[solved] How do I back up drivers on a pc please

[grandadfatboy]

Hi,

 

Hope this is in the correct section, if it is not my apologies.

 

I'm lokking for a simple to use, preferably free driver back-up software. My daughter has just "dumped" her laptop into my lap saying "Fix that dad", dont' know what she thinks I am. :D She can't find any discs that came with the laptop, although it does have the Windows 7 licence sticker on the base of the pc. I've backed up all her data and was going to do a completely fresh install of Windows 7. However, with no driver disc I need to back them all up prior to doing a fresh install. Any recommendations please.

 

Thanks.

Ian

[KenB]

Hi Ian

 

You could take a look here:

click here

 

It is possible to do this yourself:

The drivers are usually stored in the following location ...

C:\Windows\System32 .......sub-folders Drivers, DriverStore and possibly DRVSTORE.

 

You may find this useful too

click here

 

============

 

Regarding daughter's laptop

She can't find any discs that came with the laptop,

I can direct you to a free download of win7 if necessary.

 

What exactly is the problem?

[grandadfatboy]

Hello again Ken,

 

The pc constantly crashes for no apparent reason and completely freezes at other times. When it freezes no action via the keyboard has any effect and the only solution is to restart the laptop. There is no one particular action that triggers an episode. I removed AVG Free and installed Microsoft Essentials, Malawarebytes, Superantispyware and although it showed some issues these were dealt with by the software. This did seem to improve the freezing problem a little, but it still continues to crash unexpectedly.

 

The link to a free download of Windows 7 would be great thanks, as my copy is Windows 7 pro 64bit and the laptop has Home Premium 32bit.

 

Thank you for the quick reply.

Regards

Ian

[KenB]

Hi Ian

 

The ISO download can be found here:

click here

 

Please make sure that the version you select is exactly the same as the installed one.

 

It may be that the crashing is due to hardware and not the installed software.

 

Do you get an error message when it crashes ? Blue screen ?

[Armageddon]

Hi Ian in regards to the pc can yop download and run bluescreenview from here its towards bottom of page then post the last 3 dump files this will give us information of the stop codes which may point to the reason behind the BSOD's , also your daughters laptop since it came with win7 there is probably a recovery partition built in to totally re-install windows if you posted the make of your daughters laptop we'd be able to point you in the right direction to run recovery.

[grandadfatboy]

Hi and thank you for the replies.

Sorry for my tardy reply, but we have a lot going on in the family at moment and it all seems to have arrived at the same time, but that's life I guess.

 

My daughters PC is made by E-Systems and in the programme list is an E-Systems folder which contains 'Recovery Back Up Wizard'. I'm assuming rather than doing a fresh install of Windows, the wizard will return the PC back to the time when she first purchased it, just as Armageddon suggested? If this is the case then that will be a preferable, not to mention easier solution than a fresh install.

 

Thanks for your patience and assistance.

 

Ian

[KenB]

in the programme list is an E-Systems folder which contains 'Recovery Back Up Wizard'

Not sure what this is .....as far as I know you cannot run a recovery and re-install from within the Operating System.

 

I think you may be able to do it this way:

Switch on and constantly tap F10

This should access a hidden partition.

"Destructive Recovery" should be an option.

 

Be aware that this will format the drive ..... you will lose everything.

 

Do not do this on battery power - use the mains adapter.

Make sure that the power supply is not cut off during the Recovery process.

 

Back-up anything from the drive that you need before performing the Recovery.

[RandyL]

The Recovery Backup Wizard is probably the method you use to create disks to fully reinstall the operating system should something go wrong with the hard drive or if all other methods fail.

 

All data, programs and updates will be lost. It would be just as it was when you bought it most likely.

 

If you never made the disks you should do so now before you do anything else.

 

Also be advised that on some brands and models of computers the method you use to reinstall may not in the future give you access to the hidden partion recovery option.

 

So make the disks if you can just to be safe.

[Armageddon]

By E-systems do you mean E-Machines ? which is basically owned by Acer so the recovery partition will be f10 or boot into widows and the select E - recovery management when you select the correct recovery option windows will boot into that option for you to run recovery. Quick add on to this E-Machines recovery is F11 not F10

[grandadfatboy]

Hi guys,

Thank you for your replies.

 

Well I did a fresh install with no problems. I also downloaded and installed MSE & Superantispyware with absolutely no problems. MSE updated itself and after that I hit Windows update. Not surprised to see 113 & 9 optionals updates of which I chose not to install the optional ones at this time. It took a while to download and install the updates and as I was expecting the pc needed to be restarted which I did. PC booted up to Windows 7 home screen and then went completely black. The PC lights all remain on and I heard one of the windows "jingles" play shortly after the screen went black. By restarting and booting from Windows disc I was able to access Windows repair and restore etc. I chose every test and diagnostic I could. Eventually restarting which once again gave me the Windows home screen for a few seconds and then went black once again.

 

I'm know completely stumped! I would be grateful for your help and advice.

 

Thanks in anticipation.

 

Ian

[seedy21]

Hi Ian

 

Can you boot into safemode for me and see if you get the same problem in there?

 

 

 

• Turn your computer off through Shut Down.
  
• Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
  
• Once your computer's manufacturer logo (eg. 'ACeR') starts to show, start pressing the F8 key repeatedly.
  
• Keep pressing it until the Windows Advanced Options Menu loads up.
  
• Make sure 'Safe Mode' is selected, navigate to it by using the arrow keys.
  
• Press enter, and your computer will start booting into Safe Mode.
  

[grandadfatboy]

Hi Seedy,

 

Yes the pc will start in safe mode and got to the log on screen this time and it allowed me log in too. The screen is black with 'safe mode' showing in all 4 corners of the screen and Microsoft build 7601 service pack 1 top middle of the screen. Also have a collapsible window 'Windows Help And Support' What is Safe Mode. How do I proceed now please.

 

Thanks

 

Ian

[seedy21]

Hi Ian

 

Safe mode is a bare mininal boot that Windows just boots up with what it needs. This will stop all third party applications starting up on boot. It does sound like a Graphics Driver issue. Any chance you can go to Device manager and update you Graphics Card Driver?

 

PS you will need to start up on Safe mode with networking to complete this

[grandadfatboy]

Hi Seedy,

Followed your advice and all it appears to have needed was to roll back the graphics driver and hey presto. I'm just wondering if that had anything to do with the fact my daughter had to have a new screen fitted some time ago? Thank you for your assistance it was invaluable.

 

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

 

ATB

Ian

[seedy21]

Glad to Hear your up and Running again :)

 

Ill mark this as solved .

[grandadfatboy]

Just like to say that pc hasn't missed a beat. No crashes and no freezing, so I think my daughter can have her laptop back now.

 

Many thanks for all the help.;)

 

Ian

[KenB]

Nice one Seedy21

 

http://fileinabox.com/files/2008/11/thumbs-up.jpg