[BokerokyBan]

Ok, I need some help. My computer, which I guess this is the way they are going about this nowadays, was purchased with no recovery CD's. However, I do know that there is a way to go into the PC Help tools and make the cd's off of the computer. I'm confused though. I need to make a cd to COMPLETELY restore my computer, like an entire wipe to original, and I'm not sure which option I would pick to make the CD's. It says if i write this to CD, it will take 15 cds or to DVD (DL) (whats that) 1 DVD (DL) or to DVD 2. So, I'm guessing the easiest thing to do would be write it to a DVD RW?

[MineOffedOvex]

If you have a DVD burner then you want to burn a DVD not a 15 CDs. Either way will work but you only get one chance to make a set and who wants 15 frakin' CDs?

One think to keep in mind if you purchase your computer form a local shop, *cough*, you'll get all your CDs for your software and you'll not have to do this. The local shops treat you better then HP does.

[WeissVine]

If you have a DVD burner then you want to burn a DVD not a 15 CDs. Either way will work but you only get one chance to make a set and who wants 15 frakin' CDs?

One think to keep in mind if you purchase your computer form a local shop, *cough*, you'll get all your CDs for your software and you'll not have to do this. The local shops treat you better then HP does.

yeah, i know. You know, once I had someone build me a computer and I SWEAR that computer was about 20x better than any store bought computer I had.

[glopomcyte]

Can you really make a total system restore back to original disk from xp? I thought you could only back up data and make system recovery disks or do a system restore that would only go back so far and include any malware that you don't want.

It sounds like what you want to do is format and reinstall the operating system. You have to make sure you download the drivers for your hardware first. Mainly the Network, Audio, Video, and whatever other ones you can find. They have them on the manufacturer's website under the support section.

Sometimes it is hard to find xp drivers because they are forcing vista on us. You might have to do some handy google searching for the model name of the computer and xp drivers.

Good luck.

[Idonnaink]

Peter,

Assuming that this is an HP/Compaq they come with a system restore disk set that you have to burn to DVD or CDs. This set is an preconfigured install of Xp and all the drivers and software so that the system is just as it is out of the box. This is something that Xp creates for themselves and is beyound a normal Xp install.

You can do the same thing with a copy of Ghost or Arconis true image. You can make a image file backup that can be loaded back on to your pc to bring it back to the way it was at the time of the backup. Beats having to do a wipe and reinstall.

[Rndouglas]

Peter,

Assuming that this is an HP/Compaq they come with a system restore disk set that you have to burn to DVD or CDs. This set is an preconfigured install of Xp and all the drivers and software so that the system is just as it is out of the box. This is something that Xp creates for themselves and is beyound a normal Xp install.

You can do the same thing with a copy of Ghost or Arconis true image. You can make a image file backup that can be loaded back on to your pc to bring it back to the way it was at the time of the backup. Beats having to do a wipe and reinstall.

Oh so you can burn that from the back up partition to a dvd and then you could delete the back up partition?

Do they preload their install cd with bloatware?

I do want to back up all my data and reinstall a fresh version of xp pro and then install all my software and settings and then ghost it so I will have it for back up purposes.

Which OS do you think is the best xp pro, 2k pro, 2k server, or 2k3 server?

[dasneycomrov]

HP has software that monitors the backup partition. So while you could delete it, you also have to kill that software as well.

Yes it comes with the bloat. The system is restore to the condition it is in when you remove it from the shipping box.

As for best os that would be Xp for a workstation. Windows Server 2003 for a server system. I don't suggest people use discontinued versions of Windows. Windows 2000 isn't supported any more by Microsoft and many vendors aren't writing software or drivers any more for it. If your not running Xp or Vista then you shouldn't be on the internet.

[Zwnkkvle]

I love my Dell b/c I have all the original software in a sleeved case that came with the computer.

Our HP is a different story. It only has a separate partition with the original software on it. Even then I couldn't wipe out the entire drive without making a backup set.

Jilly, if you don't care about the 'extras' that were included with your PC when new, you can actually order a Windows CD direct from Microsoft for a nominal fee. You just have to make sure you provide your Product Key or have one for that matter. 1-800-MICROSOFT should work, although you might be able to find a direct number or even do it over the internet.

It's a time consuming process to do a format and install, but if you work on it a little at a time you won't get discourage as quickly.

[Viafdrear]

But...if one were to have a need to reinstall, it's most likely due to a virus
or really screwed up registry or some other type of problem, isn't it? So then
if you were to make the CDs/DVDs as Jilly is wanting to do, then wouldn't you
also be copying over the problem that your trying to fix right along with every
thing else?

Seems like whatever you are copying over, would be corrupted.

I've had an HP, an Acer, and a Gateway. All came with the reinstall CDs.

I love the term "bloatware".

[bMc8F9ZI]

Kay,

You make the disks when the system is working properly. Hard to do a reinstall of your system after you've replaced your bad hard drive if the recovery disks are still on the old hard drive.

The system nags you to make the disks. I've had clients that were to lazy/stupid/naive to make the disks before hand. Then they have to pay for a set from HP.

Most viruses are that troublesome anymore. They just want to send you ads or turn your computer into a secret spambot.

[sarasaraseda]

Kay,

I'm not wanting to do it for virus reasons, I'm wanting to see if this program works whenever I redo it all. I'm not sure what the heck happened to it but I'm hoping I can find out myself without having to pay someone to go in and do the exact same thing I just did.

I did it on the bedroom computer no problem...the bad thing is, this particular program is not on the bedroom computer

[Tryphadz]

Well, POO!

Ok, I made the discs, re-did the full system recovery, but, what I wanted to try to do was see if i could start over my microsoft office. Obviously, (which should have hit me before, DUH!!) I cant reuse that key that was given to me because its a "trial" (I'm stupid) and is already registered in the system. I'm in DESPERATE need of Microsoft Excel for my job that I'm about to start, working from home. I have to buy the entire Microsoft Office Suite and its 149.00 just to have Microsoft Excel. Does anyone know any other way to go about this????

On the other hand, some other stuff that wasnt working before I did this, is working now.

[outfinofulpv]

Well you would have to had to buy a copy of office anyway as a trial version would expire in 60 days.

For home use the most affordable version of office is the Home and Student version which you can get for about $120.

http://www.google.com/products?q=mic...S209US209&um=1

[gamecasta]

You should also try Open Office, which is freeware and is supposed to be fairly comaptible with MS Office, including Excel. I understand that macros and things may be a problem.

[Spisivavona]

I didnt even tell yall what else I did.

I'm a stupid idiot! I forgot to back up my outlook express so I lost all of the mail that I had saved in my "important items" folder. Oh well, I think most of that I can just re-request.

[inhitoemits]

So basically you were hoping to "trick" your computer into restarting the trial period on your trial version of MS Office?

[PetraCromlich]

So basically you were hoping to "trick" your computer into restarting the trial period on your trial version of MS Office?

M$ is smarter then that. They've learned how to protect themselves from that kind of theft.

If your job requires it then why doesn't your employer provide you a copy?

[zlopikanikanza]

So basically you were hoping to "trick" your computer into restarting the trial period on your trial version of MS Office?

Well, to be honest with you, I had never used my microsoft office but I set it up whenever I first got my computer. I never thought about it until I started looking to see if I had Excel on this computer this week whenever I found out I was going to be needing it. I went to excel and just started clicking past the screens that pop up, which is probably where I'm the idiot because I do it all the time, and I just clicked off the screens. Whenever I tried to type anything in excel, it didnt work so I figured maybe I had corrupted something because I had this stupid thing that, for about the last 6 months or so, has been popping up at start up about something. So I wanted to just start over with Microsoft office, thinking that maybe something was corrupted and I decided to just do a full system recovery and when I went looking for the product key, which was in a pile of junk papers that came with the computer, I realized the paper said "trial" version. AFTER the fact, I read what it said and it made sense to me that it couldnt be reused because it was a 60 day trial software. Which is why I said that "it should have hit me before" because I should have realized that it wasnt working because it was a trial and thats why I said "i'm an idiot." SO, now that we have established that I'm dumb and should have paid attention, I now know that it wasnt anything corrupt in my system, a product key wont work when its expired and maybe I need to start reading everything that pops up on my computer more thorougly instead of passing it by. It might save me a lot of time.

And, nline, I'm considered a contractor/vendor and they shouldnt have to provide me with anything, I should have it.

[StitsVobsaith]

And, nline, I'm considered a contractor/vendor and they shouldnt have to provide me with anything, I should have it.

Does the library have excel? UTPB has it for 25 bucks if you are a student I think.

[nmnrIjGB]

As for best os that would be Xp for a workstation. Windows Server 2003 for a server system. I don't suggest people use discontinued versions of Windows. Windows 2000 isn't supported any more by Microsoft and many vendors aren't writing software or drivers any more for it.

I have just heard that 2000 runs faster than xp and of course we all know that xp runs faster than Vista. I was wondering how fast 2003 server would work for a desktop compared to xp or 2000.

If your not running Xp or Vista then you shouldn't be on the internet.

do wha huh? Vista is the most bloated piece of OS yet, it is on par with Windows ME.

I think you could make some good money replacing peoples' bloatware vista with xp and their laptops will run so much faster. Since you can no longer buy a new computer without vista installed on it. MS is just pushing everyone towards open source, I use firefox now and I really think I better start learning red hat and all the unix flavors.