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Warning to those with Windows restore CDs
I have just had to reinstall Windows XP Home edition on a E-machines PC and could NOT use backups. The E-machine like a number of other systems, Acer, Advent, Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, IBM, IT Works, NEC, Time, Tiny and Toshiba only provide Restore CD(s).
When used these restore Windows XP, but wipe the hard disk of any data or software that was installed or added after the initial factory installation, or any previous restore. This means a backup is not recorded on whatever backup software was used prior to the Restore. In addition you have no settings to use after the Restore for Outlook Express etc.
What you really need is COPY of everything that has been added after the system was started, My Documents in particular, plus a list of your settings, passwords and software key numbers kept as disk copy in a small database or the like.
I had to have data and downloaded software on my hard disk, prior to my Windows failure, professionally extracted onto CD and then added after the Restore and of course reinstall the other software for which I had the CD's. In the case of a failure of this nature the CD & DVD drives read but do not write and the hard disk has to be removed and copied elsewhere, at some considerable cost.
In the case of computer users with only Restore CD's, there must be quite a number out there, I would like to advocate NOT to backup but COPY regularly to a CD or DVD, it is easy enough with Windows XP. I also suggest that the system suppliers, listed above, take this into account and add something to their original instructions.
Tony Johnstone
If you are a regular reader of PCW you will be aware of the Linux operating system. One of the benifits of Linux is that there is the live versions of these that run from the cd. With very little knowledge you can access your windows files and save them to either your other cd/dvd drive or to a decent size memory card. This does not solve third party software, passwords etc but in my experience reinstalling these and re setting up internet/email accounts is no hardship and would have cost you nothing!!
Next issue you get, copy a version of linux live to a cd and keep it handy, Knoppix is generally considered one of the best for this.
Posted by steve saunders | November 11, 2005 10:03 PM
Why use a Recovery CD??
The simple solution is to partition your hard drive (using something like Partition Magic) and use the new partition for all of your data and then backup your operating system (my preference is Norton Ghost 3) to DVDs – You should also backup your data to DVD.
Better still back up your operating system to DVD (s) and to a hidden partition on your hard drive (preferably to a second hard drive – a safeguard, if your first hard drive fails).
I suggest that you make several DVD images of your operating system as you progressively, install new programs and drivers. By doing this you can return to a clean operating system at any stage, at any time. I find this much better than trying to restore the “Registry” from a backup, or trying to recover, using System Restore.
Backing up and restoring to/from a hidden partition usually takes less than 10 minutes, compared to 30 minutes, or more, for the same activities, using DVDs.
You may also wish to place the “Store Folder" of your e-mail account (Outlook Express") on your data partition – this will preserve your account details/messages when you restore your operating system. Similarly, you can place store folders for other programs, such as Anti Spyware programs, on your data partition
Think about the above - Every time you find a new elusive snag on your operating system, (possibly a virus), which you cannot get rid of by other means, all you have to do is restore a back up of your operating system - less than 10 minutes if you have saved it to a hidden partition (note you have to unhide the restored partition)
Posted by Brian | November 13, 2005 9:08 AM
I have just read your warning message about restore from a Recovery CD for XP Home Edition.I have an Advent and I have successfully backed up and restored all my information at least twice.I backed up my files etc and burned them onto a CD and then did a full restore from the recovery CD and then re-installed the files etc from the CD I burned earlier with no problems.I have also done at least one repair from the Recovery CD with no problems.
Posted by Iris Johnson | November 14, 2005 1:46 PM