How to Use Windows XP “System Restore”
Did this ever happen to you?
You turn on your computer (boot up) getting ready to type that school report, or business presentation and guess what, your computer just does not want to work today. Whether it’s the word processor, spreadsheet, or financial package that isn’t working, most people do not know that Microsoft Windows XP has a built in feature that just may come and save the day. That feature is called “System Restore.”
Basically, System Restore is like a little hound that runs behind the scenes taking “snapshots” of various parts of the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. So, if a part of Microsoft Windows XP stops working one day, the System Restore utility is able to reference one of the “snapshots” it took and restore your system from a previous day (a day when your computer worked). It’s kind of like going back in time to a day when your computer worked. All your current data (Microsoft Word files, etc.) are still retained, so you don’t have to worry about losing any present day files.
In order to restore your computer just follow these simple steps:
1. Close any open programs.
2. Click on the Windows “Start” button (normally located on the bottom of your computer desktop)
3. Click on “All Programs”
4. Click on “Accessories”
5. Click on “System Tools”
6. Then click on “System Restore”
7. At this point the System Restore wizard will launch. You will have two options:
a. “Restore my system from an earlier date”
b. “Create a system restore point”
If you just need to restore your system and get it working correctly again, just select option “a” and click “Next.”
8. On this screen you can select a date from the calendar that you would like to try and restore from. So, if you knew that your computer worked fine two days ago, just pick that date on the calendar and click “Next.”
9. The next screen is the confirmation window. Just verify the information on the screen and click “Next.” Windows XP will then reboot and try to restore your system with the settings from the date you selected.
The System Restore process can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much reconfiguration Windows XP needs to do and how fast of a PC you have. When System Restore is done, a screen will popup with the results of the restore. If it was successful, you can then log into the system and start using the computer again. Any quirky issues that you were having are now hopefully gone.
Now, on step 7b above, I mentioned the “Create a system restore point” option. This option is for when you want to force Windows XP to take a snapshot of your system just before you install a program or alter any system settings that you are not sure of. It is like a safety net for when you install any internet programs (sometimes riddled with spyware) or system drivers (video, audio, etc). If you want to revert back to a virgin state just create a restore point “before” installing any software. This way, if your machine starts acting weird, you can just restore your settings from the selected point.
With a little practice, the System Restore utility is easy to use and a great way to help ensure the safety of your computer.
Recommended Resources:
Registry Easy - #1 All In One Registry Fix & System Optimizer Suite!
Noadware.net - Spyware/Adware Remover
Create a Dream Office You Will Love
All business owners create their niche in the world of free enterprise. They plant their steak in the American dream; however, the basics are the same for everyone. You must have advertising, you must take care of your bookkeeping, and you must acknowledge you employee’s needs. It all stems form one central point in your business, your office.
In order to keep those creative juices flowing, it is important to have an environment that is conducive to your business spirit. Your business spirit is how you see yourself in the business world. Sounds deep, doesn’t it? It simply means your office should be unique to your needs and it should reflect your personality as well as being practical. Once you put those three
characteristics into play, unique to you, reflect your personality, and practical, then you will be assured of having your dream office.
It can safely be assumed, if you are small business owner you spend more time in your office than anywhere else. The following information will help you to have the office you love.
Some planning is necessary to get to where you want to be. You must asses what your needs really are. Ask yourself the following questions?
- What type of storage is needed?
- What type of space do I have to work with?
- Are there things in my office that work well for me already?
- What items do I need to have easy and fast access to?
- What colors really do it for me?
- Can I consolidate my office equipment?
Those are few questions that will help to get you started.
The next step is inventorying your office to see what you are missing. You may require additional file space. In that case you need to add file cabinets to your list, at the same time keeping your space limitations in mind. Don’t be afraid to sketch your dream office on paper.
Now comes the good part. Repaint your office with your favorite colors. Make working in your office an enjoyable experience for you. Rearrange you workspace to be practical, but make sure you include things you love. That could include family photos, your mounted fish (the one that almost got away), the plaques you received for achievements and memberships, and your favorite paper weights. The ideas are endless. Make it your space. Just because it is an office doesn’t mean it can’t have personality.
On the technical side, you must have up to date equipment and required office supplies on hand at all times. Imagine printing several booklets at one page per minute verse 20 pages per minute or even waiting for your bank statement to load on your computer. Are you using dialup internet access or DSL? I won’t get into the technical terms, but the point is, you need to have state of the art equipment to get the job done in an efficient manner. That does not mean going out buying the most expensive equipment. Once you know exactly what your needs are, stick to your guns and get equipment to fill those
needs. Expansion is an important consideration, but make sure you are realistic.
Your office furniture also needs to ergonomic meaning it needs to be conducive to your body type. Is your computer monitor at an angle or directly at eye level in front of you? Is your keyboard so high up you look like you are waving to your monitor? If it is, you need to lower it so that your arms are in line with your elbows. Can you rest your feet in a comfortable position? Is your chair adjustable and comfortable? All your furniture should be tailored for you.
A great way to make sure you have the office of your dreams is to get reorganized. Clear your files, purge your databases, restock your supplies and get rid of items you no longer have a need for.
Don’t know where to begin? Well great ideas are lurking everywhere.
You can get great ideas for magazines, TV, the internet or your best friends, to die for, office.
Don’t limit yourself. You can change the look of your office at anytime. If you feel your time should be better spent making money, than outsource. There are companies that specialize in helping you have your dream space. Take the leap and have what you’ve dreamed of, your very own fantabulous office.
Elizabeth Hall, owner of Smart Office Help, Inc., offers ways for your business to save valuable time and money, by providing administrative and bookkeeping services to busy business owners. Contact Elizabeth Hall at 407-884-7755 for your personalized consultation. Sign up for your FREE Business Success Newsletter on our website http://www.smartofficehelp.com or subscribe by sending a blank email to PaperClip@getresonse.com
Home Office Furniture
How To Set Up A Professional Home Office
Each day, more and more people are getting caught in the ‘work from home’ fever. Government as well as companies is quickly embracing this type of ‘work from home’ scheme as there are many benefits such as employee being able to spend more time with the family and saving office space rental as well. Likewise, the explosion of the internet has created many internet entrepreneurs who just need a computer in their home to operate a home business.
As home office is getting more and more popular, it is important that you design and setup your home office in a manner that is conducive and productive for you to work in.
First of all, identify a location within your home where you can work conductively without any noise or distraction. Is there a spare room in the house or is there any place where you can create a space to work in? Make sure that there is sufficient lighting during the day time.
Once you have chosen that area, consider doing up wall shelves to put your stationery and office document to save space on the table. As table space is usually small, consider buying a ‘miniature’ desktop computer / laptop to put on the table. More spaces can be created by attaching the house phone to the wall as well.
If there are clients coming to your place, you might want to add in a sofa at a corner and a few magazine racks for them to browse through the magazine while they are waiting. To give your home office a ‘more professional’ look, you might want to get creative and decorate the wall with nice paintings or paint the wall with a nice color. Try adding some greenery such as potted plant or flowers as well. By taking the effort to spruce up your office, you can enhance a more professional company image when client steps into your office.
As you can see, the expenses really do add up when you spruce up your home office image. One cost saving idea is to buy used office furniture. Check out places like the classified section in your newspaper, flea market or bankruptcy sales as you can get great bargain for your office furniture.
Justin Koh is a freelance writer whose articles have appear in most major ezines. You can find his latest office furniture news and articles at http://www.officefurniturecenter.info
