Customized Recovery Partition Image

[N A Malik]

Hi

My purpose is to create the image of the customized recovery partition, I mean i need all settings and user applications (not the factory) and then want to deploy on machines using F11.
Can someone let me know if its possible? If yes, how i can do this for Windows 7 ?
Regards
Malik

 

[richc46]

Hi

My purpose is to create the image of the customized recovery partition, I mean i need all settings and user applications (not the factory) and then want to deploy on machines using F11.
Can someone let me know if its possible? If yes, how i can do this for Windows 7 ?
Regards
Malik

You can make a copy of any partition, save on a DVD and use as needed.

 

[N A Malik]

Hi

But i mentioned my purpose is to have the recory works like factory recory form BIOS. F11.

 

[gregrocker]

This is available as a bootable "capsule" on some high-end cloning softwares like Paragon Partition Manager 2009. Other backup images can be booted by setting active.

Easier free method is to save Win7 Backup image to a primary partition, then either use the DVD or add WinRE to your bootmanager.

If you have the 100mb System Reserved partition sometimes installed with Win7 you already have the Repair console (and "Recover Using an Image") available at F8.

 

[N A Malik]

Hi

Thxs for your reply but could you explain the solution for me a little bit ? So i can have a better understanding from ur idea and then i can try to test that isn a lab envirnemnt

 

[Tepid]

If you are talking about creating a custom backup image from recovery partition of an OEM PC?

You can't. It has to be recreated. And OEM's put all their junk in the images, even on CD/DVD.
You can't actually remove it, unless maybe something like Vlite,,, maybe. But you would need the CD/DVD first. the Vlite method is a complicated process that could not be answered in a simple post.

Most OEM PC's have software in the OS to create a backup of the recovery partition on CD/DVD which can not be customized.

If you are talking about creating one, then Paragon may have a wizard to walk you through the process and I know Acronis does. But, you will need a NON-OEM Disk. Dell, HP, Toshiba etc. will not work as those are Big OEM manufacturers which will include all their garbage.

You would need to use a System Builder OEM disk, but your existing License Key probably won't work with it.

If you are talking about volume licensing and deploying to numerous PC's across a company?
You need to seek further assistance through your colleagues and Microsoft.

Again, This (imo) goes beyond a simple post to explain the full process.

And yes, this can be done with Windows 7 also.

 

[gregrocker]

Create a new primary partition in Disk management, save a Win7 Backup image there.

Now boot into the Win7 DVD or repair CD (which Backup app will make for you) and select Recover using an Image and cue up the stored image to make sure it is ready to reimage the HD or a replacement.

Done.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
the standard method of doing this is to use the "Winpe" (Windows Pre-installation Environment).

You can build an image using this and then set up an "unattended install" for deploying it to your target machines. This is what OEM's do.

Note you'll need either a corporate license for "multiple Windows activations" or a valid key for each Windows image you want to deploy.

Here's some good info

Walkthrough: Create a Custom Windows PE Image

Note that Windows PE version 3 is slightly different

Documentation here

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...35-4190-4D7C-B193-19123141EDAA&displaylang=en


Cheers
jimbo

 

[N A Malik]

Hi

Thank you for your reply. Ok for the moment lets assume it works, then will i able to deploye the iamge using BIOS function ? I mean i want to run this by pressing F11 and OS recovery should started.

Waiting for valuable answer/

 

[N A Malik]

If you are talking about creating a custom backup image from recovery partition of an OEM PC?

You can't. It has to be recreated. And OEM's put all their junk in the images, even on CD/DVD.
You can't actually remove it, unless maybe something like Vlite,,, maybe. But you would need the CD/DVD first. the Vlite method is a complicated process that could not be answered in a simple post.

Most OEM PC's have software in the OS to create a backup of the recovery partition on CD/DVD which can not be customized.

If you are talking about creating one, then Paragon may have a wizard to walk you through the process and I know Acronis does. But, you will need a NON-OEM Disk. Dell, HP, Toshiba etc. will not work as those are Big OEM manufacturers which will include all their garbage.

You would need to use a System Builder OEM disk, but your existing License Key probably won't work with it.

If you are talking about volume licensing and deploying to numerous PC's across a company?
You need to seek further assistance through your colleagues and Microsoft.

Again, This (imo) goes beyond a simple post to explain the full process.

And yes, this can be done with Windows 7 also.

------------------------------------------------------
Hi

Thank you for showing interest i=towards my problem.
Well i try to explain again what i want to do exactly.
Suppose i got Windows 7 PC, i have installed all the necessary application, applied changes and modifications etc. Now i try to create the image (this image should not be the one as Recovey Partition since its factory, in case i need all the customizations.) Once customized image is created i want to use this with BIOS F11 so it behaves like OEM

 

[gregrocker]

You cannot use Factory restore if you clean reinstall Win7. The recovery partition will be disabled by the new installation. Make the recovery disks to keep in case you ever want to factory restore for resale, or as is sometimes required for hardware replacement under warranty.

Instead save a Win7 backup image to a primary partition which can be used to reimage the HD by booting from the Win7 DVD or a repair CD you can make in the backup center.

If you want to have this available using a F-key, then wipe the HD before installing Win7 and it will assign a 100mb boot/repair partition which will make the Recovery tools available at F8 during bootup. Select "Recover using an Image" to trigger reinstall of the Backup image you have stored in a primary formatted partition, or in the root of an external drive.

 

[Tepid]

Once customized image is created i want to use this with BIOS F11 so it behaves like OEM

.

F11 is a special function and really can't be modified in the way you want. It is very complicated and technical, I had researched it once upon a time, but have lost interest in it.
However,, you can start here and also here if you wish to learn more about it.
This is old info,, and may not apply exactly the same as 7 booting differently.
This should set you in a direction that may help you find info for doing it using 7.
Or that info may still apply, but I do not know.

You would have to wipe out that existing recovery partition and recreate it using something like Acronis Secure Zone. However,,, you can try creating a secure zone and see if the Recovery Partition is still available, but most likely it will not be.

 

[madmansam]

I used Paragon to create a recovery capsul saved right at the end of my HDD and when I back up my system I just save it to the capsul and if disaster happen ..start power on pc and you get choice to start from capsul by pressing F1.. It worked with me twice so far .. hope that made sense .

 

[gregrocker]

I see that Bootable Capsule on Paragon Hard Disk Manager 2009.

Think I'll try it on my laptop I take on trips.

So if the HD fails, can I reimage a replacement from an external backup using Paragon disk?

 

[Tepid]

I see that on Paragon Hard Disk Manager 2009.

Think I'll try it on my laptop I take on trips.

So if the HD fails, can I reimage a replacement from an external backup using Paragon disk?

Yes.

But, I have not used Paragon, I am assuming it has similar functions to Acronis, otherwise what good is it.

 

[SIW2]

Yes, exactly, Greg.

The onboard bootable capsule is handy and will do the job for most scenarios.

Obviously, if the HD fails, you need to have an external image to restore to another drive.

I see that on Paragon Hard Disk Manager 2009.

Think I'll try it on my laptop I take on trips.

So if the HD fails, can I reimage a replacement from an external backup using Paragon disk?

 

[whs]

If you were not insisting on wanting to push F11, the deal would be dead simple. Take an image (preferably to an external disk) but a partition on an internal drive would do too. Then you can pull that in any time you like. You can use Acronis, Paragon, Norton Ghost - but I recommend Macrium because it is the easiest and does not cost a penny ( http://www.sevenforums.com/software/43219-image-your-system-free-macrium.html )