Fix Broken Windows Fast

If viruses, faulty patches, or botched software installations have ever crashed your Windows PC to the point of no return, you know that the road to recovery can be as long as it is frustrating. And if you have better things to do than reinstall your operating system and programs, consider Raxco Software's FirstDefense-ISR.

This utility is an industrial-strength alternative to Microsoft Windows' System Restore feature. While System Restore backs up only Registry settings and select system files (and saves them for a maximum of 90 days), FirstDefense-ISR takes a snapshot of your entire Windows XP, 2000, or Server 2003 system--including your personal application settings and data, e-mail, and bookmarks--and saves up to ten snapshots indefinitely. This requires substantially more hard disk space (my computer averaged about 5GB per snapshot versus 1.4GB for the same PC using XP's System Restore). But the trade-off is that I can resuscitate applications, data, and settings that System Restore simply can't revive.

To test a $45 shipping version, I installed the software and performed several system snapshots. Next, I vandalized my computer by deleting vital files including Boot.ini, Kernel.exe, and Ntdetect.com until Windows XP Pro would no longer launch. I then depressed the F1 key during the next boot process, which took me to a FirstDefense-ISR screen where I picked a snapshot to roll back to. After that, my PC booted without a hitch.

FirstDefense-ISR shouldn't be confused with typical backup software: Its snapshots cannot be stored remotely. What the program can do, however, is save your bacon the next time you run into catastrophic system problems.

FirstDefense-ISR

Raxco Software

An excellent rollback program-- just be sure you have plenty of hard drive storage space. Price when reviewed: $45 Current prices (if available)