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Everyone has experienced this. We switch on the computer in order to write that important report or presentation, but unfortunately the computer is not in the mood to function properly today. However, regardless of the problem, whether it is the word processor, spreadsheet or other type of software that won't work, Microsoft Windows XP has a utility specially designed to help fix this issue. This utility is called "System Restore".

System Restore acts very much like a photographer, constantly poking around behind the scenes of your computer and taking "snapshots" of the current state of the operating system and critical Windows files. If Windows XP starts to experience problems, the System Restore features is able to look up one of these snapshots and return your computer to a previous working state. It's almost like a time machine that lets you undo any problems which may have occurred. None of your personal documents or files are affected -- just the critical Windows files themselves.

To restore your computer, initiate the following steps: First, close any open programs. Next, click on the Windows "Start" button, normally located on the bottom left-hand corner of your computer desktop. Click on "All Programs" at the bottom of the screen. Go to "Accessories". Now click on "System Tools" and click on "System Restore". The System Restore Wizard will appear and launch. Your two options are to "Restore my system from an earlier date" or "Create a system restore point."

If you want your computer to begin working correctly again, you need to restore your system. Select option "a" and click "Next". From this screen, select a calendar date you would like to restore from. For example, if your computer worked correctly two days ago, select that date from the calendar and then click "Next." The following screen is the confirmation window. Confirm the information on the screen and click "Next". Windows XP will reboot and restore your system to the previous settings on the calendar date you selected.

The operation of returning to a previous state will take a minimum of a few minutes to a maximum of half an hour. The time needed depends upon the speed of your machine, and how much the configuration files have been altered from the native state. Once the process is completed, the machine will tell you whether it worked or failed. If all went well, your machine should reflect the previous save state, allowing you to log in and start restoring files. Ideally, the machine should now perform as mediocre as Windows will allow.

The System Restore function is a great way to ensure the safety of your computer when making changes to it. When you are installing a new program or driver, it is wise to create a system restore point. This restore point will take a snapshot of your system so that if there is any problem with the installation (such as spyware or a virus), you can bring your system back to the exact state it was prior to the installation. If you change a setting or install a new program and then have computer problems, you can simply restore the settings from the selected point. Over time, you will get into the habit of using the System Restore function.