New
#1
reinstallation with no optical drive
I presently have a 6 year old Dell X300 running XP, it has been a good machine but is getting 'tired' and I am looking at getting something new.
The type of machines I am looking at like a HP Pavilion dm1 or a Lenovo Thinkpad X100/ 120 (new) running windows 7 of course. They do not come up a optical drive.
So my question is what happens in the case of a HD failure?
With the X300 I have reloaded windows on to the new HD using the CD drive and recovery disks provided.
But in 2011 what is the way of being prepared for a HD failure with machines that have no optical drive and no windows 7 supplied reinstallation cds/dvds?
Is there way of doing it thru a USB flask drive? is that the answer?
Does something need to be done after purchase of the new computer to make preparation for the possibility of needing to reinstall on to a new HD in the event of HD failure?
thanks
John