Heal enables you to restore your computer's files and Windows registry settings using the data backed up during previous backups. Heal is different from Retrieve in that you use it to recover your system (for example, following a crash or corrupt system) instead of simply retrieve one or more specific files.

Heal is available only if your Agent is configured to allow its functionality, in which case your Agent displays the Heal Wizard tab. Your Agent might also be configured to show the Adv . Heal tab, which offers more control over selecting files and folders to include in the Heal. Your Agent must use Full System File Selection in order to use Heal, because Heal requires backed up copies of all your files, not just data files.

Heal works by returning your computer's files and settings to the configuration that existed on a date you select. Using Heal, you can repair operating system and other files that have become corrupt or damaged on your computer. You can also use Heal to replace your files and settings onto a new computer if your original computer is lost or destroyed. However, the new computer must have identical hardware and operating system software as the original computer, and you must first recover your Agent account on the new computer.

Generally, you would use Heal in the following situations:

	An application has ceased to function reliably and the cause of the malfunction is undetermined.
	The computer's registry settings have been altered and must be restored.
	The computer's operating system is producing errors or behaving erratically following a modification or possible virus infection.
	The computer or hard disk has been lost or destroyed and your data must be restored onto a new computer.

By default, the Agent connects to the Data Center and performs a Heal from the files backed up on the Data Center . However, you can also perform a Heal using CDs that contain your backed up files. This is helpful for laptops and other computers that might not be connected to the network or that use slow connections such as dial-ups.

Heal Requirements

The following requirements must be met to perform a Heal:

	Your Agent must use Full System File Selection , and you must have previously performed a Full System Backup.
	If using a new computer or new hardware for the Heal, the new hardware must be identical to the original computer. If you are restoring your data onto a new computer or onto a computer that has undergone repairs, make sure that all of hardware (hard disk, video cards, etc.) matches that of the original computer. The hard drive of the target computer may be larger than the original, but all other hardware must match exactly.
	The operating system for the computer on which the Heal is being conducted must be identical to the operating system on the original computer. You cannot use Heal to restore data to a computer with a different operating system configuration than the original computer. For example, an account that was backed up from a Windows 98 computer cannot be healed to a Windows XP computer.
	Your Agent must be configured to allow Heal. If you are restoring your account onto a new computer, make sure that the Agent has exactly the same configuration as the Agent on the original computer. When you restore the Agent account, be sure to use the same account number, encryption key , and password (if a password was previously used), as opposed to creating a new account.