No matter how reliable we make them, computers will eventually fail.  This is a simple fact of life.  With the improvements in hardware and software, we now see more failures due to software issues than by most any other cause.  In addition, the constant changes in software requires constant vigilance in keeping everything up to date.  All it takes is one program that is incompatible with another, and your computer becomes a paperweight.  Add to this the constant problem with Virus and Spyware incidents, and you have a NEED for a backup plan.

At the very least, you should backup your data on a regular basis. If you have a lot of new data, once a week or at least once a month is a necessity.

But what happens to your computer if you don’t have a backup and disaster strikes?  You should be able to restore your computer back to a stable state.  Many years ago there was a program called goback - it provided that functionality.  PC users and techs alike praised its virtues.  Finally, as is common with Microsoft, they copied the idea and implemented it into Windows.  System Restore allows you to  create a setpoint that you can go back to, in theory, to make your Windows box usable again.

An important note here: It only can work if you set a Restore Point at some point in time.  If you don’t do that, the program does not do you a lot of good.

For more info on this, view the video below. I will post another blog and video on how to restore the system once you have created a setpoint.

The step-by-step process goes like this:

1. 1. Click on Start
   

2. 2. Go to All Programs
   

3. 3. Then Accessories
   

4. 4. Followed by System Tools
   

5. 5. Select System Recovery
   

6. 6.The System Recovery Wizard will Start
   

7. 7. Click on Create a Restore Point
   

8. 8. Click on Next
   

9. 9. Enter a Descriptive Name for the Restore Point
   

10. 10. Click on Create
    

11. 11. Close out the Wizard
    

...and you are done.  You now have a restore point, so you can install that new software without worrying about your system having issues after the install. Because you can go back to the working version if things go wrong.

Regular archiving (backing up) of data, plus a setpoint before installation, equals a reasonably secure computer.