Windows 7: backing up restoring computer fresh install Just fast question

I have some issues I can't fix no matter what I do the main one being freezing, update errors and random restarts on top of lots of issues being reported in windows.

Nothing horrible but enough to bother me...

The straw to break the back will be this..

If I back up my computer (how do I do this) and then do a fresh factory install can I use the back up cds to put everything back on my computer? including programs (just wondering) Also will it put back my desktop and all that? or is this to much to hope in which case if I factory restore with saving all my info and it goes to a back up folder will it include programs or just files? Also will it all be usable or am I better off copying files to a flash drive or dvd cds?



Im just curious im super lazy I doubt I will do this but ... Clearly my computer won't play ball its going stay way it is unless I do this or just send it back and hope toshiba fixes it (which I know they wouldn't it has be windows error)

I been debating this for awhile now I honestly think some program or tweak or something must of really messed up a windows setting or maybe a power loss during update messed it up and I want some basic info before I even begain to think about doing this. I was also thinking of trying linux out but I think no matter what I need windows...

Just if I do reinstall I want it to be worth it also windows repair doesn't work ran it 10 times trying fix issue I don't get it it just keep updating same thing over and over

Back UP your personal files/Data. Pictures, Videos, Doc. any thing that is not a software. when your doing a factory install it should be like you bought it. How do you backup?? If you backup like this and then try to restore it won't do you any good. grab a USB stick and start coping your personal stuff and insert your factory Recovery DVD/CD and Restore your Computer.

See comments in bold

i guess i get mixed up clean install is downloading windows OEM from that website everyone keeps posting? The legit oem windows...

Factory reset is using the factory cds or using the preinstall backup installed on the hard drive (the one toshiba puts there) these are two different things right? and your saying clean install best?

You can get a clean install by downloading the ISO at mydigitallife.info. Activate it with your product key.

Yes, a factory reset uses the recovery partition on the hard drive OR the recovery CDs.

They are 2 different things.

A clean install gives you a fresh Windows, with nothing extra.

A factory reset gives you what your Toshiba had when you bought it: Windows, plus whatever other stuff Toshiba put on it.

Either may work OK for you.

You cannot do the factory reset unless you have the recovery partition or the recovery CDs.

I have 3partions


System 1.4gigs
Main drive (one I use) 500gigs
and hdd recovery 14gigs


now back up will back them all up or just main drive? also if I oem install windows do I delete them all or save recovery or save system and recovery?

is back up of the recovery drive? I want to have something in case this goes wrong

i may just factory reinstall windows. I mean the problem can't be with the orginal windows has be problem that came in later like from a bad update or something.... so trying make srue I do this right?

A factory reset using the "hdd recovery partition" or recovery CDs will restore all 3 partitions, since all 3 of those partitions were there from the factory.

A clean install of Windows will remove all partitions and create 2 new partitions: C for Windows and System Reserved.

Your problem may be a Windows problem because of something you did after getting the PC. Or you could have a hardware problem of some kind.

If you do a clean install, you will no longer be able to do a factory reset UNLESS you contact Toshiba and buy recovery CDs from them.

You may be able to make recovery CDs now from your recovery partition. The recovery partition and the recovery CDs have the same purpose. You don't need both of them.

To add to the above: the only difference between using a recovery partition as opposed to recovery discs is speed.

Using the recovery partition will recover your system to factory state far quicker than recovery discs will.

However, you should always create a set of recovery discs in case the recovery partition gets corrupted or damaged.

I get the difference now thanks

if i clean install windows oem then it won't have the toshiba drivers I need right?

instead just doing a factory reset.

just again making sure if im going do this I got all information first. Yes I have issues that A. Hardware (which I can't do much about)
b. WINDOWS malfunction which would be fixed if I clean install (though I don't like having to save data to disks sounds like pain in ass) not that I got much stuff anyway

Question though if I were to attempt this and doesn't work That would void warrenty correct?