Using Safe Mode at startup

To use Safe Mode with Command Prompt to return the computer to a previous restore point, follow the steps below.
NOTE: Using System Restore in Safe Mode to return the computer to a previous restore point cannot be undone.

1. Press the power button to turn on the computer.
2. At the first screen, press the f8 key repeatedly every half of a second until the Windows Advanced Boot Options screen displays.

3. Press the down arrow key until Safe Mode with Command Prompt is selected, and then press enter . Wait while Windows loads system files. The Windows log on screen appears.
4. At the command prompt, enter rstrui.exe , and then press enter . Wait a few moments for the System Restore window to open.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform a system restore.

You have now returned the computer to a previous restore point using Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Backup and Restore important files and data in Vista

To Backup:
1. Click Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Backup and Restore
2. Under Backup files or your entire computer, click Backup files
3. On the Where you want to save your backup? page, choose the location in which
to save the backup.
If you select a hard disk, be sure to save the backup to an external drive such as a
USB key or USB hard drive.
4. Click Next
5. On the Which file types do you want to backup? page, click to select the
check boxes next to the types of files that you want to back up, and then click Next
6. On the How often do you want to create a backup? page, leave the defaults as they are and click Save Settings and Start backup to back up the files to the specified location.
Backup will save the files in the background and may take several minutes to complete. If you specified a removable drive, Backup may prompt you to enter an additional blank disc if more than one is necessary to hold all your files. Be sure to label your discs thoroughly (such as "My Files Disc 1" etc.) so you can quickly restore them later.

To Restore:
1. Click Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Backup and Restore
2. Under Restore files or your entire computer, click Advanced Restore.
3. On the What do you want to restore? page, click Files from a backup made on a different computer and click Next
4. Locate the backup you created earlier by browsing to it now. If you saved the backup to CD(s) or DVD, insert that disc now. Once the backup is located and selected, then click Next
5. On the Select the files and folders to restore page, click the check box Restore everything in this backup then click Next
Backup will restore the files to your computer. If you are restoring from a removable drive and used more than one blank disc, Backup will prompt you to enter the next disc in the set as necessary. Depending on the number of files and their sizes, this process may take several minutes.