fix the windows abnormal behavior we have a tool that is very easy to use and very effective in solving software related error. System Restore uses a feature called system protection to regularly create and save restore points on your computer. These restore points contain information about registry settings and other system information that Windows uses. You can also create restore points manually.

Where do you find the System Restore tool? There are several ways on how to locate the system restore tool. The first is to go to the Start Menu and right click on the My computer and from the full down menu click on the Properties Tab, after clicking on the properties the system information will appear. On the Upper-Left hand side of the System information under the control panel home, click on the system protection. After clicking on the system protection the system properties dialog box will appear. There are five tabs on the system properties please locate the system protection tab. To start or create a system restore point manually just click the create button and then read and follow all the instruction to create system restore point manually.

System image backups stored on hard disks can also be used for System Restore, just like the restore points created by system protection. Even though system image backups contain your system files and personal data, your data files will not be affected by System Restore. System Restore isn't intended for backing up personal files, so it cannot help you recover a personal file that has been deleted or damaged. You should regularly back up your personal files and important data using a backup program. Another way of starting the system restore point manually is by opening the control panel and clicking the system icon to open the control panel and clicking the system protection. So if ever you find that your computer behaves abnormally after installing a program or update existing driver and removal of the newly installed program does not solve the problem then that is the time to use the tool called system restore.

I would like to hear you thought about system restore?

10 Ways a Computer Virus is Like the Flu

This Article is a guest post from Ms. Coleen of  Phonetvinternet.com and here is the link from the original article located at 10 Ways a Computer Virus is Like the Flu

I was noticing, a while back, that my computer and I have some things in common. In particular, we are seriously similar in how we act when we get sick. Here are 10 ways that a computer virus is like the flu, or, if you like, 10 ways my computer with a virus is like me with the flu.

         Almost Functional. When I’m sick, I always feel as though I should still be able to function. I get up   to do something. I try hard to remember what I was going to do after I get up, I say to heck with it, and lie down again. My computer does the same thing. It boots up. It tries hard to remember what it was going to do, and then it displays an error message and gives up.

        Whiney Messages. My computer acquired a virus and began sending out urgent messages to everyone in my address book. That’s just like me, too. I get the flu, and immediately start calling and text messaging everyone in my mobile phone contacts to whine about how rotten I feel.

        Feverish. When my computer has a virus, it tends to run a bit hotter than is normal, very much like me when I get feverish from the flu. Neither of us functions well at all, with a fever.

        Delirium. When I become feverish, I begin to have strange walking-around dreams while half-asleep, talking to people that aren’t there and ignoring people that are. My computer appears to have some of the same issues, as it ignores me and responds to the voices in its mother board.

        Wheezy Respiration. Because it runs hot when it has a virus, the computer hard drive and fan sound as if they are laboring to breathe. A rasping and cyclical series of wheezes and sighs issues forth with every click of the mouse. I’ve been told that I make similar noises when ill with the flu.

        Stubborn. My computer becomes very stubborn when it has a virus. It tries to work when it shouldn’t, if refuses to do what it should do, and is generally very uncooperative. Now, you may be as skeptical about this as I am, but my wife insists that this is another characteristic that the computer and I share, when ill with a virus. I include this on the list only in order to allow her to feel as if she’s helped with this article.

        Crashes. Yes, both of us do this, after an exhausting bout of trying to accomplish something while ill. I tend to crash and spill while preparing chicken soup. The computer tends to crash and delete while preparing important documents.

        Annoying Doctors. Both the computer and I, when sick enough, go to doctors that that have tendencies toward nagging. My doctor goes on about healthy living and flu shots. The computer’s doctor goes on about healthy web-surfing and anti-virus programs.

        Overnight Hospital Stays. There have been times when the flu has caused an overnight hospital stay, hooked up to monitors and saline drips. It’s the same for my computer. The last time it had a virus I had to leave it in a cold and uninviting room overnight, hooked up to a machine. The only thing missing at the computer hospital was a nurse to wake it up and poke at it every few hours.

        Infectious. Yep, the last time I was sick with the flu, I began showing symptoms after I was already at work, and managed to pass it along to several coworkers. The same thing happened with my computer, and I know of several friends’ computers that had to spend overnight time at a computer hospital, afterward. One even had to go in for an emergency hard drive transplant.

So, there you have it; 10 ways that a virus makes my computer act the same as I do when I have the flu, though I’m still not certain that number 6 really belongs on the list. 

This Article is a guest post from Ms. Coleen of  Phonetvinternet.com and here is the link from the original article located at 10 Ways a Computer Virus is Like the Flu

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