Computer recovery discs
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Boise, ID
Computer recovery discs
Hey all:
I just bought an Acer laptop and it came with Windows Vista Home Premium (!). I really want to toss XP on there. But I have a bit of a conundrum.
I would like to be able to get Vista back on there in case I need to return the laptop or get warranty work done.
The laptop came with no media but there is an option to burn a recovery disc. It spans two DVDs. What I also have found out is there is a hidden partition on the drive that occupies 10GB which I assume is used to hold the OS in case of recovery.
Now my question is, if I create the recovery discs is it simply a matter of tossing one in the drive and reinstalling Vista? Or are they only useful if some element of Vista is left?
I don't intend on deleting the hidden partition. I simply want to install XP on the remaining disc space. But would it prompt to dual-boot?
In most cases this wouldn't even be an issue as I would simply reformat and install XP and not give it a second thought, but since it's a laptop and under warranty I want my bases covered.....even though I'm sure installing XP voids the warranty!
I just bought an Acer laptop and it came with Windows Vista Home Premium (!). I really want to toss XP on there. But I have a bit of a conundrum.
I would like to be able to get Vista back on there in case I need to return the laptop or get warranty work done.
The laptop came with no media but there is an option to burn a recovery disc. It spans two DVDs. What I also have found out is there is a hidden partition on the drive that occupies 10GB which I assume is used to hold the OS in case of recovery.
Now my question is, if I create the recovery discs is it simply a matter of tossing one in the drive and reinstalling Vista? Or are they only useful if some element of Vista is left?
I don't intend on deleting the hidden partition. I simply want to install XP on the remaining disc space. But would it prompt to dual-boot?
In most cases this wouldn't even be an issue as I would simply reformat and install XP and not give it a second thought, but since it's a laptop and under warranty I want my bases covered.....even though I'm sure installing XP voids the warranty!
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,379
Likes: 82
From: MA
Originally Posted by Caplax40
Hey all:
I just bought an Acer laptop and it came with Windows Vista Home Premium (!). I really want to toss XP on there. But I have a bit of a conundrum.
I would like to be able to get Vista back on there in case I need to return the laptop or get warranty work done.
The laptop came with no media but there is an option to burn a recovery disc. It spans two DVDs. What I also have found out is there is a hidden partition on the drive that occupies 10GB which I assume is used to hold the OS in case of recovery.
Now my question is, if I create the recovery discs is it simply a matter of tossing one in the drive and reinstalling Vista? Or are they only useful if some element of Vista is left?
I don't intend on deleting the hidden partition. I simply want to install XP on the remaining disc space. But would it prompt to dual-boot?
In most cases this wouldn't even be an issue as I would simply reformat and install XP and not give it a second thought, but since it's a laptop and under warranty I want my bases covered.....even though I'm sure installing XP voids the warranty!
I just bought an Acer laptop and it came with Windows Vista Home Premium (!). I really want to toss XP on there. But I have a bit of a conundrum.
I would like to be able to get Vista back on there in case I need to return the laptop or get warranty work done.
The laptop came with no media but there is an option to burn a recovery disc. It spans two DVDs. What I also have found out is there is a hidden partition on the drive that occupies 10GB which I assume is used to hold the OS in case of recovery.
Now my question is, if I create the recovery discs is it simply a matter of tossing one in the drive and reinstalling Vista? Or are they only useful if some element of Vista is left?
I don't intend on deleting the hidden partition. I simply want to install XP on the remaining disc space. But would it prompt to dual-boot?
In most cases this wouldn't even be an issue as I would simply reformat and install XP and not give it a second thought, but since it's a laptop and under warranty I want my bases covered.....even though I'm sure installing XP voids the warranty!
If you install XP you don't have to reinstall vista for warranty service.
Second the recovery discs that you create will only be used if the Hard Drive totally fails... The Recovery partition holds the same recovery info if the Hard Drive is still useable. Usually the Partition would be used to reinstall after a virus attack..
Vista has a built in recovery of its own for when a file gets changed and vista can't start..
If you leave the recovery partition and install XP on the HD it should not prompt for a dual boot as long as you reformat the vista partition.
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Boise, ID
So if I format the partition with Vista on it and not the hidden partition I should be in the clear?
Acer has a function built in to the BIOS I guess that if you hit Alt-F10 during boot up it will bring a menu for system recovery. I tried that and it did bring up a boot menu (I.E. Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, etc) and there was an option for a recovery of Vista. I selected that as an experiment and all it did was boot into Vista and stated that no recovery discs were found...
Acer has a function built in to the BIOS I guess that if you hit Alt-F10 during boot up it will bring a menu for system recovery. I tried that and it did bring up a boot menu (I.E. Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, etc) and there was an option for a recovery of Vista. I selected that as an experiment and all it did was boot into Vista and stated that no recovery discs were found...
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,379
Likes: 82
From: MA
Originally Posted by Caplax40
So if I format the partition with Vista on it and not the hidden partition I should be in the clear?
Acer has a function built in to the BIOS I guess that if you hit Alt-F10 during boot up it will bring a menu for system recovery. I tried that and it did bring up a boot menu (I.E. Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, etc) and there was an option for a recovery of Vista. I selected that as an experiment and all it did was boot into Vista and stated that no recovery discs were found...
Acer has a function built in to the BIOS I guess that if you hit Alt-F10 during boot up it will bring a menu for system recovery. I tried that and it did bring up a boot menu (I.E. Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, etc) and there was an option for a recovery of Vista. I selected that as an experiment and all it did was boot into Vista and stated that no recovery discs were found...
But if you have no intention of going back to vista I would remove the recovery partition...
As long as you make the recovery cd's you can always reinstall vista from there.
Why take up disk space with something that you are never going to use?
Another thing that you might want to do is get a brand new Hard Drive and install XP on that. They can be had for around $75.00..
This way if you want Vista you can just pop in the original HD and be on your way..
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 0
From: Des Plaines, Illinois
Well if he's running a notebook, 2.5" drives aren't as cheap as the 3.5" ones we're stuffing in desktops. Plus, opening the case WILL void the warranty for sure...and a lot of manufacters use super thin ribbon cables now for connections to the display and keyboard that are easy to break and essentially impossible to replace.
Personally, I'd see if Acer has a full set of drivers for XP available (I bet they do) and put them all on a CD/DVD and keep it handy. Even get ones you don't think you'll need if it's for your model. You don't want to load XP and find out that you don't have an ethernet adapter that works with the generic driver (pretty common these days). Then you'd have no net access to update what you do have. Best to have everything you need up front than try to struggle to get it later.
I'd load XP and be happy. Use it for a week and if everything works the way you want, blow away the partitions and start fresh.
Personally, I'd see if Acer has a full set of drivers for XP available (I bet they do) and put them all on a CD/DVD and keep it handy. Even get ones you don't think you'll need if it's for your model. You don't want to load XP and find out that you don't have an ethernet adapter that works with the generic driver (pretty common these days). Then you'd have no net access to update what you do have. Best to have everything you need up front than try to struggle to get it later.
I'd load XP and be happy. Use it for a week and if everything works the way you want, blow away the partitions and start fresh.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,379
Likes: 82
From: MA
Originally Posted by Virto
Well if he's running a notebook, 2.5" drives aren't as cheap as the 3.5" ones we're stuffing in desktops. Plus, opening the case WILL void the warranty for sure...and a lot of manufacters use super thin ribbon cables now for connections to the display and keyboard that are easy to break and essentially impossible to replace.
Personally, I'd see if Acer has a full set of drivers for XP available (I bet they do) and put them all on a CD/DVD and keep it handy. Even get ones you don't think you'll need if it's for your model. You don't want to load XP and find out that you don't have an ethernet adapter that works with the generic driver (pretty common these days). Then you'd have no net access to update what you do have. Best to have everything you need up front than try to struggle to get it later.
I'd load XP and be happy. Use it for a week and if everything works the way you want, blow away the partitions and start fresh.
Personally, I'd see if Acer has a full set of drivers for XP available (I bet they do) and put them all on a CD/DVD and keep it handy. Even get ones you don't think you'll need if it's for your model. You don't want to load XP and find out that you don't have an ethernet adapter that works with the generic driver (pretty common these days). Then you'd have no net access to update what you do have. Best to have everything you need up front than try to struggle to get it later.
I'd load XP and be happy. Use it for a week and if everything works the way you want, blow away the partitions and start fresh.
http://www.compusa.com/applications/...asp?CatId=1277&
Also most notebooks do not need to be opened up to remove the HD. The are usually under an access panel.. This would not void a warranty in my opinion..
Without know the model I can't say if it is easy to remove the drive.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
Originally Posted by donjamer
Another thing that you might want to do is get a brand new Hard Drive and install XP on that. They can be had for around $75.00..
This way if you want Vista you can just pop in the original HD and be on your way..
This way if you want Vista you can just pop in the original HD and be on your way..
Originally Posted by donjamer
Also most notebooks do not need to be opened up to remove the HD. The are usually under an access panel.. This would not void a warranty in my opinion..
Without know the model I can't say if it is easy to remove the drive.
Without know the model I can't say if it is easy to remove the drive.
Best Buy had 2.5" (laptop) WD 120 gig hdd for $99.00 last week.
I agree with donjamer. Get a 'spare' hdd. Pop that rascal in there and do a clean install of XP, and don't look back.
The hdd should be accessable from a panel on the bottom of the laptop, or even a side panel.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CTford
General NON-Automotive Conversation
18
Apr 2, 2008 06:18 PM
CowboyBilly9Mile
General NON-Automotive Conversation
11
Dec 17, 2003 10:54 PM
