Rolling back a PC to a point before a problem arose

Recently, my Dell XPS-420 started acting very strangely, with several major
problems. I understand that I can roll back the PC to reflect a date just
before things started acting strangely. But if I do this, what are the risks
of doing so? What surprises might I encounter by doing this, like possibly
losing recent e-mails, etc.

Also, if I am dissatisfied with rolling the PC back to a given date, can I
restore it to where it was before the rollback, without losing any data?

Also, where in Vista would I go to start this process? And is there any
tutorial on doing this in Vista?

Thanks.

"Karl TT" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> Recently, my Dell XPS-420 started acting very strangely, with several
> major problems. I understand that I can roll back the PC to reflect a date
> just before things started acting strangely. But if I do this, what are
> the risks of doing so? What surprises might I encounter by doing this,
> like possibly losing recent e-mails, etc.
>
> Also, if I am dissatisfied with rolling the PC back to a given date, can I
> restore it to where it was before the rollback, without losing any data?
>
> Also, where in Vista would I go to start this process? And is there any
> tutorial on doing this in Vista?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>

You will not lose personal data. Windows System Restore recalls system files
from the date picked in order to get you working again..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore.

Earle

"Karl TT" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> Recently, my Dell XPS-420 started acting very strangely, with several
> major problems. I understand that I can roll back the PC to reflect a date
> just before things started acting strangely. But if I do this, what are
> the risks of doing so? What surprises might I encounter by doing this,
> like possibly losing recent e-mails, etc.
>
> Also, if I am dissatisfied with rolling the PC back to a given date, can I
> restore it to where it was before the rollback, without losing any data?
>
> Also, where in Vista would I go to start this process? And is there any
> tutorial on doing this in Vista?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>

On Thu, 4 Dec 2008 19:27:32 -0500, "Mike Hall - MVP"
<mikehall@remove_mvps.com> wrote:

Will the rollback make the Windows update list back to what it was
before the updates were performed?

What files will be changed when you do a system restore? Will all the
previous system files and user files be restored? Can you roll back
and then roll forward?


>"Karl TT" <> wrote in message
>news:%...
>> Recently, my Dell XPS-420 started acting very strangely, with several
>> major problems. I understand that I can roll back the PC to reflect a date
>> just before things started acting strangely. But if I do this, what are
>> the risks of doing so? What surprises might I encounter by doing this,
>> like possibly losing recent e-mails, etc.
>>
>> Also, if I am dissatisfied with rolling the PC back to a given date, can I
>> restore it to where it was before the rollback, without losing any data?
>>
>> Also, where in Vista would I go to start this process? And is there any
>> tutorial on doing this in Vista?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>
>You will not lose personal data. Windows System Restore recalls system files
>from the date picked in order to get you working again..

"Peter" <> wrote in message
news:...

> What files will be changed when you do a system restore?

Only system files.

> Will all the previous system files and user files be restored?

User files in places like Documents etc will remain intact.

> Can you roll back and then roll forward?

After doing a System Restore you have the option of undoing the last
operation.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience.
http://www.dasmirnov.net/blog/
http://www.windowsresource.net/

*Remove nospam. to reply by e-mail*

On Fri, 5 Dec 2008 13:58:01 -0000, "Paul Smith"
<> wrote:

Will the rollback make the Windows update list change back to where it
was before the checkpoint?

>"Peter" <> wrote in message
>news:.. .
>
>> What files will be changed when you do a system restore?
>
>Only system files.
>
>> Will all the previous system files and user files be restored?
>
>User files in places like Documents etc will remain intact.
>
>> Can you roll back and then roll forward?
>
>After doing a System Restore you have the option of undoing the last
>operation.

Peter <> wrote:

>On Fri, 5 Dec 2008 13:58:01 -0000, "Paul Smith"
><> wrote:
>
>Will the rollback make the Windows update list change back to where it
>was before the checkpoint?

Yes.

Now stop asking questions and go for it.


>>"Peter" <> wrote in message
>>news:. ..
>>
>>> What files will be changed when you do a system restore?
>>
>>Only system files.
>>
>>> Will all the previous system files and user files be restored?
>>
>>User files in places like Documents etc will remain intact.
>>
>>> Can you roll back and then roll forward?
>>
>>After doing a System Restore you have the option of undoing the last
>>operation.

On Sat, 06 Dec 2008 09:28:58 -0600, Martin Descartes
<> wrote:

I just do the restore, but the Windows update list still displays the
previous cancelled updates.

>Peter <> wrote:
>
>>On Fri, 5 Dec 2008 13:58:01 -0000, "Paul Smith"
>><> wrote:
>>
>>Will the rollback make the Windows update list change back to where it
>>was before the checkpoint?
>
>Yes.
>
>Now stop asking questions and go for it.
>
>
>>>"Peter" <> wrote in message
>>>news: ...
>>>
>>>> What files will be changed when you do a system restore?
>>>
>>>Only system files.
>>>
>>>> Will all the previous system files and user files be restored?
>>>
>>>User files in places like Documents etc will remain intact.
>>>
>>>> Can you roll back and then roll forward?
>>>
>>>After doing a System Restore you have the option of undoing the last
>>>operation.