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system recovery disk

17 years ago

How do i make a system recovery disk for windows vista.I just got a new laptop......I'm lost....thanks

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Comments (17)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
is this what you are looking for?
Howto Create Portable Windows Vista System Recovery-Rescue Disk with Service Pack 1
owbist
17 years ago
You fail to mention a make? If this is an HP there should be an icon the the desktop, just double click on it to start the creation of your recovery DVD. This will be a DVD not a CD with Vista. Perhaps other makes also place an icon on the desktop too.
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Yes probably but you'll have to be able to boot , probably,from the flash drive. Check on ebay to see if anyone sells a backup disc, look at their feedback , and what else they sell. If they seem to be adequately informed ask them the same Q and then buy something from them. Consider buying the entire memory module from them for $12. They might have one lying around and glad to get rid of it plus the backup program you want. Other than that googl the actual model ..and look for forums other than this one. The Q. , especially for a newer computer, is a bit too high tech for what I've seen on GWeb. But don't give up. Share what you learn here and maybe you'll improve GW's people's memory and get to your answer faster. Good luck. If you're prompted for the backup why not try it out and tell us what you find out.
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My goodness gracious, this really isn't that complicated. If you suspected a bad drive, what you should have done is determined the manufacturer of the drive and downloaded the manufacturers diagnostic utility. If it reported errors, replace the drive (perhaps under warranty) if not, look elsewhere for the source of trouble. As it appears you replaced the original drive, the new drive is blank and has no operating system hence the error message. You have four choices: Reinstall the original drive and run the appropriate diagnostic utility to see if the drive is actually failing. Leave the new drive in place and reinstall the operating system via the supplied recovery disc which will return the computer as it was when you first opened the box. Once that's up and running, get all the Windows updates and install any software you'd like to use. Of course, you'll loose any data on the old drive. You do not need to download any drivers first unless you've made big hardware changes to the computer. "Big" changes would most likely be video or sound cards. Use the original drive to make a clone (exact copy) of the drive contents on the new drive. Every drive manufacturer includes the necessary software and instructions in the package or makes it available as a free download from their website. While this method will preserve your son's data, if the problem wasn't the drive but rather, say, some corruption in Windows, those problems will continue. Leave the new drive in place and reinstall the old drive. Run the recovery disc, installing Windows to the new drive. As described above, get Windows updates and reinstall any software. Selectively copy data files from the old drive to the new drive. If the diagnostic software indicates impending failure, do this part quickly. Let us know how you want to proceed and if you need additional instructions.
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OK we need to step back a little. You did not mention your operating system nor the program you use to create your back up image. If you have Vista or Windows 7 it comes with a back up utility. XP does not so you need a third party program such as Acronis True Image or similar. From what I can see you external drive came with no back up program installed on it. Using your HP recovery disks will return the computer to the state it was when you first opened the box and set your machine up. All data will be lost unless it is backed up. All bloatware will be installed again, exactly as it left the factory. Restoring an image created in Vista, Win7 or third party software however returns the computer to the exact state it was in when you created that particular image. Some (perhaps all) programs offer incremental backups, in other words they add stuff onto the previous back up. Personally I never allow that, I always create a new image then delete the older one. There is no specific reason for that, it is just one of my many quirks.
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genes
17 years ago
Yes, a little information goes a long way
caroline1947
17 years ago
I also was wondering about this. I just got a new Compaq and I get a periodic reminder hat I should make a recovery disk. Is this something really crucial or are they just wanting me to buy their disks? It gives me the option to buy from them..
owbist
17 years ago
Caroline, yes this is very important. Suppose your hard drive fails? As it is now you would have no operating system and worse perhaps you would have no drivers for the motherboard and onboard features.
ilmbg
17 years ago
I guess not all companies send a recovery disc when you buy a computer? Acer did not, but friends did get one when they bought theirs. Doesn't it make sense that you should get one ???
caroline1947
17 years ago
I guess so. I had 2 other computers and never knew I needed one. I have no clue how to do it,or what kind of disks to get,so will have to find out.Thanks!!
susie_60nc
Original Author
17 years ago
I have a Toshiba Satellite L355-S7902, for now i am just lost in the vista windows.I have always have hp computers.I know it will get better the more i use it,until then i am praying alot.......THANKS......
mikie_gw
17 years ago
Your Toshiba should have come with recovery Cd's or DVDs and will allow you to reinstall the system very easy back to just like factory new should something go drastically wrong. Plus you should be able to load individual componente too - when you start it you will have some options on what do you want to do.

My Toshiba with Vista has the Recovery Environment and all needed windows files/drivers on a hidden drive partition and amazingly when you really screw up something to a non start-able state the Toshiba will automatically fix the boot/startup process without you needing to do a thing, for many if not 'almost' all startup problems. Plus on F8 window you should see 'Repair my PC' which runs the automatic startup fixit which checks things and fixes.

Of course if you lose hard drive access and then it would be nice to have that bootable CD ravencraven linked to burn the recovery environment to CD/DVD so you can hopefully fix things, should you delete your boot-loader or something that makes the hdd lost.
stargazzer
17 years ago
I ordered a set for my new HP and got them in a few days. $15.
genes
17 years ago
Check in your user manuals for making "recovery disks" or something of that nature. It will explain the process and of course what sort of media to use. If your machine is equipped with a DVD-RW/CD-RW you can write either CDs or DVDs. DVDs would be preferable as it would probably only take 2 or 3. If your machine has a CD-RW/DVD then, it is only capable of burning CDs
mikie_gw
17 years ago
Unless they quit, Toshiba's come with the set of recovery disks. And you cant make them from that. But windows does offer in early vista sp1 the option to make a repair disk. But did away with that windows option somewhere before sp2 came about.
susie_60nc
Original Author
17 years ago
I didnt get any cds with my computer.I am still trying to figure it out.Thanks for all your help.........
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
then look to see if you show a D: drive in your pc if so they have set up a partition with the recovery files stored there, that would be what you need to back up and save to disc.

using this free belarc tool is very handy it tells you everything about your pc, I always print one out when I get a new pc so I know exactly how it was brand new then do them on occasion later so it shows what I have added, comes in extremely handy.
Belarc
genes
17 years ago
With Toshibas if you ever want to do a full recovery from the recovery partition, I believe an Alt-F10 will take you to the full recovery as long as the recovery partition isnt deleted etc
mikie_gw
17 years ago
FWiW Toshiba Support upgrades for your model shows a few very current date upgrades...
Downloads has one item ;

Toshiba Recovery Disc Creator Launcher (Dual OS 32/64bit & StandAlone 32/64bit) (v5.0.0.5; 04-27-2009; 3M)

They didn't have the user manual online for your model or I would have quickly looked to see if it shows procedures to make a set.

Here is a link that might be useful: Toshiba Support ; (click downloads)
del5
17 years ago
I have a new Toshiba too. Look for Recovery Disc Creator on your Programs menu off the Start button. You will need 3 blank DVD's.

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