How can i back up the whole operating system?

[OBAFGKM_RNS@yahoo.com]

Sorry if this is a dumb question but... what if say, my computer
crashes or the hard drive goes bad? How do i reinstall all of my
software that came with my computer, including Windows Vista itself?
I'm using Vista Home Premium Edition.

The reason i ask is because the backup utility states repeatedly that
it will not back up system files or program files etc (only files such
as photos and music and documents etc. No disks of any kind came with
the computer. How is it possible to reinstall the software that came
with my computer if I cant back it up???

 

[Julian]

<OBAFGKM_RNS@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1184034541.847680.17630@n2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> Sorry if this is a dumb question but... what if say, my computer
> crashes or the hard drive goes bad? How do i reinstall all of my
> software that came with my computer, including Windows Vista itself?
> I'm using Vista Home Premium Edition.
>
> The reason i ask is because the backup utility states repeatedly that
> it will not back up system files or program files etc (only files such
> as photos and music and documents etc. No disks of any kind came with
> the computer. How is it possible to reinstall the software that came
> with my computer if I cant back it up???
>

http://www.backup-software-reviews.com/backup-faq.htm

 

[Dave]

You need software to make an image (snapshot) of the entire partition, like

http://www.acronis.com/promo/ATI/true-image-017.html?source=google&ad=disk+imaging&s_scid=disk%20image%20software|726748997&gclid=CIWyluL5m40CFSUagQodSFvO1w

http://terabyteunlimited.com/imagew...=GoogleAdWordsSearch&type=GoogleAdWordsSearch




<OBAFGKM_RNS@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1184034541.847680.17630@n2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> Sorry if this is a dumb question but... what if say, my computer
> crashes or the hard drive goes bad? How do i reinstall all of my
> software that came with my computer, including Windows Vista itself?
> I'm using Vista Home Premium Edition.
>
> The reason i ask is because the backup utility states repeatedly that
> it will not back up system files or program files etc (only files such
> as photos and music and documents etc. No disks of any kind came with
> the computer. How is it possible to reinstall the software that came
> with my computer if I cant back it up???
>

 

[peter]

With your computer came a manual that specifically states how to backup the
system.All manufacturers provide some means of backup.Most of them not
adequate.
I found that Using Acronis True Image and an External HD works extremely
well.I image the HD inside the computer to the External HD every week.
Do a Google for the program and read what it can do.
peter
<OBAFGKM_RNS@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1184034541.847680.17630@n2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> Sorry if this is a dumb question but... what if say, my computer
> crashes or the hard drive goes bad? How do i reinstall all of my
> software that came with my computer, including Windows Vista itself?
> I'm using Vista Home Premium Edition.
>
> The reason i ask is because the backup utility states repeatedly that
> it will not back up system files or program files etc (only files such
> as photos and music and documents etc. No disks of any kind came with
> the computer. How is it possible to reinstall the software that came
> with my computer if I cant back it up???
>
>

 

[Jimmy Brush]

OBAFGKM_RNS@yahoo.com wrote:
> Sorry if this is a dumb question but... what if say, my computer
> crashes or the hard drive goes bad? How do i reinstall all of my
> software that came with my computer, including Windows Vista itself?
> I'm using Vista Home Premium Edition.
>
> The reason i ask is because the backup utility states repeatedly that
> it will not back up system files or program files etc (only files such
> as photos and music and documents etc. No disks of any kind came with
> the computer. How is it possible to reinstall the software that came
> with my computer if I cant back it up???
>

Hello,

You can use Windows Complete PC Backup.

- Click start
- Type: backup
- click backup and restore center when it appears
- click "back up computer"
- follow the instructions

--
-JB
Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
Windows Vista Support FAQ - http://www.jimmah.com/vista/

 

[The Sand]

What you are talking about actually happened to me and I had "my files"
(music, pictures, etc.) all backed up but I didn't have the operating
system backed up. Since it was the operating system that got all
currupted Microsoft told me to contact the manufacturer of my computer
and request a copy of the operating system from them - so if I ever have
a problem again in the future I can use the disc. I've e-mailed the
manufacturer and am currently waiting to hear from them...


--
The Sand

 

[Adam Albright]

On Mon, 9 Jul 2007 22:02:49 -0500, The Sand
<The.Sand.2thjfs@no-mx.forums.net> wrote:

>
>What you are talking about actually happened to me and I had "my files"
>(music, pictures, etc.) all backed up but I didn't have the operating
>system backed up. Since it was the operating system that got all
>currupted Microsoft told me to contact the manufacturer of my computer
>and request a copy of the operating system from them - so if I ever have
>a problem again in the future I can use the disc. I've e-mailed the
>manufacturer and am currently waiting to hear from them...

While you should have a DVD of the OS that isn't the same thing as
making a image file. If you have nothing but a copy of the Vista DVD
and your system crashes, then you'll be forced to go back to square
one which means you'll need to reinstall Windows and all your
applications. If you make a regular image of your root partition if
something goes wrong that will restore your system to the state it was
in as of when you made the image file. Which would you rather do?

 

[The Sand]

Well I'd rather do the "right thing" but I'm not sure what that is. You
say, "If you make a regular image of your root partition if something
goes wrong that will restore your system to the state it was in as of
when you made the image file." Okay... If you do that then you wouldn't
need the operating sytem cd would you??? Don't get all mean I'm just
trying to understand. Since a crash did recenlty happen to me I'm also
trying to figure out back up myself.


--
The Sand

 

[OBAFGKM_RNS@yahoo.com]

Thank you all for the help. I will look into some 3rd party backup
programs. Jimmy Brush mentioned using Windows Complete PC Backup, but
I read that it was only available on "Professional" versions of Vista,
and not the "Home editions". I looked for it, but could only find
options to use a basic backup of documents, and not the operating
system and software. The HP computer that I bought came with 0 disks,
and Best Buy told me that their "Geek Squad" creates backup disks for
Vista... for a fee. Amazing that they couldn't make my life easier,
and just throw in the disks, for a computer that cost me over $1,000.

On Jul 9, 10:40 pm, Jimmy Brush <j...@mvps.org> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> You can use Windows Complete PC Backup.
>
> - Click start
> - Type: backup
> - click backup and restore center when it appears
> - click "back up computer"
> - follow the instructions
>
> --
> -JB
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
> Windows Vista Support FAQ -http://www.jimmah.com/vista/

 

[Jimmy Brush]

OBAFGKM_RNS@yahoo.com wrote:
> Thank you all for the help. I will look into some 3rd party backup
> programs. Jimmy Brush mentioned using Windows Complete PC Backup, but
> I read that it was only available on "Professional" versions of Vista,
> and not the "Home editions". I looked for it, but could only find
> options to use a basic backup of documents, and not the operating
> system and software. The HP computer that I bought came with 0 disks,
> and Best Buy told me that their "Geek Squad" creates backup disks for
> Vista... for a fee. Amazing that they couldn't make my life easier,
> and just throw in the disks, for a computer that cost me over $1,000.
>
> On Jul 9, 10:40 pm, Jimmy Brush <j...@mvps.org> wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> You can use Windows Complete PC Backup.
>>
>> - Click start
>> - Type: backup
>> - click backup and restore center when it appears
>> - click "back up computer"
>> - follow the instructions
>>
>> --
>> -JB
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
>> Windows Vista Support FAQ -http://www.jimmah.com/vista/
>
>

Sorry, I didn't realize that it wasn't included in the home editions.

Are you sure there is not a repair partition on your computer? Some
computers allow you to press a certain key sequence while they start
that will allow you to "reset" your computer to the way it was when you
first got it. If so, then you would just need to backup your documents
and settings.

I would be really be shocked if a new computer purchase didn't come with
a restore disk or anything.

--
-JB
Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
Windows Vista Support FAQ - http://www.jimmah.com/vista/

 

[Steve]

"peter" <peter@nowhere.net> wrote:
>I found that Using Acronis True Image and an External HD works extremely
>well.I image the HD inside the computer to the External HD every week.

One problem with imaging software is that it's so seldom (if ever)
used for restore that you may not have the foggiest idea what to do
when you actually need it. Haven't used Acronis, perhaps it's more
user-friendly...


--

The most important tool of the scientist is the wastebasket.

....Albert Einstein

 

[Steve]

Jimmy Brush <jb@mvps.org> wrote:
>Are you sure there is not a repair partition on your computer? Some
>computers allow you to press a certain key sequence while they start
>that will allow you to "reset" your computer to the way it was when you
>first got it. If so, then you would just need to backup your documents
>and settings.

And then reinstall a few dozen programs and try to figure out where
their settings were stored...


--

The most important tool of the scientist is the wastebasket.

....Albert Einstein

 

[Jerry Grabill]

I Use Norton Ghost. Works fine.

"Steve" <dbn@whc.inv> wrote in message
news:1a8693h6444altjua0bn9j0l5547e0qopi@4ax.com...
> "peter" <peter@nowhere.net> wrote:
>>I found that Using Acronis True Image and an External HD works extremely
>>well.I image the HD inside the computer to the External HD every week.
>
> One problem with imaging software is that it's so seldom (if ever)
> used for restore that you may not have the foggiest idea what to do
> when you actually need it. Haven't used Acronis, perhaps it's more
> user-friendly...
>
>
> --
>
> The most important tool of the scientist is the wastebasket.
>
> ...Albert Einstein

 

[Adam Albright]

On Mon, 9 Jul 2007 23:21:21 -0500, The Sand
<The.Sand.2thmw6@no-mx.forums.net> wrote:

>
>Well I'd rather do the "right thing" but I'm not sure what that is. You
>say, "If you make a regular image of your root partition if something
>goes wrong that will restore your system to the state it was in as of
>when you made the image file." Okay... If you do that then you wouldn't
>need the operating sytem cd would you??? Don't get all mean I'm just
>trying to understand. Since a crash did recenlty happen to me I'm also
>trying to figure out back up myself.

You should have both. Having a full install DVD is "insurance" in case
any image you made for whatever reason got corrupted. Without an
install DVD you would have no way to reinstall Windows if you ever
needed to. I think it is a damn shame that any company sells a pre
built computer without giving the customer a DVD with the OS on it.

 

[OBAFGKM_RNS@yahoo.com]

Jimmy, there is a separate partition called "restore" on the HD. I
know that should work in most cases. The problem would arise if that
partition, or the whole HD got corrupted or died. This is what just
happened to my old computer. The hard drive went and I lost
everything. I did find a way to do a one time recovery disk creation
last night. They state that you are only allowed to do it once. It
would be really convenient to do it whenever I want, but either
Microsoft or HP does not want that.

Maybe, computers shipping with no disks is a new direction
manufacturers are taking. When something goes wrong with the OS or
software, you will have to pay to get it fixed, instead of fixing it
yourself. And of course, it cuts down on making illegal copies.


On Jul 10, 1:46 am, Jimmy Brush <j...@mvps.org> wrote:

> Sorry, I didn't realize that it wasn't included in the home editions.
>
> Are you sure there is not a repair partition on your computer? Some
> computers allow you to press a certain key sequence while they start
> that will allow you to "reset" your computer to the way it was when you
> first got it. If so, then you would just need to backup your documents
> and settings.
>
> I would be really be shocked if a new computer purchase didn't come with
> a restore disk or anything.
>
> --
> -JB
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
> Windows Vista Support FAQ -http://www.jimmah.com/vista/

 

[AJR]

Most OEMs provide a utility to copy the restore partition to removeable
media (CD/DVD) and to remove the partition. When the restore parttion is
created, the MBR is modified to display the "Hit F11... " or similar message
to restore the computer. Manually deleting the partition does not remove
the modification

<OBAFGKM_RNS@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1184089305.404654.239040@d55g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> Jimmy, there is a separate partition called "restore" on the HD. I
> know that should work in most cases. The problem would arise if that
> partition, or the whole HD got corrupted or died. This is what just
> happened to my old computer. The hard drive went and I lost
> everything. I did find a way to do a one time recovery disk creation
> last night. They state that you are only allowed to do it once. It
> would be really convenient to do it whenever I want, but either
> Microsoft or HP does not want that.
>
> Maybe, computers shipping with no disks is a new direction
> manufacturers are taking. When something goes wrong with the OS or
> software, you will have to pay to get it fixed, instead of fixing it
> yourself. And of course, it cuts down on making illegal copies.
>
>
> On Jul 10, 1:46 am, Jimmy Brush <j...@mvps.org> wrote:
>
>> Sorry, I didn't realize that it wasn't included in the home editions.
>>
>> Are you sure there is not a repair partition on your computer? Some
>> computers allow you to press a certain key sequence while they start
>> that will allow you to "reset" your computer to the way it was when you
>> first got it. If so, then you would just need to backup your documents
>> and settings.
>>
>> I would be really be shocked if a new computer purchase didn't come with
>> a restore disk or anything.
>>
>> --
>> -JB
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
>> Windows Vista Support FAQ -http://www.jimmah.com/vista/
>
>

 

[Leo]

RTFM

--
Leo

It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end-to-end,
someone would be stupid enough to try to pass them.



"Steve" <dbn@whc.inv> wrote in message
news:1a8693h6444altjua0bn9j0l5547e0qopi@4ax.com...
> "peter" <peter@nowhere.net> wrote:
>>I found that Using Acronis True Image and an External HD works extremely
>>well.I image the HD inside the computer to the External HD every week.
>
> One problem with imaging software is that it's so seldom (if ever)
> used for restore that you may not have the foggiest idea what to do
> when you actually need it. Haven't used Acronis, perhaps it's more
> user-friendly...
>
>
> --
>
> The most important tool of the scientist is the wastebasket.
>
> ...Albert Einstein

 

[The Sand]

After reading all this I'm just more confused than ever and the problem
wih that is you end up doing... nothing. I looked and Acer (my
Notebook) has an option to "Back up full configuration and files" to the
D drive or burn it to CD. It would take about 20GB of space - now I
would want it on disc I guess as I have had my hard drive physically
"melt" and wasn't able to restore or recover anything - for obvious
reasons. But if I burned that to discs I imagine it would be a lot of
discs.. and then do you keep that up every week - just "adding" to it
whatever you did that week??? But I also have Norton 360 which backs up
all my pictures, music and fies. What about that them - do I need that
as well??? I also, (yes there is more) have my music backed up directly
from iTunes itself and my pictures from Picasa itself. I mean how much
"back fricken up" do I really need??? As I said, I recenlty wen through
a crash where Windows Vista got corrupted and restore (safe or
otherwise) didn't work. I'm just wondering if I had indeed done the
"Acer full backup configuration and files backup" would I have gotten
around a 6 hour tech help call to Microsoft (and God bless them - they
were really nice and helpful.) I'm just trying to find out what I
"really" need and what I don't when it comes to back up.


--
The Sand

 

[peter]

You want to back up what you need the most...what you dont want or cannot
afford to lose...whats irreplacable........I gues that does make
it...everything!!I
I would suggest an external HD and Acronis True Image..............
peter
"The Sand" <The.Sand.2tj530@no-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
news:The.Sand.2tj530@no-mx.forums.net...
>
> After reading all this I'm just more confused than ever and the problem
> wih that is you end up doing... nothing. I looked and Acer (my
> Notebook) has an option to "Back up full configuration and files" to the
> D drive or burn it to CD. It would take about 20GB of space - now I
> would want it on disc I guess as I have had my hard drive physically
> "melt" and wasn't able to restore or recover anything - for obvious
> reasons. But if I burned that to discs I imagine it would be a lot of
> discs.. and then do you keep that up every week - just "adding" to it
> whatever you did that week??? But I also have Norton 360 which backs up
> all my pictures, music and fies. What about that them - do I need that
> as well??? I also, (yes there is more) have my music backed up directly
> from iTunes itself and my pictures from Picasa itself. I mean how much
> "back fricken up" do I really need??? As I said, I recenlty wen through
> a crash where Windows Vista got corrupted and restore (safe or
> otherwise) didn't work. I'm just wondering if I had indeed done the
> "Acer full backup configuration and files backup" would I have gotten
> around a 6 hour tech help call to Microsoft (and God bless them - they
> were really nice and helpful.) I'm just trying to find out what I
> "really" need and what I don't when it comes to back up.
>
>
> --
> The Sand

 

[The Sand]

Thanks for your advice Peter. I checked out the Acronis program (as it
has been mentioned more than once) and it goes for about $40 - external
hard drives for for about $140. It sounds like that is ALL you would
need in regard to back up. That it would do "everything." But is it
difficult??? I bought Adobe Photoshop once and literally couldn't figure
it out... it's still sitting on my desktop as I roll with Picasa. It was
an expensive mistake and I don't ever want to buy another program I
can't figure out how to use. Also... can I use that external hard drive
to back up more than one computer??? The bottom line - if I had Acronis
which backed my stuff up to some external hard drive - when my sytem
recently crahesd would I have been able to "use" it? Or are there times
when even that's not possible. Just want to make sure I don't lay out a
bunch of money and end up in the same place ya know... Thanks - all
advise is great...


--
The Sand