This article is dedicated to those of you using a Windows operating system like VistaÒ. Did you know that have access to a feature called PC backup and restore? Using this application you can effectively restore your computer and its settings. So, let’s talk a little bit about what it means to restore your computer. The restore feature lets you create backup images of your computer so that you can do a system-wide restore in the case of complete system failure. A system failure would mean total loss of all information and data on your computer. Goodbye files, goodbye programs, goodbye work. By using the backup/restore application you not only restore user data and programs, but also the entire operating system onto new or existing hardware.

 How to Get Started

To restore a complete PC backup onto your computer, you must go into the Windows Recovery Environment. To access the Windows Recovery Environment you need to insert the Vista DVD that you got with your computer into the DVD drive. Upon inserting the disc you should see the BIOS listing the hardware on your computer and other information. When that information has been cleared, your computer will see that a bootable DVD is inserted and present a prompt screen. This is the first step you take when trying to restore your computer.

 Continuing On…

Press a key, any key will do, choose your favorite on your keyboard when you see this prompt. You will then see the Windows startup menu. From this menu, use your arrow keys to select the option for the Windows Recovery Environment and press the enter key on your keyboard. A black screen with a white status bar at the bottom stating Windows is loading files… will appear. Wait while the status bar turns white and you will see a screen stating that Windows is loading. This will let your know that you have started the application to restore your computer.

At the next screen, you will need to configure the Language to install, time and currency format, and Keyboard or input method options so that they are set correctly. When done, press the Next button. You will now be at the main Windows Vista setup screen where you would normally install Vista on to a computer. Confused? It isn’t difficult to restore your computer, just read on.

In this article we are going to learn how to repair the computer. So, click on the “repair your computer” option. This will bring you to a new screen where you will start to restore your computer.

Next, choose the Vista installation you would like to repair. If there are drivers you need to load in order for Vista to access any of your drives or other components, click on the “Load Drivers” button to load them.

If the repair process does not detect any problems starting Vista, it will display a list of available recovery tools. If it does detect a problem it will attempt to perform a Startup Repair to automatically fix these problems.

So, good luck, get to it. Keeping your computer files safe is important and as you have seen it isn’t hard to restore your computer.