with no O/S disk and W7 offering to create a backup disk, I used their facility to do so. the files on it are, USER-OOO-PC -- autorun.inf -- MediaID.bin -- restore.ico. My question is, what have i got here? Are the contents just a copy of the current files (I use an USB drive to do this), can I get up and running if this thing crashes (or similar), has it got special files that would normally be found on an O/S disk? Can you offer an explanation please?
What kind of backup disk did you do? A repair disk, or A system image? A system image would be the best option.
A system image restores everything exactly like the way it was when it was taken up. Although this would not fit on a disk, so most likely you created a repair disk.
A repair disk allows you to fix some issues with windows 7 starting up and also allows you to do a system restore point when the computer refuses to start.
More information here:
Backup User and System Files
System Image Recovery
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...sked-questions
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...em-repair-disc
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...m-image-backup
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...up-and-restore
The disk helps to repair certain instances of files that are missing that would prevent windows from starting. One of the features is startup repair.
In any case, I would read the links I have provided in entirety, and while a repair disk is nice to have, a system image is even better. I would make a full backup using windows backup. (System image)
The links will explain everything in more detail. I would take the time to read them, unless you never store anything important on your computer that you don't mind losing.
Thanks Andrew, took your advice re system image, I remembered doing multiple discs on the old floppy drive so tried that, seemed to work, took 3 DVD-RWs over about 6 hrs but completed the task - any thoughts on that? otherwise I'll take it as successful and store them safely - think the old floppies went in last first and down to the first??? - thanks for your help
Remember to create a System Repair CD/DVD (make a couple for safety). In addition to the repair functions they are generally essential to restore a system image. You boot the CD and select the restore system image option. You should really be storing your system images on an external USB HDD.
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