Illustration: Gordon McAlpin

If you don’t have a Windows Vista or Windows 7 CD or DVD, you’ll need to make a recovery disc in order to rescue your PC in case it crashes. Assuming you’ve got a blank CD or DVD and a CD burner:

• Click Start
• Click Control Panel
• Click System and Maintenance
• Click Backup and Restore
• Click Create a System Repair Disc

Put the blank disc in when it asks, and follow the instructions.

When you need the disc, just boot from it using the boot options function key that flashes on your screen when you start your PC, and you’ll be able to repair Windows if something went wrong.