Recovery disk

[Chiumiento]

I Have just noticed this thing called recovery disk creation. Is that the same thing as either my repair disk or my back up disk. I tried to do it. But it said that there was no partition on my system. Is there anyway that I can do this I want to make sure my computer is completely safe if i can.

 

[whs]

The recovery disk is to be burnt from the recovery partition. But apparently you somehow lost that partition. The recovery disk is used for reinstalling your system or for system repair.

An alternate repair disk you can get here (Option 2): http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

For reinstallation, I suggest you make an image: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I

 

[Chiumiento]

I have a brand new computer. How would I lose my partition. My computer is maybe 2 weeks old.
To do imaging. Can I do it onto a CD?

 

[Lemur]

This is what the recovery disk can do for you:

 

[whs]

Well, I only concluded that from what you said.

But it said that there was no partition on my system

But check in Computer whether there is a recovery partition (usually D).

For imaging you should have an external disk. But it is possible to make images on DVDs (not CDs). Depending on the size of the data on your C, it will take 2 or 3 DVDs. Figure about 8GBs of the data (not the size of the partition) on C will fit on one DVD.
But you may want to image more frequently as you go. That's why we always recommend to do it to external disks. If you want to study a full blown imaging strategy, read this tut I have made on the matter: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/128494-imaging-strategies.html

 

[Chiumiento]

Well, I only concluded that from what you said.

But it said that there was no partition on my system

But check in Computer whether there is a recovery partition (usually D).

For imaging you should have an external disk. But it is possible to make images on DVDs (not CDs). Depending on the size of the data on your C, it will take 2 or 3 DVDs. Figure about 8GBs of the data (not the size of the partition) on C will fit on one DVD.
But you may want to image more frequently as you go. That's why we always recommend to do it to external disks. If you want to study a full blown imaging strategy, read this tut I have made on the matter: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/128494-imaging-strategies.html

I see I have it locked. i will unlock it. then try it.

 

[Chiumiento]

I got it to work. But now I need non rewritable disks

 

[mjf]

I got it to work. But now I need non rewritable disks

R/W DVDs tend to be less stable over time than non R/W.
When you say you "unlocked" something I'm not sure what that meant. Just make sure you are making the factory recovery disks and use a quality brand you've found good in the past.
* Factory recovery disks - used to restore the PC to the state you bought it in.
(store them away for safe keeping)
* Normal image recovery - Made from images you make from time to time using the inbuilt windows imaging and maybe another for safety in case one fails (Macrium - WHS refers to is good). This returns your computer to the state it was when you made the image (snap shot). It includes all your programs ....everything. You don't want to go all the way back to the factory condition unless you need to. Use an external HDD (not your main HDD) for to store these images. DVDs are not a good idea for this.

 

[IownAmoneyPit]

When you do make your recovery disks keep in mind that you can only make one set and keep them in a safe place as they will return your computer to factory condition and are a fail safe should imaging fail . Also do not interrupt the recovery disc process for any reason by cancelling the process or shutting down the computer.

There is also complete information on making recovery disks on the support & drivers page for your model and the link should be in one of the HP folders or through the help button which should contain an HP page with helpful links and the 3rd option would be to also look in any HP folders for any user manuals.

 

[Chiumiento]

I got it to work. But now I need non rewritable disks

When you say you "unlocked" something I'm not sure what that meant.

what I meant was I unlocked my recovery drive. I used bitlocker. It locks my recovery drive so no one can get into it unless they have the password. I think that is what is it for.

 

[severedsolo]

I got it to work. But now I need non rewritable disks

When you say you "unlocked" something I'm not sure what that meant.

what I meant was I unlocked my recovery drive. I used bitlocker. It locks my recovery drive so no one can get into it unless they have the password. I think that is what is it for.

If im understanding you correctly, you have locked your Recovery partition (which will reinstall Windows should you ever need it to) with Bitlocker?

This is a Bad Idea (with capital letters!)

Should you ever need to actually boot into that partition because your Windows becomes unusable, your PC will be unable to read it due to it being encrypted. (which is the point of bitlocker) The only way that partition can be accessed is through Windows. (or the fake windows that the install disk creates)

Do yourself a favour and unlock it, it will only cause you trouble. There really is no reason to protect it with Bitlocker anyway, it's not like it has anything on it that anyone with access to a Windows 7 disk doesn't already have.

 

[whs]

When you say you "unlocked" something I'm not sure what that meant.

what I meant was I unlocked my recovery drive. I used bitlocker. It locks my recovery drive so no one can get into it unless they have the password. I think that is what is it for.

If im understanding you correctly, you have locked your Recovery partition (which will reinstall Windows should you ever need it to) with Bitlocker?

This is a Bad Idea (with capital letters!)

Should you ever need to actually boot into that partition because your Windows becomes unusable, your PC will be unable to read it due to it being encrypted. (which is the point of bitlocker) The only way that partition can be accessed is through Windows. (or the fake windows that the install disk creates)

Do yourself a favour and unlock it, it will only cause you trouble. There really is no reason to protect it with Bitlocker anyway, it's not like it has anything on it that anyone with access to a Windows 7 disk doesn't already have.

+1, absolutely right

 

[gregrocker]

Factory Win7 Diskography

if Win7 becomes unbootable, boot the Repair CD (made in Win7 Backup Center) to try to Repair it using Startup Repair, System Restore, Recover using an Image Backup, etc.

If Win7 is irreparable, copy out your files and Run the Recovery Partition which is more stable than the Recovery disks. Only if it fails should you run the Disks you make.

If HD fails, run the Recovery Disks on the replacement HD.

Backup a Win7 System Image after you have everything set up as you like. You can use this in place of Recovery partition since it will return everything to your favored configuration in about twenty minutes.

And on top of all of this, many tech enthusiasts find a clean copy DVD of their version of Win7 to clean reinstall using the Product Key on COA sticker. This is because most factory installs are loaded with so much sponsored bloatware and useless factory utilities (with much better versions built into Win7) that a clean reinstall using the Win7 DVD gives you a computer that is better than new. Here are some tips based on doing hundreds of these: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

 

[Chiumiento]

How do I get a clean Windows 7 disk?

 

[gregrocker]

The best way is to borrow one from a friend - any version will do - extract the ISO from DVD using ImgBurn, run the ei.cfg Removal Tool to unlock all versions, then burn to DVD using ImgBurn: Ei.cfg Removal Utility Lets You Use Any Product Key With Your Windows 7 Disc

If you download one from the web be sure to rightclick scan with your AV, then check the HASH against the official Win7 HASH to make sure nothing was added or subtracted.

 

[Chiumiento]

What is hash? And how exactly do I check it and why. Is there a guide that has been writing out for this. I would like to read it. If not can I have one sent to me or wrote on here for everyone. That would be great.

 

[severedsolo]

Here is a simple article; What is the MD5 hash?
and a more indepth one: What is MD5 Hash and How to Use it?

Basically, its like a fingerprint. Every file has a different hash. When downloading something, if you can check the hash is the same as the known hash of the file your downloading, you know its the right file. Otherwise you might end up with a virused up system.

 

[gregrocker]

Click the blue links in my post to get the tool to check HASH and a list of the official Win7 HASHes.