Restore recovery partition

[StormTrooper]

just another question!

i format my desktop and i accidentally format the RECOVERY drive how will i put recovery drive again?

 

[Barman58]

Without the software used by the original creators of the recovery partition, the OEM supplier, this will be difficult if not impossible.

there are however 3rd party tools which can create a restore system - Paragon software for example have have included what they call the restore capsule into their top of the range backup systems for windows for some time.

This adds an option to access and restore from a hidden system partition, previously created, by the press of a function key on boot of the system or from a special boot disk.

 

[StormTrooper]

Without the software used by the original creators of the recovery partition, the OEM supplier, this will be difficult if not impossible.

there are however 3rd party tools which can create a restore system - Paragon software for example have have included what they call the restore capsule into their top of the range backup systems for windows for some time.

This adds an option to access and restore from a hidden system partition, previously created, by the press of a function key on boot of the system or from a special boot disk.

so how will i do that so that i have a recovery drive back again?

 

[MilesAhead]

Unless you are will to reset everything to the way it came out of the box, you are better off to buy an external USB drive and use a program like this:

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

You can save an image of your Windows partition, or any other.. and if it gets hosed, you boot the Linux Recovery CD and restore from the external drive.

They just updated this free version so the Linux Recovery CD is the same as the latest paid version of Macrium. Should work for most systems, but you can ask on Macrium Forum if you have any questions. See the web site in the link for links to the Macrium Forum.

 

[harpua]

just another question!

i format my desktop and i accidentally format the RECOVERY drive how will i put recovery drive again?

What you need to do is get a back up and recovery app (unless you want to use the one built into win 7) and create a new back up image of your entire complete current system. This will become your new "recovery drive." So first get your system installed and running just the way you want it. Then choose your back up app and read the help therein to learn how to use it and create your new back up image, preferably to some external drive or media so that if your current drive fails, you will not also lose your back up image. You also create a "bootable rescue disk" from the back up app. This rescue disk allows you to boot from it, if your system won't start and then you can reinstall your back up image from your external drive or media.

I use Acronis True Image Home for this purpose. This app costs some money but it is very good and easy to use. There are other free apps and windows itself has a built in app called windows backup, that you can use. There probably is a tutorial on how to use windows backup in the tutorial section of this site.

You're going to have to do a little studying of the help files of whatever app you choose to really learn the details but it is not difficult.

 

[SIW2]

just another question!

i format my desktop and i accidentally format the RECOVERY drive how will i put recovery drive again?

You deleted it, or you reformatted it ?

D/L this - burn to cd with an isoburner ( don't format the cd ) - then boot the cd you just made.

Partition Wizard Bootable CD allows user to boot computer directly to manage partition.

View attachment 29734

Click DISK1 at the top , and in the left pane , select Partition Recovery.

Do a quick scan on the area where your manufacturer recovery partition was.

When it has finished the scan - you must tick all the partitions you want to keep, then click Apply.

EDIT : It is also a good idea to make your own image backups of the drive - this is similar to what is in the recovery partition - but it is an exact image of your current installation - with all your data, installed programs, settings, updates, etc.

Make a new one every so often - if you get into trouble - restore that image instead of the one in the manufacturer partition - it is very quick and easy . I make an image every week.

Macrium Reflect Free version has already been suggested - it is excellent.

You will need to store the image you make somewhere - an external HD is safest - but another partiton on your internal HD is better than nothing.

 

[SofTones]

Recovery partition is the FIRST thing to go when you get a new computer... it takes up GIGS of room, and you don't need it... Install all your goodies, then run Ghost11 from a USB stick, and make an image of your C partition ( also, use DeepFreeze, and get rid of the HUMUngous anti-crap software...

 

[StormTrooper]

Recovery partition is the FIRST thing to go when you get a new computer... it takes up GIGS of room, and you don't need it... Install all your goodies, then run Ghost11 from a USB stick, and make an image of your C partition ( also, use DeepFreeze, and get rid of the HUMUngous anti-crap software...

so recovery partition is not important?

 

[Barman58]

The recovery partition may or may not be important - it depends if you need it at any time.

If you create some alternate method of recovering your system either by purchasing software such as Ghost or another of the widely available alternatives or use the native windows tools included with the OS or a free alternative then it becomes un-needed.

The important thing is that you have some method of desater recovery in place before the worst happens

 

[theog]

Hi kupaiski

If you have recovery DVD's,then not so important.

If you DO NOT have recovery DVD's, then very important.

 

[StormTrooper]

Hi kupaiski

If you have recovery DVD's,then not so important.

If you DO NOT have recovery DVD's, then very important.

i have recovery dvds with me

 

[Barman58]

OK you are safe to the extent that you can restore the system to the state it was when you first switched on.

Remember that any changes that you have made since this time plus any of your personal data - Music, photos, documents, music, etc. are not protected so will need to be considered separately for a full
recovery solution

 

[SIW2]

Hi kupalski,

1. You need some way or restoring the operating system.

2. It can be done with the recovery cd's but:

a) they will take you back to the factory state - you will need to reconfigure, update and reinstall all your programs. You could lose any data you had not backed up separately.

b) You may not have the cd's with you when you need them - or they may get lost/damaged.

c) The recovery partition would provide a faster restore to factory state.

2. There are a variety of programs ( free versions , too) that will let you make your own image of the drive. It will be up to date if you make a new one regularly. Much better to use that more recent image to restore from.

An excellent free one is Macrium Reflect:

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

 

[noyb]

You could make a backup "Image" of the C partition ..
Then recover the computer using the Dell Recovery CDs ...
This will restore the recovery partition and the C partition back to factory new.
Then you can replace just the C partition from the backup Image.

I'm not sure if Macrium can restore individual Partitions .. I use Acronis
But since I can "Image" my HD ... I've removed my HP recovery partitions a long time ago.

 

[SIW2]

I'm not sure if Macrium can restore individual Partitions

It does - that is the whole point of it.

Back up and restore any partition/combination - the smallest , fastest, most efficient in the industry.

Always worked perfectly for me - every o/s, including various beta builds I tried it on..

The Free version also allows mounting to extract individual files , and scheduling.

Then recover the computer using the Dell Recovery CDs ...
This will restore the recovery partition and the C partition back to factory new.

LOL - only just noticed he has a Dell. I have Dell dvd - it doesn't reconstruct the recovery partition - unless his is different, of course. The one I have is an installation dvd -with some extra Dell proprietary stuff added - it is not an image. I think Dell are unusual in doing that.

 

[chuckr]

I'm not sure if Macrium can restore individual Partitions

It does - that is the whole point of it.

Back up and restore any partition/combination - the smallest , fastest, most efficient in the industry.

Always worked perfectly for me - every o/s, including various beta builds I tried it on..

The Free version also allows mounting to extract individual files , and scheduling.

Then recover the computer using the Dell Recovery CDs ...
This will restore the recovery partition and the C partition back to factory new.

Are you sure about that? I have Dell dvd - it doesn't reconstruct the recovery partition - unless his is different, of course. The one I have is an installation dvd -with some extra Dell proprietary stuff added - it is not an image. I think Dell are unusual in doing that.

I'll second that, with my Gateway XP Pro MCE "Recovery" DVD.

Even tho I checked the 'Save my data' box,
he took the liberty of reformatting the entire HDD, wiping out my other bootable partitions, and gave me a "Factory new" C: drive.

No recovery partition, which was ~4 GB FAT32 --- gone.

Just one C: drive, 250 gigs worth.
Which was good:
Nice and clean, pure factory install, no DL sw updates.
Just SP2...

 

[Dave76]

Hi kupaiski

If you have recovery DVD's,then not so important.

If you DO NOT have recovery DVD's, then very important.

i have recovery dvds with me

The Dell recovery partition is notoriously hard to re-install if it has been removed. Then quite often they don't work, original or restored. Mine has been deleted and I have used a couple of the backup and restore programs mentioned here. They work very well and saves a lot of time.

With the restore partition you will get the hard drive just like it was delivered. You will need to install updates, drivers, programs, and restore your personal files. If you use a backup and restore program, restore your last backup and your done, just like it was last week or your last backup (should be weekly at minimum). I like to get a backup image after all drivers, updates, programs, personal files are installed/added, wait several days to be sure it's running well. Then activate and get a backup image and keep it for a replacement for the restore partition. This will give you a fresh fully functional OS in close to original state.

So it's several hours versus 20 to 30 minutes.

It's best to keep your backup images on a separate physical hard drive or storage media. External hard drives work well for this, but can be put on large USB stick or DVDs depending on their size.

I can confirm this:

only just noticed he has a Dell. I have Dell dvd - it doesn't reconstruct the recovery partition - unless his is different, of course

The Dell dvd doesn't restore the recovery partition.

 

[MilesAhead]

Recovery partition is the FIRST thing to go when you get a new computer... it takes up GIGS of room, and you don't need it... Install all your goodies, then run Ghost11 from a USB stick, and make an image of your C partition ( also, use DeepFreeze, and get rid of the HUMUngous anti-crap software...

That's the first time I heard of DeepFreeze. I went to the site. It looks kind of interesting like if you are going to set up a machine for somebody not computer savvy(they aren't going to be tweaking it every day like I am) and just lock in the config. Does it differ from Returnil type strategy and does it support 64 bit?

 

[SofTones]

I have used DeepFreeze ever since it first came out, I "tweak" and install/uninstall continuously, and it doesn't cause me any inconvenience.. It differs from ALL other stuff similar, in it's size, it's ease of use and it's performance... ( you'd think I have shares in the company ???) I have NO idea if it supports 64Bit, but they say it is NOT compatible with 7, well I have it running like a Swiss watch in 7, and dumped all the anti-virus, Win Defender, Firewall and associated BLOATware, NEVER had a virus, don't know what they are !!!! MAY have had one, but after reboot... all back to day one.. even have a Ghost image of C drive when I make any big change...

 

[SofTones]

Your recovery partition will only recover your system back to where it was when it left the factory... what about all the much-needed goodies you've burdened the HDD with, all that crap you simply CAN'T do without ??? poor you... you need to find it ALL again, then go through the many hours of reinstalling it, and the nail-biting when you can't run it, 'cause you forgot where you got the drivers from... ah me..... been there, done it, got the degree, teeshirt, etc: PHEW, no more of that for me thanx ... a Ghost image of the C drive, after getting rid of the recovery crap partition, and DeepFreeze ( to hold my hand and make me feel comfortable...)