Computer system recovery is a process that will allow you to restore your PC’s performance, eliminate failures and save the necessary information. In this article we will look at how to do a system restore, what are the options for restoring the operating system, and what needs to be done so that in the event of an emergency, the losses are minimal.
Before starting to consider the recovery process, we will consider a few recommendations that must be followed before problems arise. On a computer, the operating system is usually located on drive C. If problems arise (virus, system crash, unidentified errors, etc.), all information on drive C may be lost.
Even if there is only one hard drive physically on your machine, you can virtually split it up. Do it yourself or ask a specialist for help. It is highly desirable to store all the important and necessary information on drive D. It is recommended that drive C be made on 50-70 GB, the rest is drive D. Drive C will contain the OS, your programs, and the settings for these programs. On disk D - all other information. This approach will allow you to painlessly restore the system while saving all the data.
Now about how to do system recovery. There are several recovery options - regular means of Windows or using special software. System Restore can restore the system in a few minutes from a previously created image. Let's take a closer look at what to do and how.
How to make XP system recovery using regular tools:
Option 1. If Windows is unstable, check the system files. When checking, damaged or modified files will be replaced. To check their integrity and performance, you must perform the following steps:
- Go to the START menu;
- We find the inscription “Run” and click it;
- In the window we enter: sfc / scannow and click OK;
- We follow the instructions of the system (you may need a WinXp installation disk).
Option 2. Start the system in safe mode. This download option is relevant if the system has been infected with viruses or trojans, and unauthorized installation of spyware or adware has occurred. Safe mode launches a minimum of driver and system components. After downloading, you can find and delete infected files, restoring the normal operation of the system. How to do it:
- To restart a computer;
- During the reboot, you will hear a short beep - immediately press F8;
- After that, a window of boot options will appear, where you will need to select "Safe Mode";
- Press ENTER;
- In the window that appears, click the YES button to continue loading safe mode.
After entering the system, check the system with an antivirus that will find and remove the infection.
Option 3. You can try to boot the system by choosing a rollback to the last successful configuration. How to do it: Download (reboot) / F8 / in the boot menu select “Last successful configuration” / ENTER
Option 4. Using the installation disk, select the "System Restore" mode. * Recommended for advanced users.
This option allows you to write data from the installation disc over the existing system. If everything goes well, all files, programs and settings will remain. You will need the same disk from which you installed the system. You may need an activation key / serial number for your copy of Windows. If there is none, it is better not to use this recovery option. If he is:
- Insert the installation disk into the drive and start / restart the PC;
- Press any key to start the installation from disk;
- After the window appears, press ENTER (you do not need to press the "R" key);
- Pressing F8 confirms acceptance of the license agreement ;
- We need to select the option “Restore selected copy”. Just click now
After installing new files, the system will reboot. All. System recovery took place.
How to do system recovery in a few minutes.
The simplest and perhaps the most reliable way to restore the system is to use special software. What is its charm: install the system, the necessary programs, make all the necessary settings. After that, using special programs (Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image), an image of the logical drive with the system or a full copy of the entire hard drive is made. Information (image) is stored on the HDD. If necessary, a few keystrokes and a few minutes of time will return the system to its original purity, speed and attractiveness.
Before doing system recovery, make sure that the necessary data or backup programs from disk C are saved on disk D. The only “drawback” of these recovery programs is that they are paid. However, for most of our users this is not an obstacle - a little savvy and everything will fall into place.