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Computer Advice Columns

How to Restore Windows if your computer is having issues.

If windows will not start:

Start the System Restore tool at a command prompt

1. Start your computer and start hitting F8. You will get a Windows Advanced Options Menu, with lots of different choices of how to start your computer. You want to use your arrow keys and move to “Safe Mode with Command Prompt”. Hit your enter key and hit it again to enter “Microsoft Windows XP Professional”.

2. Log onto the computer with a administrator account and hit enter key.

3. Type in the following at the command prompt: %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe and hit the enter key.

4. At the “Welcome to System Restore” page and click “Next”.

5. On the “Select a Restore Point” page, select the date and restore point you want and click “Next”. A system restore message with list of configuration changes will open and you can click “OK”.

6. Click on “Next” to start the Restore process and when done it will reboot PC. Log back in as administrator and you will see a “Restoration Complete” page. Click “OK”.
    

If windows starts normally:

Restore Point Manually

1. Click on “Start” > “All Programs” > “Accessories” > “System Tools” > “System Restore”.
2. On the “Welcome to System Restore” Page, click “Restore my computer to an earlier time” and click “Next”.
3. On the “Select a Restore Point” page, select the date and restore point you want and click “Next”. A system restore message with list of configuration changes will open and you can click “OK”.
4. Click on “Next” to start the Restore process and when done it will reboot PC. Log back in as administrator and you will see a
   "Restoration Complete” page. Click “OK”.