Hi Leo;
My computer came with a hidden partition (Acer Aspire desktop)that contained the setup disk, and I was able to copy this to make a setup DVD. I have used it several times, and it restores the computer to factory defaults including any and all drivers.
I think your writer might be a person who doesn't know much about the workings of a computer. Most computers today have a "recovery partition" which is the same as a CD or DVD, and in most cases can be copied to a DVD or CD for future use if needed.
I had to do this, as I had Mandriva and LILO or GRUB, and it overwrote the boot sector, and when I needed to reinstall Windows, I had to completely wipe the whole drive, including the hidden partition. The setup DVD I made came in handy!
The recovery partition, if it's present, is not guaranteed to have everything you need. There is no standard for what it should or should not contain. And of course it's useless if the hard drive dies or is replaced, since it's only on the original hard drive.
11-Nov-2009
Posted by: Alex Netherton at November 9, 2009 11:54 AM
Leo,
I plan on updating to Windows 7 (since I qualified for free upgrade), from Vista (new machne). My question is when I upgrade what happens to the recovery partition of my laptop? Does it get upgraded as well or do I just reformat it and free up the space? Other suggestions? Thanks, Lee
The recovery partition is not a part of Windows, and thus is not affected by your upgrade. You'll be left with a Windows Vista recovery partition on a Windows 7 machine - it's unlikely to work, or do what you want. The problem is that recovery partitions are provided by the manufacturer, not Windows, and there is no standard. In your shoes I would actually repartition the machine to remove the recovery partition and make the spec it takes up usable, and after installing Windows 7 take an image backup to use as a recovery point should it ever be needed.
13-Nov-2009
Posted by: Lee at November 10, 2009 8:22 AM
Ditto with the partition on HP. Although it's not hidden. It also strongly recommends to make your own set of startup disks.
Posted by: sirpaul at November 10, 2009 8:30 AM
The reinstall disks DO include the OS for your particular brand. I bought a PC recently that was a refurb with a new hard drive. It had XP Home preinstalled on it. But the original XP Pro sticker was still on it, so I ran the reinstall disc and was given the option to choose or make a partition. I split the 500GB drive in half, and XP Pro installed perfectly and passed validation with no problem. The program didn't even ask for a serial number. So reinstall disks are a very valuable tool. I have 3 of them and wouldn't take twice what I paid for them.
Just to clarify: not all reinstall disks include the OS. In fact most do not.
13-Nov-2009
Posted by: Charles Tilley at November 10, 2009 10:54 AM
A 4th, or should it be the 1st Option, when buying a new computer, is to take the time to Read The Friendly Manual (RTFM), to see if there is a way to BURN your own Windows Recovery disks. This was mentioned in a previous comment, but, I wanted to elaborate.
Some manufacturers DO "do it right", but as you stated, many don't. And, it's always the first thing the Help Desk asks when you tell them "your PC didn't come with disks".
The trick is:
To exercise this option right away, NOT when your hard drive decides to "go south". Most people don't RTFM, so your 3 recommendations are good to keep in mind, and are often the only choice left.
Just my 2 cents, and I love your newsletter, so keep up the good work.
Posted by: John Sturges at November 10, 2009 12:47 PM
I think those manufacturer is included the OEM Recovery into the HDD instead of Discs.
Well, the Recovery contain Boot MBR itself which allow Repairing/Reformating(restore to default factory) for the specific machine.
Posted by: Silver at November 10, 2009 2:56 PM
In my experience working with the major name brands: DELL the best, bar none, since for BUSINESS PCs (Latitudes, Precisions, Optiplexes) they will include the OS and Driver DVDs when you have them build your PC--for home versions you may need to ask for them. HP used to provide them but now use the Create your Recovery Disks software which usually pops up as soon as you first boot. HP will mail you discs pre-made, but it costs about $25. Toshiba usually includes the Recovery discs but will mail you copies for a similar fee. I always just get Dell PCs and laptops for my customers--finding drivers is so easy with the http:\\support.dell.com and service tag.
Ralph
http:\\ralph-altman.com
Posted by: Ralph at November 10, 2009 3:16 PM
Your defense of the terrible business practices of these companies has just lost you a reader.
Defense? If you say so. I've been fairly clear that I think manufacturer's should include the disks. But be that as it may, people need practical advice when they don't.
13-Nov-2009
Posted by: mm at November 10, 2009 3:32 PM
To the comment of "mm". I've been reading Leo's column for a while now and on a couple of occasions, he saved my butt. I'm a Dell user, so reinstall disks are no problem for me. But Leo's just telling you like it is, he is not defending anyone's business practices. This is America, so you can choose what you want to read or what sites you get advice from. Leo's runs a straight up column, and I'll be a reader as long as his column is here.
Posted by: Charles Tilley at November 10, 2009 7:49 PM
I am so thankful, that I build my own computers!!! Having the CD or DVD disks available, is NOT a problem. Plus, with me building my own computer, I have the disks or access to all the drivers of my components, that I chose, not someone else. When I fire up my 'new' computer, I don't have a lot of 'crapware', either, since I chose what I installed.
Now, having said all of that, I do recommend for those who don't know what to do with their computers, when they run into problems/troubles, to purchase a good computer from a reputable company, DELL or HP. Why those 2? I have found that I can access either website and find information on their products, when you are repairing or fixing issues/problems, even download all the drivers necessary.
Of course, first and foremost, you need to have the means to do a 'fresh', clean, full install, in case you have replace or re-format the hard drive. Don't have a Operating System disk? Buy one. I know that they are expensive, but, let's say you only paid $399, plus tax for a whole 'brand new' computer system, OK? Just looking at the price of Windows 7 CD/DVD disk, it is highly doubtful that you will get any kind of 'installation disk'. Otherwise, the cost of your 'brand new' computer would be more like $499 to $599.
Buying a computer brand is no different than buy a car. Check out ALL your options, before signing the 'dotted' line. You can chose all the 'high end' options or simply go for the basic essentials. Plus, a computer will give you just as good mileage, as a car can, when properly taken care of.
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Hi Leo;
My computer came with a hidden partition (Acer Aspire desktop)that contained the setup disk, and I was able to copy this to make a setup DVD. I have used it several times, and it restores the computer to factory defaults including any and all drivers.
I think your writer might be a person who doesn't know much about the workings of a computer. Most computers today have a "recovery partition" which is the same as a CD or DVD, and in most cases can be copied to a DVD or CD for future use if needed.
I had to do this, as I had Mandriva and LILO or GRUB, and it overwrote the boot sector, and when I needed to reinstall Windows, I had to completely wipe the whole drive, including the hidden partition. The setup DVD I made came in handy!
11-Nov-2009
Posted by: Alex Netherton at November 9, 2009 11:54 AM
Leo,
I plan on updating to Windows 7 (since I qualified for free upgrade), from Vista (new machne). My question is when I upgrade what happens to the recovery partition of my laptop? Does it get upgraded as well or do I just reformat it and free up the space? Other suggestions? Thanks, Lee
13-Nov-2009
Posted by: Lee at November 10, 2009 8:22 AM
Ditto with the partition on HP. Although it's not hidden. It also strongly recommends to make your own set of startup disks.
Posted by: sirpaul at November 10, 2009 8:30 AMThe reinstall disks DO include the OS for your particular brand. I bought a PC recently that was a refurb with a new hard drive. It had XP Home preinstalled on it. But the original XP Pro sticker was still on it, so I ran the reinstall disc and was given the option to choose or make a partition. I split the 500GB drive in half, and XP Pro installed perfectly and passed validation with no problem. The program didn't even ask for a serial number. So reinstall disks are a very valuable tool. I have 3 of them and wouldn't take twice what I paid for them.
13-Nov-2009
Posted by: Charles Tilley at November 10, 2009 10:54 AM
A 4th, or should it be the 1st Option, when buying a new computer, is to take the time to Read The Friendly Manual (RTFM), to see if there is a way to BURN your own Windows Recovery disks. This was mentioned in a previous comment, but, I wanted to elaborate.
Some manufacturers DO "do it right", but as you stated, many don't. And, it's always the first thing the Help Desk asks when you tell them "your PC didn't come with disks".
The trick is:
To exercise this option right away, NOT when your hard drive decides to "go south". Most people don't RTFM, so your 3 recommendations are good to keep in mind, and are often the only choice left.
Just my 2 cents, and I love your newsletter, so keep up the good work.
Posted by: John Sturges at November 10, 2009 12:47 PMI think those manufacturer is included the OEM Recovery into the HDD instead of Discs.
Posted by: Silver at November 10, 2009 2:56 PMWell, the Recovery contain Boot MBR itself which allow Repairing/Reformating(restore to default factory) for the specific machine.
In my experience working with the major name brands: DELL the best, bar none, since for BUSINESS PCs (Latitudes, Precisions, Optiplexes) they will include the OS and Driver DVDs when you have them build your PC--for home versions you may need to ask for them. HP used to provide them but now use the Create your Recovery Disks software which usually pops up as soon as you first boot. HP will mail you discs pre-made, but it costs about $25. Toshiba usually includes the Recovery discs but will mail you copies for a similar fee. I always just get Dell PCs and laptops for my customers--finding drivers is so easy with the http:\\support.dell.com and service tag.
Posted by: Ralph at November 10, 2009 3:16 PMRalph
http:\\ralph-altman.com
Your defense of the terrible business practices of these companies has just lost you a reader.
13-Nov-2009
Posted by: mm at November 10, 2009 3:32 PM
To the comment of "mm". I've been reading Leo's column for a while now and on a couple of occasions, he saved my butt. I'm a Dell user, so reinstall disks are no problem for me. But Leo's just telling you like it is, he is not defending anyone's business practices. This is America, so you can choose what you want to read or what sites you get advice from. Leo's runs a straight up column, and I'll be a reader as long as his column is here.
Posted by: Charles Tilley at November 10, 2009 7:49 PMI am so thankful, that I build my own computers!!! Having the CD or DVD disks available, is NOT a problem. Plus, with me building my own computer, I have the disks or access to all the drivers of my components, that I chose, not someone else. When I fire up my 'new' computer, I don't have a lot of 'crapware', either, since I chose what I installed.
Now, having said all of that, I do recommend for those who don't know what to do with their computers, when they run into problems/troubles, to purchase a good computer from a reputable company, DELL or HP. Why those 2? I have found that I can access either website and find information on their products, when you are repairing or fixing issues/problems, even download all the drivers necessary.
Of course, first and foremost, you need to have the means to do a 'fresh', clean, full install, in case you have replace or re-format the hard drive. Don't have a Operating System disk? Buy one. I know that they are expensive, but, let's say you only paid $399, plus tax for a whole 'brand new' computer system, OK? Just looking at the price of Windows 7 CD/DVD disk, it is highly doubtful that you will get any kind of 'installation disk'. Otherwise, the cost of your 'brand new' computer would be more like $499 to $599.
Buying a computer brand is no different than buy a car. Check out ALL your options, before signing the 'dotted' line. You can chose all the 'high end' options or simply go for the basic essentials. Plus, a computer will give you just as good mileage, as a car can, when properly taken care of.
Posted by: MmeMoxie at November 10, 2009 11:14 PMTo post a comment on "What do I do if my machine didn't include installation or driver disks?", please return to that article's main page.