Computer needs a kick in the

[Chicklady]

I can't download stuff, and even at opening, my computer is missing stuff (javadll??)

Anyway, I would like to do a system restore. The process for that includes backing up all my files, which I can't do cause that drive isn't working either

My question is, if I get one of those online backup services, can I also back up my program files (Living Cookbook, Fitday, Scrabble and other good stuff) or only document and picture files?

[Janvier]

How far back are you planning on going? At most I only go back a few weeks. I believe it's only recommended that you back up your files. I don't have an external so I never bother. The files you accumulated after the date that you're setting it back to will just appear on your desktop ready to be put back in place. Good luck, computer problems are a pain.

[Chicklady]

System restore goes back to the way your computer was when you got it

[jimmie 48]

Originally Posted by Chicklady

System restore goes back to the way your computer was when you got it

i'm not the techiest, chicklady, but system restore can go back one day, two weeks, whatever, like Janvier said. when i've had to do this, i've been asked if i wanted to back up files, not told that i had to . the last restore i did was about 2 months ago. we had something popping up on our start screen ALL the time so i restored to when i knew it wasn't there. it's gone and my files were fine.

[Chicklady]

My instruction thingie says windows XP has a mirror image of the computer on the day it was born, and using "restore" will wipe the slate clean, so to speak. There is also a system "recovery", which I've already tried to use, that presumably gonna fix some of my problems, but I can't get the CD drive to run to use it(now there's a catch 22)

[determined2shrink]

You can check your system restore to see how far back it resets it. The system recovery disc resets it back to when you got it.

[determined2shrink]

"You can use System Restore to undo harmfull changes to your computer and restore its settings and performance. System Restore returns your computer to an earlier time (called a restore point) without causing you to lose recent work, such as saved documents, e-mail, or history and favorites lists.

Any changes that the System Restore makes to your computer are completely reversible.

Your computer automatically creates restore points (called system checkpoints), but you can also use System Restore to create your own restore points. This is useful if you about to make a major change to your system, such as installing a new program or changing your registry."

That is what it says when you go to System Restore on Windows XP SP2

[Chicklady]

When you restart your computre, hit CTRL and F11....that's the system restore I'm taking about...no disc needed.

[sharbur2002]

Hey Chicklady,

What you are talking about doing is the Quick Restore or System Recovery from your Restore partition on your hard drive.

Yes! You definately want to back up everything that you possibly can as the Restore will wipe out all of your data on your computer. It will put you back to a brand new operating system as it came from the factory. You will lose all programs that you have installed. You will lose all email addresses, bookmarks, music and photos that you have installed since you have owned the computer.

You can back up anything you want to on the online backup sites not just files and documents. Hope this helps.

Sharon

[Chicklady]

thanks Sharon. how do i know if I'm backing up the entire program or just the data entered?