Thank you, Sam

Dear Sam,

This is an important question, and a situation where many people find themselves.

When you purchase a new or used computer, you want to make sure you have the disks needed to do a fresh install of Windows in the event of an infection, or hard drive crash.

Many computers now come with a restore partition on the hard drive that will allow you to do a fresh install. That is a great idea… unless your hard drive has died or become corrupted, then you have lost your restore partition along with your hard drive.

To provide a fix for this problem, many computer manufactures will provide a program that will allow you to make your own backup CDs when you first get your computer. If you bring home your new computer, and a reminder pops up asking you to make a restore CD set, don’t ignore it. Make those CDs.

Another option that you might be able to use in your situation is to call the manufacturer of your computer. It might be HP, or Compaq, Dell or Gateway. Many manufacturers will sell you a restore CD set for 20 or 30 dollars.

If none of those options are working for you, then you will have to purchase a retail version of Windows. This is a rather expensive solution. Windows sells for over $100 but it is still less expensive than purchasing a new computer.

The fact that you purchased your computer online at Tiger really does not make much of a difference, but the brand of the computer can make a difference for you.

Elizabeth

If you are restoring your favorites using Internet Explorer 6:

1. Open Internet Explorer 6.

2. In the menu bar, click on “File” and then click on “Import and Export…”

3. This will start the Import/Export Wizard. On the first page, click the “Next” button.

4. Click on “Import from a file or address” to select it, then click on the “Browse…” button.

5. In the browse window that appears, find the section at the very top of the window that says “Save in” and click on the down arrow to view the list of locations. Find your removable disk, and click on it to select it, then click on the “Save” button.

6. This will take you back to the wizard. Click “Next” to continue.

7. On the next page of the wizard, you need to chose where to save your favorites. I usually just click on the “Favorites” folder at the top of the list, then click “Next”.

8. Click the “Finish” button to start the import, then click on the “OK” button to complete the process.

To restore your favorites using Internet Explorer 7 in Windows XP:

1. Open Internet Explorer 7. Your favorites are now accessed by clicking on a small yellow star in the upper left portion of the window. Click on the smaller yellow star that has a green cross over it. A menu will drop down, click on “Import and Export…” in that menu.

2. The Import/Export Wizard window will open. On the first page, click “Next”.

3. On the second page of the wizard, click on “Import Favorites” and then click “Next”.

4. On the Third page of the wizard, click to select “Import from a file or address” and then click the “Browse…” button.

5. In the browse window that appears, find the section at the very top of the window that says “Look in” and click on the down arrow to view the list of locations. Find your removable disk, and click on it to select it, then click on the “Open” button.

6. This will take you back to the wizard. Click on “Next” to continue

7. On the next page of the wizard, click on the folder you want your favorites to be imported to. Usually the top folder named Favorites is the best choice. Click “Next” to continue.

8. Click on the “Finish” button to start the import, and then click on the “OK” button to complete the process.

To restore your favorites using Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista:

1. Open Internet Explorer 7. Open your favorites menu by clicking on the smaller yellow star that has a green cross over it. A menu will drop down, click on “Import and Export…” in that menu.

2. The Import/Export Wizard window will open. On the first page, click “Next”.

3. On the second page of the wizard, click on “Import Favorites” and then click “Next”.

4. On the Third page of the wizard, click to select “Import from a file or address” and then click the “Browse…” button.

5. In the “Select Bookmark File” window that appears, click on “Computer” in the left hand column. If “Computer” is not visible, click on the “More” button and then click on “Computer” from the list that appears.

6. Click on your removable disk on the right hand side of the window to select it, then click on the “Open” button at the bottom of the window.

7. Click once on your bookmark file, then click “Open” again.

8. This will take you back to the wizard. Click on “Next” to continue

9. On the next page of the wizard, click on the folder you want your favorites to be imported to. Usually the top folder named Favorites is the best choice. Click “Next” to continue.

10. Click on the “Finish” button to start the import, and then click on the “OK” button to complete the process.

Elizabeth

Click on “Start” point to “All Programs” then “Accessories”, “System Tools” and then click on “System Restore”.

Click on “Restore My Computer to an earlier Time” then click “Next”.

Click a date on the calendar that is before your problem started happening, only dates that are bold (darker) will work. Then click “Next”.

Click “Next” again and wait while the restore process takes place. Your computer will reboot to finish the process.

Elizabeth