Anything Forums

I just got a new computer and it does not have much on it. Just a few games and some other stuff. I'm not happy with where my computer was heading and felt that i might have a few virus that norton won't pick up and i don't feel like removing them by myself and along with tthat i want a clean computer. ( i love the new feel).

I read the article and i have a question. When i first got my computer it asked that i back up everything. I used a few CDR disks to do this. Can i use them to clean install??

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28800

Is there anything you want to backup on it? If it was given I would assume not unless the previous owners want anything off it. You could use CD-Rs if the files to be backed up are smaller then 700MB or an external drive.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28801

Yeah I've been wondering that too, If i were to "image" my computer onto a DVD or CD-R would it include the OS? Also what programs are everyone using for imaging?

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28802

Hmm well i came across this...i got it with the computer. Its a little booklet that tells you about system resporation. IT reads

Restoring the hard drive from the recovery disks.

To restore system software from the recovery disk
1) insert the recovery disk #1 into the CD or DVD drive
2) Restart the computer, then press and hold R when prompted to display the restore process options. The Options menu apprears.

3) Selete a restore point option:
Press R to boot from the hard drive recovery partition or CD. If no recovery partition is found, go to step 4.

Press F to format the hard drive and perform a full sytem recovery, then go to step 5.

4. Click a sytem restore option. For more information, see restoration options on page 5.

5. Follow on screen instructions to complete the stytem restoration process.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28803

travis wrote: Yeah I've been wondering that too, If i were to "image" my computer onto a DVD or CD-R would it include the OS? Also what programs are everyone using for imaging?

I remember when i first booted up the computer it asked that i back up everything on a disk. My computer didn't come with a windows XP disk or anything..so i'm assuming that the recovery disk acts as one.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28804

Hmm you definatly want to get the OS disc if you are clean installing, that and all the drivers. That's the thing with a used computer, usually the previous owner won't have or give you all the discs to reinstall.

For doing a complete image, that wont work if you're changing hardware, as the OS is "built" for THAT computer. Sometimes it will still work though, so you can try it, if it BSODs then you know you have to install everything back.

But if you have a data partition (which is what I strongly recomend) then you can image that no problem and just reinstall the OS on the C drive.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28805

The entire process confuses the hell out of me. This is a brand new pc with XP pre-installed. So i have no disk just the backup. THe directions say to use the recovery disk to restore the computer to its state when i did the back up. Will a system restore essentially do the same thing?

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28813

You still need the CD though. Try to get an XP CD from someone and then from there you'll be good.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28815

Is this machine a HP or Compaq? I think Sony does it too. The restoration disks include the OS and all the drivers and also all the third party software crap that they put on your computer. Thats what we had to order for my sisters Compaq they dont give you an OS disk when you buy the freaking computer. Then when you want to reinstall because of a virus or spyware or something of that sort you have to order the disks! That is crazy when they should give you the disks with your computer.

And if it is one of those listed above from my experience, it does have the OS and all the drivers on it. But make sure it has the OS first I dont want you to format yoru computer and have no OS.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28818

Yep, and bad part is, it's actually illegal, I don't know how they get away with it. I'm not a anti piracy nazi, but to me big corporations should still follow the rules and give the OS with the PC rather then installing it with a single disc and keeping it.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28819

I KNOW WHAT KIND OF CRAP IS THAT!!! Thats what your paying for a lot of times, thats why if you get a factory built machine always go with a cheaper brand, same parts, so it doesnt matter, like I know Acer and Systemax give you your XP instalation disk. But Dell stopped a few months ago.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28830

Yeah, really that's where they save money too, they don't pay 200 bucks per PC for the OS, like we must legally do. I can't believe it but you can get a decent dell computer for like 200 bucks. A Dell server will start at around 1,000, and this is a xeon with scsi drives I'm talking about, my server at home costed me more to build, and is not as high end, but it's plenty of power for my needs. Not like 100's of people access it at once, it's basically just me.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28833

its just wrong. Now i have a brand new pc, no windows disk, no drivers disk or whatever. Nothing. Computers acting funny - i might have a virus and i just want to start over. No one wants to spend hours cleaning the virur out. BUT no disk and i'm .

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28862

Do you have another PC? I think the only way is that you *clears throat* obtain a copy of windows and go from there.

I did not just imply you to... you know what... but it's an option.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28864

HA it worked. I used the recovery disks and it worked just like a clean install.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28873

Good to hear!

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28874

Glad to hear that it worked joe!

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28876

Thanks. Having a clean install is nice, so pure, so virgin.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28877

Red Squirrel wrote: Yeah, really that's where they save money too, they don't pay 200 bucks per PC for the OS, like we must legally do. I can't believe it but you can get a decent dell computer for like 200 bucks. A Dell server will start at around 1,000, and this is a xeon with scsi drives I'm talking about, my server at home costed me more to build, and is not as high end, but it's plenty of power for my needs. Not like 100's of people access it at once, it's basically just me.

Dell used to be the best because they would give you the OS disk and then a seperate disk for your drivers. Now to save money they don't do it anymore. They offer their computers soo cheap but I want the OS I paid for!!!!!!!!

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3540, old post ID:28879