Windows 7: D: Factory_Image solution...

For anyone that is interested
I just went thru this with HP Support...they were extremely helpful and covered more than one problem for me. I was very impressed.
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The don't recommend deleting the image and it really isn't necessary to do.
Now I have a lot of free space there and if necessary I can delete anytime I wish and not worry about out of space errors again. Fix it before the drive is full.

I have that 1st set of instructions on PDF - if anyone is interested.
The instructions didn't get me to the location I needed.

So they gave me a 2nd set of step-by-step instructions which I copy/past here.

Towards the end I became a little confused looking for 'organize' tab (upper left of screen) I have very little experience at troubleshooting. So what do you expect.
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I am using an HP Pavilion Win 7 64 bit computer
I might assume that the other HP computers would have the same settings.
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I succeeded in cleaning out my 'D: Factory Image' partition.
But, I had use HPs alternative step-by-step instructions
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2nd set of instructions
In order to resolve this issue please perform the steps that are mentioned below:

1. Click on start and then computer.

2. Select D ; drive and open it.

3. Select “Organize”.

4. Click on “Folder and search options”.

5. Click on “View” tab.

6. Put a checkmark next to “show hidden files and folders”.

7. Uncheck box beside options “hide extension for known file types”, “Hide protected operating system files”.

8. Click on apply and ok.

9. Now please select “Preload” and press “Shift+Del” to remove this.

10. It should resolve the issue.
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Good luck
strum101...

It is not until one reads a fair way down that the issue you are trying to solve is mentioned.

Looks like you are posting an answer to no question.

What do you meanWhere is this "preload" option.

Hi...

The 1st thing I did with Windows Explorer, was to open D:Factory_Image and left it open. There was a warning message and no files were visible.
After I went to TOOLS>FOLDER OPTIONS...>VIEW. I unchecked 'hide extensions' and unchecked 'Hide protected operating system files'

I then saw in the opened D:Factory_Image, about 14 files become visible.
Within those visible files is one called "Preload"
I then highlighted/selected this file, ten pressed SHIFT + DEL - this 'Preload' file/folder disappeared.

I then,went back and put back in folder options/View, the checkmark on 'Hide protected operating system files'

I followed the instructions exactly and all turned out as HP Support said. Now my D:Factory Image has only the needed original backup files.
Sincerely
strum101

------------------copy/paste again------------------------------------------
I might have placed a comment while going thru my usual state of computer confusion, in my previous copy/paste here. Below is the exact instructions.
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In order to resolve this issue please perform the steps that are mentioned below:

1. Click on start and then computer.

2. Select D ; drive and open it.

3. Select “Organize”.

4. Click on “Folder and search options”.

5. Click on “View” tab.

6. Put a checkmark next to “show hidden files and folders”.

7. Uncheck box beside options “hide extension for known file
types”, “Hide protected operating system files”.

8. Click on apply and ok.

9. Now please select “Preload” and press “Shift+Del” to remove this.

10. It should resolve the issue.

Thank you that is clearer.

Do you know what that preload file was for?

Maybe one of our advanced members has an HP machine and will have a dig around in the recov partition to see.

If you haven't I'd make my HP Recovery disks now to see if that partition still works. HP Factory Recovery

Most tech enthusiasts don't run the HP factory preinstall anyway since it has the worst load or preinstalled sponsor's crapware and useless duplicate factory utilties in the industry. Read over these steps to get a superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

At the minimum I'd Clean Up Factory Bloatware to improve performance of an OS which doesn't need all that junk larded onto it.

hi...I made a backup copy of 3 DVD disks when I got the computer.
I believe I read that I'm only allowed to make only one backup set. I was denied on that 2nd attempt.

I can make as many HP recovery RE disks. I get this request every time I do a Windows system image backup on another drive.

I have never tested any of my backups - I'd hate to find out I'd have to spend another2-3 hours to another. If there was a way without going thru a full restore - ok. I did a lot of system cones using an Acronis boot disk - 2007 or 2009. Never had a problem. I did several drive changes. I never bothered to restore...just switch drives. It was easier then. This new computer is a bit different. I have an HP CD/DVD burner I'd like to put in. But I have no idea since it is an IDE burner. I just can't find the time to learn how to do these things. I'm now using those old IDE drives for USB backups for this new computer. Though I do have a question about drive size and clones and images at a later time. I only use 350GBs in a 750GB drive.
I suppose it would be alright to use a 500GB drive for backup then. I have a 1TB with 2 450 partitions - I should be able to do either a clone or image backup that will be able to restore. I believe I did a Windows backup restore and work on that 1TB drive.

I just recently made a Macrium Reflect PE boot CD,because I was influenced abut the better a DOS Boot (referring to Ghost 2003) on my old XP.
I like the way Macrium PE worked - its operation. I would like to have a few Images and one drive for making a clone. I don't know anything about Macrium...I listened to the recommendations in this Forum.

I really don't know hardly anything about computers troubleshooting. I just listen to what several others have to say.

I have no knowledge regarding D: Factory Image. I only know its supposed provide the original Windows 7 files and folders. The files I saw in there when I made the system operating files visible, had no idea regarding any of them. Somebody else will have to tell me what is in there. I just did what I suppose to do and got out.

I'm sorry for going into a general conversation about troubleshooting and backups. I don't know very much and have wanted to ask a lot of questions. Maybe many might be considered trivial from those more advanced.

I just ran out of time...sincerely with appreciation...
strum101

You certainly touched on a lot of sujects although I am not certain for which answers you are looking. Let me try to answer one point very quickly.
The factory image on D is exactly what the name says - it is an image of the OS at the level that it was installed at the factory. You can use it to reinstall your system at exactly that level.

If the factory installation of the OS was a while ago (e.g. your PC is already a few years old), a reinstallation will trigger an update of the OS with all updates and possible SPs since that time. That is a real pain and can take quite some time to process.

Therefore we recommend frequent imaging. Then you can pick a much later state of the OS thus avoiding all those updates (that were already done) plus you save all the program installations you have done since plus all the data you might have on the OS partition.

The only point I would make is: DO NOT USE WINDOWS IMAGING !! Too many problems can happen with that. Use Macrium which I find to be the easiest, fastest and most reliable option.

hi...whs
thanks for that reply.
I wasn't sure about the Windows image being influenced by many criticisms.
I was drawn to the Macrium PE after reading the many compliments.
Thanks...
strum101

On my computer the preload is a directory that contains a file called base.wim which is the factory image file.
Hope this helps.

TJG

So how does deleting the factory image help your Recovery partition. It sounds useless now. You can probably delete it to recover the space. Let's see what SIW2 says.