If your recovery disk is gone or you didn’t have one then this is what this article is for. Your only savior is to go back to most recent settings that worked, in other words yesterday’s settings. Microsoft provides an effective way to somehow backup your computer settings and configuration, this is called System Restore. System Restore has ability to create a restore point wherein every once a week or two depending on how often you install or uninstall updates and programs. The following steps will walk you through process of setting up your restore point and how to go back if you need it.

Start by going to Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools, and then open System Restore.

On right side panel it will give you an option to Create Restore point or Restore my computer to an earlier time.

Choose Create Restore Point, and then put your description, hit next then put in date you want to go back to, then hit “Create” and that’s it. You just save yourself on formatting your computer in future.

•If using floppy disks to transfer data make sure to format them before using them for first time.

•Never use pirated software. This is both illegal and a very good way to invite an unwanted computer virus.

•When downloading software from internet do so as little as possible. There are many neat programs available on internet, but unfortunately there are many viruses that go along with them also.

•If you must download programs from internet ALWAYS scan them for viruses BEFORE opening them up to install on your computer.

•Probably most important and neglected method of disaster recovery are periodic backups of all important files found on your computer. Should a virus happen to get through your lines of defense you may need to replace virus corrupted files with fresh ones that have been kept for such an occasion.

Finally, it is not guaranteed that if you follow above steps that you will not be victim of a computer virus, but you can sure bet that if followed you will greatly reduce chance of being an unsuspecting recipient of such an unwanted program.