About Windows 7 discs

[TOFU]

Hi there,
Just joined this forum.

Just a few questions.

When i got this computer (Acer), it is pre installed with windows 7 therefore i dont have the installer disc. What if i need to reformat my computer?

What's the difference between a system repair disc and recovery disc (The 3 disc i gotta create) ?
I need those 3 recovery disc for reformatting?

 

[richc46]

A system repair disc will repair the OS. EG. the original install DVD
Recovery disc is in the event that you cannot boot and to format.
If you check back shortly, I will be back with some documentation.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R

 

[TOFU]

In the event that i can't boot my desktop, which DVD i gotta boot up with? Because there are 3 Dvd's.
And how do i go about using them?
Because when i tried booting up with those discs, everything seems normal? Unless i go into the F8 mode and go Repair computer when booting up.

Million thanks!

 

[Prof Kerfuffle]

Hi, welcome to Seven Forums.
I did have an Acer laptop and it had software to create 2 system restore discs(Vista), the restore discs are disks with windows on but licensed to the acer computer itself and if your os ever fails you can reinstall it on the Acer.

The system restore disk is to repair windows itself if it fails to start up, e.g. your missing a start up file the diagnostics on the disc will load up and repair/replace the file.

So if you need to reformat your computer the recovery disc is there to allow you to reinstall windows back to the factory settings.

Hope this helps

 

[richc46]

Read this and the other tuts. Then come back with questions, if any.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

 

[Bill2]

1) The 3 recovery disks will restore your computer to the state it was in when you first unboxed it. OEM computers (branded ones like Acer, Dell etc. that come with win7 preloaded and preactivated) have a recovery partition which lets you do the same thing, however recovery disks are very handy when you cant boot into the OS or the recovery partition is corrupted. Just boot from the first disk, it'll do its thing then prompt you for the next and so on. Keep these disks safely.

2) A system repair disk is simply a disk that contains the system recovery options (such as startup repair, command prompt etc.) which are also available in the advanced boot menu. This disk would be about 120 mb in size and can also be downloaded from the Neosmart site. Remember this cannot be used to reinstall windows, it can only fix errors.

3) If you want to reformat your computer, you can use the 3 recovery disks. Alternatively you can borrow a win7 install dvd from a friend and do a clean install of the same edition your computer came with. To activate windows, you'll need to call MS.

 

[TOFU]

So a recovery disc act as the windows installation disc?

Okay here's a problem
I did not burn the recovery disc immediately when i just brought the computer. Will that affect anything?

 

[Bill2]

So a recovery disc act as the windows installation disc?

Okay here's a problem
I did not burn the recovery disc immediately when i just brought the computer. Will that affect anything?

Burn it NOW, and no it'll be the same as if you had burnt it immediately after purchase.

 

[Prof Kerfuffle]

In the event that i can't boot my desktop, which DVD i gotta boot up with? Because there are 3 Dvd's.
And how do i go about using them?
Because when i tried booting up with those discs, everything seems normal? Unless i go into the F8 mode and go Repair computer when booting up.

Million thanks!

You put disc 1 in that you made and when asked replace the discs in order "please insert disc 2" put the second disc you created ect.

To start the discs you need to change the boot sequence this usually can be done by pressing 'F12' just before the Acer logo disappears when the options, select CD-ROM (DVD-ROM) (the disc drive) and it should say booting off disc press enter when that or similar.

 

[pparks1]

You can make the recovery disks at any point you choose. Just don't choose to wait until the system is not working and you cannot make them.

Once you make them, if you later decide to use them...you have to tell your system to boot from cd/dvd and insert the first of the recovery disks. These disks will put your system back to the way that it was right from the factory. You won't have to answer many questions at all. it will be as if you just brought the computer home from the store. So, rather than just a reinstall of Windows...it's putting back Windows as well as every other thing that was installed and configured by Acer.

 

[TOFU]

Oh yes yes!
Thanks alot guys!

Dont mind if i just ask A FEW more questions ;p

What's the difference between creating a system image and creating a new, full back up?
My friend told me that it's wiser to back things up often. But the only way i can back things up is to a Dvd right?
And trust me, i do search the internet about all these queries but it fails me ):

 

[DeaconFrost]

If it was me, I would just get a full DVD from a friend, or various other sources...or try to buy one from Acer. Then, you can do a fresh install anytime you need to, using that disc. If you use the COA license key on the bottom of your computer, it will activate just fine. I've done this for 10+ family and friends, and never once had to call in an activation. I gave them all a copy of the full disc to keep.

 

[Prof Kerfuffle]

Oh yes yes!
Thanks alot guys!

Dont mind if i just ask A FEW more questions ;p

What's the difference between creating a system image and creating a new, full back up?
My friend told me that it's wiser to back things up often. But the only way i can back things up is to a Dvd right?
And trust me, i do search the internet about all these queries but it fails me ):

You can back up on anything that has a storage facility. I have my os backed up on my network drive and also have all my work files on there to keep it safe although it does have to be bigger than 5gb in size. Your friend is right, if you have work you don't want to loose back it up as he suggested.

 

[gregrocker]

Many tech enthusiasts find a clean-copy DVD of their OS version and reinstall using the OEM Product Key on the COA sticker on machine. Any installer can also have all versions unlocked using the ei.cfg removal tool. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html

Make your Recovery DIsks or save a Win7 backup image of the entire HD first so you have a path back to factory condition. Then wipe the HD of all code: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html before booting the Win7 installer to clean install: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device.

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/70248-troubleshooting-msconfig.html

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly. CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
Auslogics Disk Defrag - Reviews and free Auslogics Disk Defrag downloads at Download.com
Auslogics Registry Defrag - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Then save a Win7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement using DVD or Repair CD. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

 

[TOFU]

What you guys mean by clean-copy DVD of OS? Because i wasn't given the installer cd.

What if i back up on my D drive?
Will it be erase when i reformat my com?

Can i say that restoring the Windows back to the factory setting is as good as reformatting the com?

Thanks alot!

 

[brianzion]

hi and welcome to the forum
does the pc not have the acer recovery management system for you ? click the start menu orb and in search box type acer and see if a management program is in the results.

OR

Click “Start” menu.

Click “Programs.”

Click “Acer Recovery Management.”


Read more: How to Restore an Acer Computer to Factory Settings | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4478845_restore-acer-computer-factory-settings.html#ixzz13dUumIIA

if not go here

Service & Support

if you go to the website and look up SERVICE & SUPPORT and click on DRIVER DOWNLOAD and punch in your acer model number and look up APPLICATION
you should see software for your machine

 

[brianzion]

this is my Packard bell management software i am sure acer do it to considering they are part of the same company.

try here for the Acer eRecovery Management

Acer EMEA - Service & Support, Empowering Technology

Download Acer eRecovery Management 4.05.3003 - UpdateStar.com

 

[huffman]

You have been given a lot of good advice and I will throw in my two cents worth.

Always make your recover disks.

I am not sure the version of your Windows 7 will make images or not; that you can check. If it does have that capability, it works great at making images so that they can be restored in case of problems.

If it does NOT have that capability then I suggest an imaging software such as Acronis. I use Acronis simply because it seems a little faster than the built in imaging software.

Get yourself an external hard drive and create the image(s) to the external hard drive. Before creating the image, it is a good idea to make sure you are making the cleanest image possible by cleaning up your computer by deleting cookies, temporary internet files, History, remove all restore points except one, and defrag. One other note is the computer should be running without any issues when the image is made.

This assures that at any time you can go back to this image and have a good running system.

Hope this helps.

 

[mjf]

As an owner of an ACER desktop my summary suggestions (not radically different from the above):
1) Make the 2 Recovery DVDs as soon as possible. Technically it should not matter when, but ACER say straight away. These disks are essentially a copy of your hidden recovery partition on your hard drive (~8GB).
2) Read the tutorials about system images and backups.
3) Decide what trial software to keep and ditch the rest via uninstall. If you want to get rid of McAfee trial it's best to use the McAfee removal tool (MCPR).
4) If you have problems recover back to the factory state. Use the hidden partition:
Start>All programs>Acer>Acer eRecovery Management .....follow the bouncing ball. Just be patient when it starts recovery.
5) When you are happy the system is stable, install your applications
6) Make a system image (a couple would be better) to an external HDD.
7) You can do a clean install as per the Gregrocker advice at any stage but it will probably overwrite the recovery partition. At that stage I don't think it matters.