Reinstall Windows without a recovery CD

[surferdude]

http://www.komando.com/tips/

Nowadays, it isn't uncommon to get a computer without a Windows installation CD. Rather, manufacturers include all the installation information on a separate partition of the hard drive. A restore program on the computer will allow you to reinstall the entire operating system or programs that came installed on the machine.Usually, a notice with your computer manual will alert you to the fact that restore CDs are not included. It will also tell you how to access the restore program on your computer.

A friend of mine recently purchased a laptop that didn't include restore CDs. The manual advised him to make CDs that could be used to restore the computer. That way he could delete the partition storing the restore information and free up some hard drive space.

If you open the restore program, it will tell you how to make these CDs. Or perhaps your manual will tell you how.

I would recommend you do this if your computer allows it. First, you'll have additional space to store your files. Secondly, you'll thank your lucky stars if your hard drive fails!

Unfortunately, each manufacturer uses a different program for restoring the computer to its factory settings. Also, links to the program will be in different places depending on the make.

First, I would click Start>>All Programs and look at the very top of the menu. You may find the restore program there. If not, look through the rest of the program list. It will likely be in a folder bearing the name of the manufacturer.

When you find the program, start it and follow the steps. It will likely give you the option of restoring the entire computer or individual programs. Select the option you want.

Now, if you took my advice on backing up the restoration information to CD, make sure you read my Digital Digression above on why CDs/DVDs aren't always reliable. You'll want to make copies of your restoration CDs every couple of years.

And, if you deleted the recovery partition without creating your CDs, there may be hope. Call the manufacturer's tech support and request restoration CDs.

Here are some other links you might find interesting:
-- Using Windows backup
Q. I tried to follow your instructions on installing Backup in Windows XP Home. But I do not have a Windows disc. My Hewlett-Packard came with a separate partition, and I think it includes the restore information. I would really like to use Windows' Backup, but I don't have a clue about how to do it. Can you address this?
A. Life was so easy when computer makers included installation and program discs with every system. But these days, many computers do not come with Windows discs. It is less expensive for computer makers to make custom Windows installations.

So, if the Backup program is not installed by default, what do you do?

For this, I tapped into my test box, which was made by eMachines. It arrived with Windows XP Home already installed. It also arrived with three restore discs. I put the first disc into the drive and clicked Start>>Run. I entered the drive letter in the box with a colon (D and pressed OK. That showed me the folders and files on the disc.

One of the folders is VALUEADD. The eMachines disc works like the Windows XP one. I clicked VALUEADD>>MSFT>>NTBACKUP>>NTBACKUP.MSI. Jackpot!

Hewlett-Packard's situation is more involved. As it happens, Ted, one of the guys in the office, recently bought a Hewlett-Packard home computer. Like you, his restore data was placed on a separate partition.

Ted used the instant messaging system that is installed on his HP computer. He clicked Start>>Help and Support>>HP Instant Support. He was quickly connected with a tech at Hewlett-Packard. These were the steps for Ted's computer:

*
Click Start>>All Programs>>Hewlett-Packard
*
Click HP PC Tools>>HP Application Recovery
*
Select Application>>click Next
*
Select the Microsoft VALUEADD Folder
*
Click Install
*
Click OK
*
Click Quit

The Backup utility still must be installed.

*
Click Start>>My Computer
*
Double-click C:
*
Double-click I386
*
Double-click VALUEADD
*
Double-click MSFT
*
Double-click NTBACKUP folder
*
Double-click NTBACKUP icon
*
When the installation is complete, click Finish.

Once Backup is installed, you can access it by clicking Start>>All Programs>>Accessories>>System Tools>>Backup.

I also received questions about Windows 98. Like XP, it requires a CD. Here are the steps:

Click Start>>Settings>>Control Panel. Double-click Add/Remove Programs. Select the Windows Setup tab. Click System Tools>>Details. Click Backup>>OK>>OK.

At this point, you will be asked for your CD. If all you have is a restore CD from the computer manufacturer, try inserting that. You also could try getting help from the manufacturer. Additionally, Windows 98 discs are available on eBay.

Now, we could avoid this whole thing if only Windows installed Backup by default. That seems like a small thing to ask. It certainly would help a ton of people.
-- Using System Restore
Q. My son downloaded a game demo last week. The game would crash at random times and we would have to restart the computer. I finally uninstalled the thing, but the same thing is still happening. How can I just get my computer back to normal? I'm using Windows ME.

A. Games, especially free games, can be of dubious quality. Some are created by programmers as practice or a hobby. And low-quality games can come with low-quality uninstallers. So there are probably a few traces of that game left on your computer.
Fortunately, Windows has just the thing for these circumstances. It's a built-in tool called System Restore. System Restore debuted in Windows Me. It is also part of Windows XP. It takes snapshots of your system. The snapshots are called restore points.

System Restore is useful if you run into sudden problems in Windows. You can return your system to the way it was before problems started. By default, System Restore may keep restore points for the last 90 days. Choose a date and Windows will become its former self.

Restore points are made automatically every 24 hours. That's assuming the computer is turned on. Otherwise, the restore point is created when you boot up. Restore points also are created when you install a program or download an unsigned driver. Drivers tell Windows how to use devices like printers. Unsigned drivers are those not certified by Microsoft.

To find System Restore, click Start>>All Programs>> Accessories>>System Tools>>System Restore. To choose a restore point, select "Restore my computer to an earlier time." Then click the Next button.

System Restore will display a miniature calendar. Select any day emphasized in bold. Look for the day that you installed the game. That day's restore points will be listed beside the calendar. Each restore point also bears a short description to help you choose. They typically look something like "Windows Update" or "Installed iTunes."

Select a restore point and click the Next button. System Restore will prompt you to confirm your choice. Click the Next button. Your computer will automatically shut down and restart using the restore point.

System Restore does not disturb your e-mail or other documents. In fact, it leaves the entire My Documents folder untouched. And a new restore point is made when you use System Restore. It ensures that you can undo the restore if you're not satisfied.

System Restore is handy, but it involves a trade-off: It uses a lot of space. It can use up to 12 percent of your hard drive. But you can adjust the amount of space allowed for System Restore.

In Windows Me, click Start>>Settings>>Control Panel. Double-click System. Select the Performance tab. Click the File System button. Select the Hard Disk tab. Under Settings, you'll find a slider to adjust System Restore's allowed space. But don't be too stingy. System Restore requires at least 200 megabytes to continue making restore points. And the allowed space determines how far back you can restore your computer.

In Windows XP, click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click System. Select the System Restore tab. You'll see the slider to adjust the space reserved for System Restore.

Do not rely on System Restore as a general backup. It won't recover old versions of your documents. Neither will it recover documents that you've deleted. It simply restores Windows to an earlier state.



surferdude

[sultan_emerr]

I hate to tell you, but Kim recently changed her websites, and her old links no longer work. I quit posting links to her site because I had to delete hundreds of her links. For example, the link you posted above no longer goes to "Windows installation CD...............", but instead goes to =

If you want to play a burned CD in your car, finalize it
11/27/2006
Margie in Jackson, MS, is burning CDs. She keeps getting a notice to finalize them. She doesn't know what that means.

When you burn a CD on your computer, many programs ask if you want to finalize it. Or, when you click to record a CD, you might be given the option of writing and finalizing the CD.

[surferdude]

sultan_emerr, I'm fully aware she has changed her website. However, I have gone to her newsletters that are a year or so old & the links still work fine. How that link up there got that way,I don't know but thanks.
surferdude

[surferdude]

sultan_emerr, I left the date on to prove my point. not that i needed to prove it

Kim Komando Show Tip of the Day -- Thursday, March 10, 2005
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 03:00:00 -0700

KIM KOMANDO'S DAILY COMPUTER/INTERNET TIP
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AND NOW FOR TODAY'S TIP... Prolonging your iPod's battery life

Q. What steps can I take to make my iPod's battery last longer?
Do I need to condition it as I do my laptop battery?

A. Before you use your iPod for the first time, charge it. I know,
waiting to play with a new gadget is torture!

Since the iPod's battery is Lithium-ion, it doesn't need to
be conditioned. However, how you use it will affect the
battery's lifespan.

Like all batteries, the one in your iPod has a limited number of charge
cycles. A charge cycle is a full discharge and a full charge. Don't
allow the battery to discharge every time you use it. Frequent partial
charges are better.

However, Apple recommends that you fully discharge and charge your iPod
once a month. This ensures that the battery charge meter is well-
calibrated. The battery icon will reflect the actual charge left in
the iPod.

Most importantly, keep your iPod cool. Temperatures over 95 degrees
Fahrenheit will degrade the battery. Obviously, you shouldn't leave
your iPod in the car on a hot day. Don't leave it in direct sunlight,
either. Also, Apple warns against charging your iPod in a case.
Although some cases are designed for this, they can hold in heat.

Lastly, if you're storing your iPod for more than six months,
leave it 50% charged. Storing it with a full charge can harm the
battery capacity. However, a partial charge is needed to keep the
battery active.

According to Apple, the battery should hold 80% of its original
capacity after 400 charge cycles. If you notice the battery capacity
dwindling, check for software updates. Sometimes a software update can
increase playtime. Visit the iPod Updater page for information on
updates. http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/

If the iPod's hard drive becomes fragmented, it will use more battery
power. Fragmentation forces it to work harder to assemble music files.
It might appear that the battery capacity is diminishing when it isn't.

The best way to defragment your iPod is with a full restore. This will
reformat the drive and erase everything on your iPod. In the process,
the drive will be defragmented. Apple's support site has information on
restoring your iPod at:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983

The warranty covers defective batteries for one year. AppleCare, an
extended warranty, is available for $59. It will cover the battery for
a second year. If the battery capacity falls below 50 percent, Apple
will replace it. AppleCare is not available to Florida residents.

After the warranty expires, Apple charges $99 to replace the battery.
For more information, visit the Apple Web site at:
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/service/battery.html

You can buy a replacement battery at a significant discount on the Web.
But you'll have to replace it yourself. Laptops for Less sells
replacement batteries for $29. The site also posts instructions on
opening an iPod. Its site is at: http://www.ipodbattery.com/

Personally, I'd rather not risk scratching my iPod with a screwdriver.
But maybe you don't mind a few scratches.

Remember, the battery will eventually expire, whether you use it
or not. So use it frequently. I use mine every chance I get!

See you tomorrow!
Kim

P.S.: Invite your family & friends to try my newsletters.
http://www.komando.com/newsletter.asp#friends

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When i tried the links,they worked

surferdude

[sultan_emerr]

Originally Posted by surferdude

sultan_emerr, I left the date on to prove my point. not that i needed to prove it
When i tried the links,they worked

surferdude

Ok, thanks.

[surferdude]

You're welcome.
surferdude