Making an XP reinstallation disc

June 1, 2008

It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems to

have gone out of style.

My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with the

files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes bad after

the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP license. It seems

unreasonable.

So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup all

my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I just

want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting from an

optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM reinstall disc.

How can somebody do that?

June 1, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

Matt wrote:

> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems to

> have gone out of style.

>

> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with the

> files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes bad after

> the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP license. It seems

> unreasonable.

>

> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup all

> my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I just

> want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting from an

> optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM reinstall disc.

>

> How can somebody do that?

Contact IBM/Lenovo for how to do that. IBM/Lenovo machines have a very

proprietary way of using restore disks. When I called for service on my

(under warranty) Thinkpad, tech support sent me restore disks at no charge.

I don't know whether they will do this in your case, of course.

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com

Don't Panic!

June 1, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

"Matt" <matt@themattfella.xxxyyz.com> wrote in message

news:XTv0k.4670$s66.3088@fe091.usenetserver.com...

> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems to

> have gone out of style.

>

> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with the

> files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes bad

> after the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP license.

> It seems unreasonable.

>

> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup all

> my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I just

> want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting from an

> optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM reinstall disc.

>

> How can somebody do that?

Just follow the directions on this page:

http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml

June 1, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

On Jun 1, 7:39 am, Matt <m...@themattfella.xxxyyz.com> wrote:

> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems to

> have gone out of style.

>

> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with the

> files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes bad after

> the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP license. It seems

> unreasonable.

>

> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup all

> my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I just

> want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting from an

> optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM reinstall disc.

>

> How can somebody do that?

I contacted Dell (I own one) and , stating my case, tehy sent me a

reinstall disc

then talked me through the format / install and installing a new set

of drivers..

I thnk they also currently Sell XP machines

June 1, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

David wrote:

> On Jun 1, 7:39 am, Matt <m...@themattfella.xxxyyz.com> wrote:

>> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

>> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems to

>> have gone out of style.

>>

>> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with the

>> files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes bad after

>> the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP license. It seems

>> unreasonable.

>>

>> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup all

>> my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I just

>> want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting from an

>> optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM reinstall disc.

>>

>> How can somebody do that?

>

> I contacted Dell (I own one) and , stating my case, tehy sent me a

> reinstall disc

>

> then talked me through the format / install and installing a new set

> of drivers..

>

> I thnk they also currently Sell XP machines

>

The sure do. They also sell machines loaded with Ubuntu.

Alias

June 1, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

Matt wrote:

> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems to

> have gone out of style.

>

> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with the

> files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes bad after

> the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP license. It seems

> unreasonable.

>

> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup all

> my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I just

> want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting from an

> optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM reinstall disc.

>

> How can somebody do that?

If you really look in start > programs you should have a program that

will do just that. Most brands do not send you a backup cd because they

use that hidden hard drive and they will install a backup program just

so users will be able to create their own.

--

"It's OK to hate your job"

http://www.alljobssuck.com

June 1, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems to

> have gone out of style.

>

> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with the

> files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes bad

> after the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP license.

> It seems unreasonable.

>

> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup all

> my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I just

> want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting from an

> optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM reinstall disc.

>

> How can somebody do that?

Looks like you have some good advice already so I won't just repeat that

stuff.

But for the future if you invest in a disk imaging software.

Symantec's Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image are the two leading

applications and both work very well. Not free but not very expensive

either, relatively speaking. Then you could make backups whenever you

wanted to and restore the machine to any date since you started making

the backups, even if the hard disk is trashed and has to be replaced

with a new one. Read the manual/s carefully so you know how to do that

since it's something you won't do very often.

HTH

June 1, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

Eduardo Cerejo wrote:

> Matt wrote:

>> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

>> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems to

>> have gone out of style.

>>

>> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with the

>> files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes bad

>> after the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP license.

>> It seems unreasonable.

>>

>> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup all

>> my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I just

>> want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting from an

>> optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM reinstall disc.

>>

>> How can somebody do that?

>

> If you really look in start > programs you should have a program that

> will do just that. Most brands do not send you a backup cd because they

> use that hidden hard drive and they will install a backup program just

> so users will be able to create their own.

Well, that would be perfect. But exactly what program would it be?

June 1, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

Matt wrote:

> Eduardo Cerejo wrote:

>> Matt wrote:

>>> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

>>> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems

>>> to have gone out of style.

>>>

>>> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with the

>>> files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes bad

>>> after the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP license.

>>> It seems unreasonable.

>>>

>>> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup

>>> all my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I

>>> just want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting from

>>> an optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM reinstall disc.

>>>

>>> How can somebody do that?

>>

>> If you really look in start > programs you should have a program that

>> will do just that. Most brands do not send you a backup cd because

>> they use that hidden hard drive and they will install a backup program

>> just so users will be able to create their own.

>

> Well, that would be perfect. But exactly what program would it be?

HP puts in on the start menu just like other programs. Not sure about

IBM but Eduardo thinks its there. Read between the lines, something

that has something to do with making a system restore cd's.

June 1, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

"Twayne" <nobody@devnull.spamcop.net> wrote in message

news:eDcamFAxIHA.1772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

>> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems to

>> have gone out of style.

>>

>> ...

> Looks like you have some good advice already so I won't just repeat that

> stuff.

> But for the future if you invest in a disk imaging software.

> Symantec's Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image are the two leading

> applications and both work very well. Not free but not very expensive

> either, relatively speaking. Then you could make backups whenever you

> wanted to and restore the machine to any date since you started making the

> backups, even if the hard disk is trashed and has to be replaced with a

> new one. Read the manual/s carefully so you know how to do that since

> it's something you won't do very often.

And if you go this route you won't likely lose nearly as much.

If you back up reasonably frequently (I use True Image, and a

complete C: backup to either a removable drive or to the TI

protected Secure Zone on my main drive takes less than half

an hour) you need lose no more than your most recent data

and software updates. Assuming, that is, that your OS mess-up

becomes obvious fairly soon after it happens.

Even total destruction of my machine could be recovered from

with my TI CD-ROM and my removable drive, once I could obtain

a sufficiently duplicate machine.

June 1, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

Norton Ghost does not work on Dell computers. System Works refuses to

install Ghost.

Frank

"Twayne" <nobody@devnull.spamcop.net> wrote in message

news:eDcamFAxIHA.1772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

>> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems to

>> have gone out of style.

>>

>> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with the

>> files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes bad

>> after the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP license. It

>> seems unreasonable.

>>

>> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup all

>> my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I just

>> want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting from an

>> optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM reinstall disc.

>>

>> How can somebody do that?

>

> Looks like you have some good advice already so I won't just repeat that

> stuff.

> But for the future if you invest in a disk imaging software.

> Symantec's Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image are the two leading

> applications and both work very well. Not free but not very expensive

> either, relatively speaking. Then you could make backups whenever you

> wanted to and restore the machine to any date since you started making the

> backups, even if the hard disk is trashed and has to be replaced with a

> new one. Read the manual/s carefully so you know how to do that since

> it's something you won't do very often.

>

> HTH

>

June 2, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

FrankV wrote:

> Norton Ghost does not work on Dell computers. System Works refuses

> to install Ghost.

'Ghost' works fine on Dell computers.

--

Shenan Stanley

MS-MVP

--

How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

June 2, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

Big Al wrote:

> Matt wrote:

>> Eduardo Cerejo wrote:

>>> Matt wrote:

>>>> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

>>>> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems

>>>> to have gone out of style.

>>>>

>>>> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with

>>>> the files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes

>>>> bad after the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP

>>>> license. It seems unreasonable.

>>>>

>>>> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup

>>>> all my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I

>>>> just want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting

>>>> from an optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM

>>>> reinstall disc.

>>>>

>>>> How can somebody do that?

>>>

>>> If you really look in start > programs you should have a program that

>>> will do just that. Most brands do not send you a backup cd because

>>> they use that hidden hard drive and they will install a backup

>>> program just so users will be able to create their own.

>>

>> Well, that would be perfect. But exactly what program would it be?

>

> HP puts in on the start menu just like other programs.

What does HP call it then?

> Not sure about

> IBM but Eduardo thinks its there. Read between the lines, something

> that has something to do with making a system restore cd's.

Maybe he's thinking of System Restore, which is for making a check

point. As I understand it, you have no control over where it is stored.

It writes to the hard drive, not to a CD or DVD.

June 2, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

"Matt" <matt@themattfella.xxxyyz.com> wrote in message

news:TXA0k.444$%06.4@fe95...

> Eduardo Cerejo wrote:

>> Matt wrote:

>>> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

>>> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems

>>> to have gone out of style.

>>>

>>> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with

>>> the files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes

>>> bad after the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP

>>> license. It seems unreasonable.

>>>

>>> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup

>>> all my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I

>>> just want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting

>>> from an optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM

>>> reinstall disc.

>>>

>>> How can somebody do that?

>>

>> If you really look in start > programs you should have a program that

>> will do just that. Most brands do not send you a backup cd because

>> they use that hidden hard drive and they will install a backup

>> program just so users will be able to create their own.

>

> Well, that would be perfect. But exactly what program would it be?

Just look in your documentation. Or look at this Web page:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?doctypeind=8&template=%2Fproductselection%2Flandingpages%2FonlinePublicationsLandingPage.vm&sitestyle=lenovo

If above link doesn't work, try:

http://tinyurl.com/2d3whp

June 2, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

Daave wrote:

> "Matt" <matt@themattfella.xxxyyz.com> wrote in message

> news:TXA0k.444$%06.4@fe95...

>> Eduardo Cerejo wrote:

>>> Matt wrote:

>>>> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

>>>> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems

>>>> to have gone out of style.

>>>>

>>>> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with

>>>> the files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes

>>>> bad after the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP

>>>> license. It seems unreasonable.

>>>>

>>>> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup

>>>> all my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I

>>>> just want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting

>>>> from an optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM

>>>> reinstall disc.

>>>>

>>>> How can somebody do that?

>>> If you really look in start > programs you should have a program that

>>> will do just that. Most brands do not send you a backup cd because

>>> they use that hidden hard drive and they will install a backup

>>> program just so users will be able to create their own.

>>

>> Well, that would be perfect. But exactly what program would it be?

>

> Just look in your documentation. Or look at this Web page:

>

> http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?doctypeind=8&template=%2Fproductselection%2Flandingpages%2FonlinePublicationsLandingPage.vm&sitestyle=lenovo

>

> If above link doesn't work, try:

>

> http://tinyurl.com/2d3whp

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-4M7HWZ

> How can I get a Product Recovery CD or DVD?

> Applicable countries and regions

> Recover your system with the hard drive service partition

> Create your own recovery media with Rescue and Recovery

> Purchase a recovery CD or DVD

>

> Note: Recovering your system will overwrite all data on your system with the factory pre-load as it was shipped with your system.

> Recover your system with the hard drive service partition

> A service partition has been included with newer systems. You can access your service partition during the startup process.

>

> How to use the pre-boot service partition to recover your system

>

> Create your own recovery media with Rescue and Recovery

> If you have a CDRW or CDRW/DVDRW drive, Rescue and Recovery may be used to create a personalized backup on CDs or DVDs, that includes all of your added software, setting changes, and data files.

>

> Learn more about Rescue and Recovery

>

> Purchase a recovery CD or DVD

> If you cannot use the service partition or have had hard drive failure, you will need to obtain a recovery CD or DVD by contacting the Support Center. Please be aware that the Product Recovery CD or DVD may only be available if your machine is still in warranty. A fee may be involved.

>

> Recovery DVDs are only available for Microsoft Windows Vista.

>

June 2, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

Sorry. It was my mistake. The problem is not Ghost but roll back in System

Works.

Frank

"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:ueKb1YExIHA.5520@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> FrankV wrote:

>> Norton Ghost does not work on Dell computers. System Works refuses

>> to install Ghost.

>

> 'Ghost' works fine on Dell computers.

>

> --

> Shenan Stanley

> MS-MVP

> --

> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

>

June 2, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

> "Twayne" <nobody@devnull.spamcop.net> wrote in message

> news:eDcamFAxIHA.1772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

>>> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems

>>> to have gone out of style.

>>>

>>> ...

>> Looks like you have some good advice already so I won't just repeat

>> that stuff.

>> But for the future if you invest in a disk imaging software.

>> Symantec's Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image are the two leading

>> applications and both work very well. Not free but not very

>> expensive either, relatively speaking. Then you could make backups

>> whenever you wanted to and restore the machine to any date since you

>> started making the backups, even if the hard disk is trashed and has

>> to be replaced with a new one. Read the manual/s carefully so you

>> know how to do that since it's something you won't do very often.

>

> And if you go this route you won't likely lose nearly as much.

> If you back up reasonably frequently (I use True Image, and a

> complete C: backup to either a removable drive or to the TI

> protected Secure Zone on my main drive takes less than half

> an hour) you need lose no more than your most recent data

> and software updates. Assuming, that is, that your OS mess-up

> becomes obvious fairly soon after it happens.

>

> Even total destruction of my machine could be recovered from

> with my TI CD-ROM and my removable drive, once I could obtain

> a sufficiently duplicate machine.

?? You mean after you replace the borked drive, right? Toss in the CD

and let it go to work? I didn't understand the ref to a duplicate

machine; shouldn't be necessary?

I no longer use TI but with Ghost you just boot from the ISO-made CD,

tell it where the backups are, and lean back and let it work; you end up

with the exact boot drive you had when the last backup/incremental was

made or you can choose a different set of images from a different date.

?I've been telling people TI did approximately the same thing? Am I

wrong? The hype pages aren't real clear on that part.

Twayne

June 2, 2008

Re: Making an XP reinstallation disc

> Norton Ghost does not work on Dell computers. System Works refuses to

> install Ghost.

OK, I'll assume, since you didn't mention it, that you have XP without

any SPs then, running at 350 MHz and a 10 Gig drive, OK? Sheesh!

Anyway: Wrong. It works find on the old Dell right behind me here and

also on my sister's new machine. If what you said were true, it would

be very well known. You must have something corrupted/borked or the

machine just doesn't have the resources needed to be able to tack

anything more onto it. IF so, that's exactly where a lot of the "slow"

complaints about Norton's comes from.

BTW, "System Works" does not "install" Ghost; you use the Ghost

installer and IT incorporates Ghost in TO the control panel. What you

see at startup is just a control panel - most of those features can also

be run as standalones without the control panel. I do it that way since

it makes for faster startups; no sense in loading stuff twice.

Twayne

>

> Frank

>

> "Twayne" <nobody@devnull.spamcop.net> wrote in message

> news:eDcamFAxIHA.1772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>> It used to be that manufacturers supplied a copy of Windows that you

>>> could use to reinstall the OS in case it got messed up. That seems

>>> to have gone out of style.

>>>

>>> My IBM ThinkCentre desktop has a hidden hard-drive partition with

>>> the files needed to reinstall XP. But what if the hard-drive goes

>>> bad after the warranty is expired? It looks like I lose the XP

>>> license. It seems unreasonable.

>>>

>>> So I want to make a CD or DVD that would reinstall XP---not backup

>>> all my documents---I would make a separate backup of my own data. I

>>> just want to be able to restore the OS to a clean state starting

>>> from an optical disc just as people used to do with the OEM

>>> reinstall disc. How can somebody do that?