Need to create a recovery CD

19 years ago

Can anyone provide or recommend tried-and-true instructions for creating a recovery CD? I've seen a couple of web sites and I'm wondering if someone here can recommend a particular site for this purpose.

We still don't have a back-up system and I'm getting nervous....

Jen

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

grandms
19 years ago
Jenn, what kind of computer are we dealing with? My HPs came with a partition containing the recovery data for re-installing the OS. The manual explained in detail how to create the recovery CDs or DVDs. That was the first thing I did, and I made both CDs and DVDs to have in case I needed to restore the OS.

You are asking about making restore disks and not backups? More information from you would help in giving advice.
jenn
Original Author
19 years ago
Sorry, I need to remember to give more info. :-)

We have a Dell Dimension XPS Gen 5. I want to make a recovery disk in case we need to restore our system. I also want to make backups, but that's another issue I asked about in "Back-up to HD or DVD?"

If our Dell has such a partition, how would it be identified? I looked for one in My Computer and also in C:\ and didn't see anything that indicated that's what it is.

Thanks,
Jen
Related Discussions
Hotfixes on XP SP2 after doing a recovery?
Q
Comments (9)
Was not ignoring your input -- just researching what you both said. (As well as getting sidetracked by trying to get things working since the Recovery. :] ) Whew... Owbist, I didn't want to get SP3 just yet. Ryan's site has all of those updates bundled in one package -- that's why I thought it might be worth considering. Also was wondering if anyone else might have downloaded the package and what they thought of it. I do so trust people's opinions from this forum -- the help I've received over the years has been invaluable. Raven, I immediately clicked on the link you offered. Spent mucho time going back there to find the "Download" for that update. Couldn't find it yesterday. Spent more time again today. Just went to the link again a few minutes ago and -- lo and behold -- M/S had magically added a prominent Download button! Ha. Thanks, I did d/l the file. I appreciate the input/advice from you two. This is such a great forum. I hadn't been here much recently, but I always, always recommend it to others. Thanks again, Kat P.S. On my Compaq computer desktop is an icon entitled "Help and Support." Was able to get to the correct Windows place, whereby I downloaded and installed the 74 old updates I needed!
...See More
System Recovery Problem
Q
Comments (6)
This is going to be an interesting issue. Here's why. You are going to have to unplug the old drive from the inside because the bios is going to see that it is there when you are reloading Windows. It doesn't look at the current install that you have. First you need to unplug the old internal CDROM. Second, start up the computer and go into the "Setup" menu, with the external drive plugged in. As soon as you start the computer, there should be some Compaq screen that pops up and tells you to push F10 or something like that to get into the setup screens or what some call the "Bios." The bios is software that runs on your motherboard and allows access to different startup and hardware aspects in your system. You need to go under the startup sequence menu and look to see if the external drive is recognized. If it is you can load Windows from that drive. If not, let me know the exact make and model of the external drive and I can see what your options are.
...See More
New Computer Create Recovery Media
Q
Comments (3)
Owbist, thanks I do like the fast boot on W8 - even with the switch to Desk Top, which to my simple needs is like being back in W7, it is a much shorter wait to start browsing or getting email. Mikie, not sure I "know and love" playing with the BIOS, but in the past I have had occasions to need to. Mostly that goes back to W95 days. Or even the 3.x whatever was before '95. You seem to be suggesting a 3rd party recovery tool. As I noted Gateway provides a tool to image the HDD as well as restore to factory fresh - as I have already uninstalled Norton I assume that would be Factory Fresh less Norton which is fine with me. What I miss was W7 had a DVD boot capability and Toshiba provided me with the tools to create a repair DVD, separate from a restore DVD... I liked that, it prevented me form doing damage by clicking on the wrong button. I suppose the Gateway restore doesn't proved direct access to F8. I do recall tapping F8 during a boot in XP and earlier to get into the BIOS..you seem to be saying (to my reading) that W8 doesn't let one get to the BIOS until the password is satisfied. I don't know if that is different in W7, I have never gone to the BIOS in my W7 machines. I have had to boot the Toshiba notebook off of the Repair DVD a couple of times and it saved my "bacon". On Password, in W7 I could easily change or remove the password.. that seems to be buried deeper in W8. Is it even possible to run W8 without an administrative password protected logon? My giant 17.3" Gateway will likely not be taken out of the house, a password isn't needed - well if a crook breaks into my house it would be better if I has some protection on all computers... problem is W8 ended up with a very complicated password that resulted from my initial start up of the machine..as I recall it had something to do with a password for my Microsoft account, and being external I wanted a secure PW, in fact MS may have required it.
...See More
Windows 8, Creating a backup/recovery
Q
Comments (2)
Okay, Jerry, Get with the program... I just ordered a 16 GByte Flash Drive, for about $12. Problem solved. It was just old fashioned of me, and easy for me, to want to do things the "old way", using those small capacity DVD disks. Then, I remember using floppy disk media, if I recall correctly the first one was 750 KBytes, then the high capacity came out at 1.4 MBytes... guess that was at least 25 years ago.
...See More
bob414
19 years ago
You can only use it once and then it's gone so I can't see where it was on my dell, but seems to me that in start > all programs there was a dell choice and in that there was a recovery listing. If you did not get a printed manual with the computer there is one on the hard drive. If you don't see it in the start > all programs menu search for 'manual' and you will find it. In the manual it will tell you exactly how to make the recovery disk. By the way, since you can only make one I made a copy of mine. cd's have been known to fail. If I were paranoid about it I probably would make a half dozen copies.
grandms
19 years ago
On my HP's, as I posted above, the HDD was partitioned into C and D, with D having the recovery material. Even though I made the DVDs, the D partition is still there. I can remove it if I wish, but my HDD is so large, I doubt if I'll ever need the space for storage. But Bob's suggestion to do a search if it isn't listed in all programs would seem to be the best option. Failing that, I guess you could call Dell Customer Support.
jenn
Original Author
19 years ago
Believe it or not, the Dell owner's manual says nothing about making a recovery disc - nothing! There also isn't a selection for it in any of the Dell sub-menus in the Start > Programs menu.

I do appreciate the advice already given..... any other ideas?

Jen
bob414
19 years ago
This page may help: Dell Support. In the copy of the manual I found at dell support there were directions on pages 64-67 for doing what you want to do. If you didn't receive the cd's mentioned I suggest you contact dell support - I have found them to be very helpful.

Related Stories

By Alison Hodgson

Documenting your home items is essential, even if disaster seems unimaginable. And it may be easier than you think

Full Story

181

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Create a Fun, Fresh Workspace

By Lauren Hufnagl

These refreshing colors and metallic accents can take a home office from sterile to inspiring

Full Story

DIY PROJECTS How to Create Your Own Semicustom Media Wall

By No. 29 Design

Don’t let the price of a custom built-in stop you. Put one together with ready-made pieces and a little finish help

Full Story

101

MORE ROOMS Create Your Own Massage Room

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

Imagine your own home relaxation chamber filled with everything you need for a muscle-melting massage

Full Story

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD After the Quakes: New Christchurch Houses 5 Years Later

By Simon Farrell-Green

These New Zealand architects and homeowners have overcome the obstacles and created strong, stylish new homes

Full Story

REMODELING GUIDES Houzz News: Remodeling Heats Up

By Vanessa Brunner

With the U.S. economy showing signs of recovery, homeowners invest in quality, livability and "a place to make their own"

Full Story

SMALL HOMES Room of the Day: Living-Dining Room Redo Helps a Client Begin to Heal

By Becky Harris

After a tragic loss, a woman sets out on the road to recovery by improving her condo

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Double Trouble and a Happy Ending

By Becky Harris

Burst pipes result in back-to-back kitchen renovations. The second time around, this interior designer gets her kitchen just right

Full Story

DISASTER PREP & RECOVERY 10 Contractor Scam Warning Signs

By Vanessa Brunner

Protect yourself, your home and your finances after a natural disaster by following these tips for sniffing out storm chasers

Full Story

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

How you treat your home after a natural disaster can make all the difference in its future livability — and your own personal safety

Full Story

Need to create a recovery CD

Comments (6)

grandms

jenn
Original Author

Related Discussions

bob414

grandms

jenn
Original Author

bob414

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Need to create a recovery CD

Comments (6)

grandms

jennOriginal Author

Related Discussions

bob414

grandms

jennOriginal Author

bob414

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

jenn
Original Author

jenn
Original Author