XP on Partition: Toshiba Satellite

But if it's on an external drive and your computer doesn't boot, how do you get it to restore?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7
OS
Windows 7

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 Pro x64Intel Core i5 7400 @ 3.00GHz8GB 2133Mhz DDR4 (OEM supplied)Gygabyte Windforce GTX 1050Ti (Factory Overcl...
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Medion Erazer (note to self: insert model number) - with custom additions
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64
CPU
Intel Core i5 7400 @ 3.00GHz
Motherboard
OEM supllied with PC
Memory
8GB 2133Mhz DDR4 (OEM supplied)
Graphics Card(s)
Gygabyte Windforce GTX 1050Ti (Factory Overclocked)
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer Al1980 + HKC
Screen Resolution
1360*768(HKC) / 1280*1024(Acer)
Hard Drives
1TB Toshiba
1TB WD Caviar Green
120GB Samsung Evo 840
PSU
OEM supplied (no power rating on case)
Case
OEM Supplied
Cooling
Stock
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless
Mouse
Logitect Wireless
Internet Speed
40Mb/s Down 10Mb/s Up
Antivirus
Defender
Browser
Firefox
I'm not sure I understand how an operating system can fit onto a 4.7Gb restore disk when an image is 30Gb.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7
OS
Windows 7
I'm not sure I understand how an operating system can fit onto a 4.7Gb restore disk when an image is 30Gb.

The Restore Disk is not Windows. It is Windows Recovery Environment, which allows you to restore your Image.

The actual Windows disk is 3.0GB because it is very compressed into Install.wim
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 Pro x64Intel Core i5 7400 @ 3.00GHz8GB 2133Mhz DDR4 (OEM supplied)Gygabyte Windforce GTX 1050Ti (Factory Overcl...
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Medion Erazer (note to self: insert model number) - with custom additions
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64
CPU
Intel Core i5 7400 @ 3.00GHz
Motherboard
OEM supllied with PC
Memory
8GB 2133Mhz DDR4 (OEM supplied)
Graphics Card(s)
Gygabyte Windforce GTX 1050Ti (Factory Overclocked)
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer Al1980 + HKC
Screen Resolution
1360*768(HKC) / 1280*1024(Acer)
Hard Drives
1TB Toshiba
1TB WD Caviar Green
120GB Samsung Evo 840
PSU
OEM supplied (no power rating on case)
Case
OEM Supplied
Cooling
Stock
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless
Mouse
Logitect Wireless
Internet Speed
40Mb/s Down 10Mb/s Up
Antivirus
Defender
Browser
Firefox
So I have created a Repair Disk from the Control Panel. It's on one DVD. Does that mean I can effectively format my C: drive, and boot from the disc and get Windows back?
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7
OS
Windows 7
So I have created a Repair Disk from the Control Panel. It's on one DVD. Does that mean I can effectively format my C: drive, and boot from the disc and get Windows back?



If this is the one you're referring to no, that's just good for doing a startup repair to Windows, it won't install Windows.


System Repair Disc - Create
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

W 7 64-bit UltimateIntel Q9550 Yorkfield8GB Dominator 8500C5DATI : XFX 5870
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
* BFK Customs *
OS
W 7 64-bit Ultimate
CPU
Intel Q9550 Yorkfield
Motherboard
ASUS P5Q Pro
Memory
8GB Dominator 8500C5D
Graphics Card(s)
ATI : XFX 5870
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio 7-1
Monitor(s) Displays
1x 47" LCD HDMI & 3x 26" LCD HDMI
Screen Resolution
1920x1080P & 1920x1200
Hard Drives
1x 80GB Intel X25-M G2 SSD : 1x 500GB & 1x 640GB WD Caviar Black(s)
PSU
Corsair 620HX
Case
Cooler Master RC-690
Cooling
Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
Keyboard
Microsoft 500
Mouse
Razer Diamondback 3G
Internet Speed
14 Mb/s
Other Info
1x Koutech 3Gb/s SATA HDD Hot Swap Rack
So if I create a system image on an external drive, then I can reinstall Windows from a completely empty system using the repair disc and the image? Can Windows recovery environment load an external drive to get the image?
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7
OS
Windows 7
Well, I'm telling you guys because I think you genuinely care, but I'm about ready to give up and try again sometime down the road. I'll just backup my files to an external and if I losw Windows, I'll just buy a new one like Bill wants me to.

I created a Repair Disc and created an image on my external hard drive. Then I tested by restarting the computer with the Repair Disc. It started the Restore Wizard, but ejected my disc and said something like "put in repair media." So I tried it again and it ejected it.

I'll keep reading if you guys keep talking, but I'm growing weary of my difficulty grasping this.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7
OS
Windows 7
This thread is so jumbled it would be helpful if you tell us exactly where you are right now.

It seemed that during your attempts to install XP, you lost the ability to boot Win7 if I am reading correctly. This is why you were linked to the Win7 Repair CD so you could boot it to run Startup Repair. We would work with you on this single task until it was complete if this was your problem.

However almost immediately there was confusion over whether you might instead make a Recovery DVD from the factory Recovery partition, or a completely different Win7 backup image - both of which can only be made from within Win7, and hardly relate to installing XP in a dual boot using the tutorial I linked in the beginning.

I understand your frustration with not being given a Recovery DVD to reinstall your OS, but most makers require you to make it yourself off of the Recovery partition, or mail it to you for cost. At one point you seemed to be doing this, confusing me as to whether you can or cannot start Win7.

So this is why I ask you where you are right now exactly. If you can't start Win7, then the procedure is to boot the Repair CD to run Startup Repair: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

Boot the Win7 Repair CD, let it find the installation to repair (a good sign) and run any offered repair. If it won't start then boot back in, click through to Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 seprate times with reboots until it starts. If it won't start, use the CD Command line to mark Win7 active first: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71432-partition-mark-active.html then run Startup Repair again x3. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S

If WIn7 still won't start, we next need to help you run the Recovery partition. Look for the key on the first boot screen to run Recovery. Had you posted your Specs we could tell you what that key is. You migth need to look in your Manual located at the maker's Support Downloads webpage for your model.

If Recovery partition will not run, then use free Paragon Rescue CD to copy out your files, after first attempting to Recover the Win7 partition. You can also browse the Recovery partition's files to find the image file which it runs to reimage your HD, which Paragon will mount and run to reimage your HD for you - we can help you do this. SIW2 is an expert on this. We will help you through the steps.

Finally, you never have to buy another Win7 to reinstall when you own a license on that machine which has its Product Key on the COA sticker on side or bottom of machine (under battery in Dell). You can either call your maker to have them send you Recovery disks, or if you can locate any Win7 installer we can help you unlock your version in it to install with your Product Key.
 
This thread is so jumbled it would be helpful if you tell us exactly where you are right now.

Fair enough. Here we go.

It seemed that during your attempts to install XP, you lost the ability to boot Win7 if I am reading correctly.

I did try to install XP on a partition, and it did fail, but it didn't affect my 7 installation.

This is why you were linked to the Win7 Repair CD so you could boot it to run Startup Repair. We would work with you on this single task until it was complete if this was your problem.

I understood that in order to run XP and 7 on the same machine, you need to somehow install XP first and restore 7 afterward.

However almost immediately there was confusion over whether you might instead make a Recovery DVD from the factory Recovery partition, or a completely different Win7 backup image - both of which can only be made from within Win7, and hardly relate to installing XP in a dual boot using the tutorial I linked in the beginning.

I thought all I needed to restore the entire 7 OS from a wiped hard drive was a recovery DVD. It seems that a recovery DVD can repair a damaged installation, but if you mess up so bad that Windows won't boot and you need to format a drive and start over, you need an image for the restore DVD to restore.

(At this point, my image is 30GB. Could there be that much bloatware and garbage on my computer thanks to Toshiba and Office Depot? I'm told Windows 7 can fit on a 4.7GB DVD.)


So this is why I ask you where you are right now exactly.

I can start Windows 7 and at the moment, I have to run with it without getting too risky. If I want to experiment with it at all, it will have to wait.

Finally, you never have to buy another Win7 to reinstall when you own a license on that machine which has its Product Key on the COA sticker on side or bottom of machine (under battery in Dell). You can either call your maker to have them send you Recovery disks, or if you can locate any Win7 installer we can help you unlock your version in it to install with your Product Key.

I like the sound of that. How big is Windows 7 really? Microsoft doesn't have a Windows 7 download, as far as I can tell, without buying it. If nothing else, I think it would be smart to have an out-of-the-box copy of Windows 7. If I ever need to wipe the hard drive and start over, it would be handy. Would that do it?

Once I'm in the clear with my current project, I might want to wipe the OS and install 7 in a state that's even before Toshiba and Office Depot got their hands on it.

Thanks you and everyone for your help.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7
OS
Windows 7
Most tech enthusiasts borrow or locate a clean copy DVD of Win7 which is around 2.34 gb. You can even unlock all versions in any other version installer. This allows you to clean reinstall to overcome bloatware which can be corrupting even when uninstalling it.

In the meantime, you can uninstall the bloatware using Revo Uninstaller in Advanced Mode to get all the hidden registry keys and files. Uncheck all the freeloaders on your startup besides AV and gadgets at msconfig>Startup. Clean and order the hard drive with free state-of-the-art CCLeaner and Auslogics defraggers.

Once you have it running as you like, save externally a Win7 Backup Image so you have something to recover to if your OS stops booting. It will also generate a Repair CD which you might need for repairs as well as to Reimage.

You might be confusing that Win7 Backup image which you create of your ideal install with the Recovery Disks which you can make off of the Recovery partition which restore the computer to factory condition with all the bloatware. It is a good idea to make those, too, in case you need to ship the computer back for warranty service. Makers tend to enforce bloatware and disapprove of clean installs (don't tell them) since they get most of their profit margin nowadays from the sponsors' bloatware.
 
Most tech enthusiasts borrow or locate a clean copy DVD of Win7 which is around 2.34 gb.

I did and I burned it to a DVD from an XP machine with Nero Lite. When I put it into my 7 laptop, it acts as if it's not burned.

Wonderful.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7
OS
Windows 7
Use ImgBurn to verify the DVD: Load ISO, then verify against DVD. If not, burn another at 4x speed.

Make sure ISO says "bootable" in text at left when loaded. If not, you do not have a good ISO file.

Are you attempting to boot the DVD? Does it prompt to "press any key to boot CD/DVD" when you start computer with DVD in drive? If not, enter BIOS setup to set DVD drive first to boot, or use the one-time BIOS Boot menu key given on first screen to boot DVD.
Boot from CD - How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD - Boot to CD
 
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