Reverting to an Earlier Configuration

Ideally, solving a problem will require a specific tweak to the system: a driver upgrade, a reboot, a firmware update. But sometimes you need to take more of a "big picture" approach to revert your system to some previous state in the hope that you'll leap past the problem and get your system working again. Windows Vista offers an easy method for doing this: System Restore. This feature can revert your system to a previous state. In this case, you want to revert your system to a state when you could access your network and the Internet. To revert your system to a restore point, follow these steps:

1. Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. The User Account Control dialog box appears.
2. Enter your UAC credentials to display the System Restore dialog box.
3. The first System Restore dialog box offers two options:

   Recommended Restore. Activate this option to restore Windows Vista to the restore point shown (which is usually the most recent restore point). Skip to step 4.
   Choose a Different Restore Point. Activate this option to select from a list of restore points. Click Next to display the Chose a Restore Point dialog box and continue with step 3.

4. Click the restore point you want to use. There are five common types of restore points:

   System. A restore point that Windows Vista creates automatically. For example, the System Checkpoint is the restore point that Vista creates each day or when you boot your computer.
   Install. A restore point set prior to installing a program or update. Manual. A restore point you create yourself.
   Undo. A restore point set prior to a previous use of System Restore to revert the system to an earlier state.
   Unknown. Any restore point that doesn't fit in the above categories.

5. Click Next. If other hard disks are available in the restore point, Vista displays a list of the disks. Activate the check box beside each disk you want to include in the restore, and then click Next.
6. Click Finish. Vista asks you to confirm that you want your system restored.
7. Click Yes. System Restore begins reverting to the restore point. When it's done, it restarts your computer and displays a message telling you the results of the restore.
8. Click Close.