Recovering system information

Tools provided by the operating system and Recovery Manager software are designed to help you with the following tasks for safeguarding your information and restoring it in case of a system failure:
Backing up your information regularly to protect your important system files.
Making a set of recovery discs (Recovery Manager software feature). Recovery discs are used to start up (boot) your computer and restore the operating system and software programs to factory settings in case of system failure or instability.
Creating system restore points (operating system feature). System restore points allow you to reverse undesirable changes to your computer by restoring the computer to an earlier state.
Recovering a program or driver (Recovery Manager software feature). This feature helps you reinstall a program or driver without performing a full system recovery.
Creating recovery discs
After setting up the computer for the first time, be sure to create a set of recovery discs of the full factory image. The recovery discs are used to start up (boot) the computer and recover the operating system and software to factory settings in case of system instability or failure.
NOTE: Handle these discs carefully and keep them in a safe place. The software allows the creation of only one set of recovery discs.
Note the following guidelines before creating recovery discs:
You will need high quality CD-R, DVD-R, DVD-R with double-layer support, DVD+R, or DVD+R with double-layer support discs (purchased separately).
Note: Read-write discs, such as CD-RW, DVD ± RW, and DVD±RW double-layer discs, are not compatible with the Recovery Manager software.
The computer must be connected to AC power during this process.
Only one set of recovery discs can be created per computer.
Number each disc before inserting it into the computer optical drive.
If necessary, you can exit the program before you have finished creating the recovery discs. The next time you open Recovery Manager, you will be prompted to continue the disc creation process.
To create a set of recovery discs:
Select Start > All Programs > Recovery Manager > Recovery Manager.
Recovery Manager opens.
Click Advanced Options.
Note: If you are operating the computer on battery power, you will be prompted to connect to AC power before you can go to the next step.
Click Recovery disc creation, and then click Next.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
When to back up
On a regularly scheduled basis
Note: Set reminders to back up your information periodically.
Before the computer is repaired or restored
Before you add or modify hardware or software
Using system restore points
When you back up your system, you are creating a system restore point. A system restore point allows you to save and name a snapshot of your hard drive at a specific point in time. You can then recover back to that point if you want to reverse subsequent changes made to your system.
Note: Recovering to an earlier restore point does not affect data files saved or e-mails created since the last restore point.
You also can create additional restore points to provide increased protection for your system files and setting.