Directions for backup up computer on external full format and restore.

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  1. Posts : 48
    windows 7 pro 32 bit
       #1

    Directions for backup up computer on external full format and restore.


    I want my computer to be fully cleaned but I want to make sure I love none of my data.

    I want to make sure the computer is completely clean before I start putting things back.

    Is there a step by step set of directions to do this?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,980
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello Jon, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    Please update your system specs so we know if you are using a OEM (store bought) computer with a factory recovery partition, or if you built the computer yourself using a retail copy of Windows 7.

    It will depend on what you have for what you may be able to do without losing everything. :)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 48
    windows 7 pro 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks Brink,

    Updated as much as I know how on the system specs area.

    It is OEM software. My fear is losing something I had forgotten about. There are things on the computer I use only once in awhile but need. I do a search to find them.

    Dell Latitude E 6410 i5 cpu 2.40hz 4 gig ram Windows 7 32-bit.

    I will add a little about what is happening to help better understand why I want to do this.

    I am running my laptop in a docking station using two monitors and a wireless keyboard.

    I picked up a virus that turned off my security and I think damaged the software.

    I can type as long as I use the laptops keyboard. If I touch the wireless keyboard neither keyboard works unless I reboot. I also keep running into if I try and open a web page it will save instead of open. It seems there is a collection of annoying thing going on and I don't trust I will get these things fixed.

    I have a forum that is 100% of my living but I am not any form of IT person. I am struggling trying to do anything that I need to be doing on my forum at this time.

    I will update my computer information in my profile now.

    Please ask if any more info is needed.

    I bought a Western Digital my My Book Essentials 2 TB external hard drive to use in fixing this computer.
    Last edited by Brink; 10 Sep 2011 at 15:47. Reason: merged
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,980
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #4

    Jon,

    I would recommend that you create a bootable USB or DVD with Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper to use to scan your system with at boot to help make sure that your system is clean.

    Afterwards, manually backup anything (ex: files) that you do not want to lose to the external HDD.

    Since you have a OEM computer, you will only be able to do a factory recovery to have Windows 7 back like it was when the computer was new out of the box. Afterwards, reinstall any programs since then, and copy your backed up files back.

    For a Dell computer, the link below from Dell can help show you how to do a factory recovery/restore.

    Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings | Dell

    Hope this helps. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 48
    windows 7 pro 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks,

    No problem going back to factory, I have all the application disks and the Dell Windows 7 disk.

    I can't remember if there was another disk or not.

    Headed out to get a blank DVD
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,980
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #6

    Nar, you usually only have two recovery discs. One for applications & drivers, and the other for Windows 7.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 48
    windows 7 pro 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Brink said:
    Nar, you usually only have two recovery discs. One for applications & drivers, and the other for Windows 7.
    Thanks,

    I need to go dig around for the applications and drivers disk.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 71,980
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #8

    jonsidneyb said:
    No problem going back to factory, I have all the application disks and the Dell Windows 7 disk....

    It may not be named that exactly, but it sounds like it may be the applications disks that you mentioned.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 48
    windows 7 pro 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    I only have one disk at the moment.

    It says reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Professional 32-Bit.
    This DVD is not for the reinstallation of programs or drivers.

    Can I get everything I need here and make my own disk?

    Drivers & Downloads

    What is a recovery partition. Wonders if I have one.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7,730
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
       #10

    Just to confirm you should have two discs with your Dell computer.

    1. A green-coloured reinstallation DVD to re-install your operating system.

    2. A grey-coloured drivers and utilties DVD to re-install any drivers and other utilities.

    Any other drivers you are short of or that need updating can be downloaded from Dell Support.

    Just put your Dell Service Tag in the search field and you'll be presented with every driver for your computer.

    jonsidneyb said:
    What is a recovery partition. Wonders if I have one.
    The recovery partition will be around 12 Gb in size and contains a factory image from which you can restore your Dell to its out-of-box state when you first bought the computer.

    It does exactly the same job as the set of recovery discs you may or may not have created, but a lot quicker.
      My Computer


 
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