Help with installer and email

[momof2inmn]

I recently tried to install a program for my daughter and got the message that there was already something installing and I couldn't do the new install until the first one was complete.

Since I was not installing anything I contacted Dell for support. After trying to update or re-install the installer Dell told me that the problem was somewhere in Vista and that I would have to do a whole system restore to set everything back to how it was the day I received the computer (Dec. 07).

First of all, does this sound like the correct thing to do? I have really no experience with anything other than basic computer use.

Second, if I do need to do the restore I have to make a copy of my email messages and contacts and I can't seem to find the location of that file. I transferred all my other files to a flash drive but can't find the email files.

Can anyone direct me to my email files? Also, has anyone else had this problem and what did you do to fix it?

Thanks!!