OT: Question about restore disks for Win7

[chicagofan]

Have a new laptop with Win7, which keeps nagging me to create the
backup/restore disks... yet I can't find anywhere it tells me what TYPE
of DVDs to use, and an estimate of how many it will require.

It tells me *during* the process it will tell me how many disks are
needed... at the same time it is WARNING me NOT to interrupt this
process. Yes, I'm a nervous Nellie, and would like to know I have the
right disks and the right quantity before I begin.

It's a Gateway NV57H57u, Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB hard drive
and Pioneer CD/DVD drive. Can anyone advise on this seemingly simple
question to me, that I can't find the answer to? TIA... for any replies.
bj

 

[Bruce Hagen]

Have a new laptop with Win7, which keeps nagging me to create the
backup/restore disks... yet I can't find anywhere it tells me what TYPE
of DVDs to use, and an estimate of how many it will require.

It tells me *during* the process it will tell me how many disks are
needed... at the same time it is WARNING me NOT to interrupt this
process. Yes, I'm a nervous Nellie, and would like to know I have the
right disks and the right quantity before I begin.

It's a Gateway NV57H57u, Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB hard drive
and Pioneer CD/DVD drive. Can anyone advise on this seemingly simple
question to me, that I can't find the answer to? TIA... for any
replies.
bj

My Win7 Gateway NV55C53U laptop took 3 standard 4.7GB DVDs. When you start
the process, it will write to the DVDs. When you need to remove the first
and insert the second, it will tell you and will pause while you change
them.

Just follow the prompts. You'll be OK.

 

[chicagofan]

My Win7 Gateway NV55C53U laptop took 3 standard 4.7GB DVDs. When you start
the process, it will write to the DVDs. When you need to remove the first
and insert the second, it will tell you and will pause while you change
them.

Just follow the prompts. You'll be OK.

Thank you SO MUCH, Bruce!!! You would not believe how much of this day,
I have spent looking for this information. I didn't know how much
might have changed since I last did this... 6 yrs. ago.

Wish I could repay you some way!
bj

 

[Paul]

Have a new laptop with Win7, which keeps nagging me to create the
backup/restore disks... yet I can't find anywhere it tells me what TYPE
of DVDs to use, and an estimate of how many it will require.

It tells me *during* the process it will tell me how many disks are
needed... at the same time it is WARNING me NOT to interrupt this
process. Yes, I'm a nervous Nellie, and would like to know I have the
right disks and the right quantity before I begin.

It's a Gateway NV57H57u, Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB hard drive
and Pioneer CD/DVD drive. Can anyone advise on this seemingly simple
question to me, that I can't find the answer to? TIA... for any replies.
bj

I can't find any reliable info on that model.

For my Win7 laptop, I burned

1) 3 DVDs for restoration (basically, a copy of the hidden partition)
2) 1 DVD they claimed had drivers (I never checked to see how many drivers)
3) 1 CD for emergency booting. This is the disc you use for repairs,
command prompt, restoring a System Image and so on.

The first four, the prompt comes form the laptop manufacturer.

The CD is a Microsoft prompt, at least it was in my case. The
prompts for (1,2) and (3) were separate and didn't happen
at the same point in time.

If you buy a five-pack of DVDs, that would be a start. The
nagging could be for (1,2). It shouldn't take any more
media than that.

The DVDs would be regular 4.7GB or thereabouts type. Not
dual-layer 9GB discs or anything. And the burning engine
is supported in Windows, rather than a separate burning
program or software being involved.

The only reason I used a CD for (3), is they're cheaper
than the DVDs I use, and the amount of data for (3) is
only 200MB or so. When you boot (3), the menu looks like this.

http://cache8.groovypost.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/image_thumb_5.png

Paul

 

[Bruce Hagen]

Thank you SO MUCH, Bruce!!! You would not believe how much of this day,
I have spent looking for this information. I didn't know how much
might have changed since I last did this... 6 yrs. ago.

Wish I could repay you some way!
bj

You're very welcome. Your "thank you" is payment in full.

 

[chicagofan]

I can't find any reliable info on that model.

For my Win7 laptop, I burned

1) 3 DVDs for restoration (basically, a copy of the hidden partition)
2) 1 DVD they claimed had drivers (I never checked to see how many drivers)
3) 1 CD for emergency booting. This is the disc you use for repairs,
command prompt, restoring a System Image and so on.

The first four, the prompt comes form the laptop manufacturer.

The CD is a Microsoft prompt, at least it was in my case. The
prompts for (1,2) and (3) were separate and didn't happen
at the same point in time.

If you buy a five-pack of DVDs, that would be a start. The
nagging could be for (1,2). It shouldn't take any more
media than that.

The DVDs would be regular 4.7GB or thereabouts type. Not
dual-layer 9GB discs or anything. And the burning engine
is supported in Windows, rather than a separate burning
program or software being involved.

The only reason I used a CD for (3), is they're cheaper
than the DVDs I use, and the amount of data for (3) is
only 200MB or so. When you boot (3), the menu looks like this.

http://cache8.groovypost.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/image_thumb_5.png

Paul

Thanks for all the information, Paul. I'll save this message along with
the others, for when I get back to this project, after buying some
disks. I really appreciate this.
bj

 

[chicagofan]

I can't find any reliable info on that model.

For my Win7 laptop, I burned

1) 3 DVDs for restoration (basically, a copy of the hidden partition)
2) 1 DVD they claimed had drivers (I never checked to see how many drivers)
3) 1 CD for emergency booting. This is the disc you use for repairs,
command prompt, restoring a System Image and so on.

The first four, the prompt comes form the laptop manufacturer.

The CD is a Microsoft prompt, at least it was in my case. The
prompts for (1,2) and (3) were separate and didn't happen
at the same point in time.

If you buy a five-pack of DVDs, that would be a start. The
nagging could be for (1,2). It shouldn't take any more
media than that.

The DVDs would be regular 4.7GB or thereabouts type. Not
dual-layer 9GB discs or anything. And the burning engine
is supported in Windows, rather than a separate burning
program or software being involved.

The only reason I used a CD for (3), is they're cheaper
than the DVDs I use, and the amount of data for (3) is
only 200MB or so. When you boot (3), the menu looks like this.

http://cache8.groovypost.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/image_thumb_5.png

Paul

Thanks for all the information, Paul. I'll save this message along with
the others, for when I get back to this project, after buying some
disks. I really appreciate this.
bj

 

[Nil]

Have a new laptop with Win7, which keeps nagging me to create the
backup/restore disks... yet I can't find anywhere it tells me what
TYPE of DVDs to use, and an estimate of how many it will require.

It tells me *during* the process it will tell me how many disks
are needed... at the same time it is WARNING me NOT to interrupt
this process. Yes, I'm a nervous Nellie, and would like to know I
have the right disks and the right quantity before I begin.

It's a Gateway NV57H57u, Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB hard
drive and Pioneer CD/DVD drive. Can anyone advise on this
seemingly simple question to me, that I can't find the answer to?
TIA... for any replies. bj

I don't know the answer, and I guess it pays to be prepared, but all
those major PC vendors will send you a set of restore disks for a
nominal fee (postage/handling.) If something were to go wrong during
the creation of your disks, I think it would be pretty easy to convince
them that it was their fault for not telling you explicitly what kind
of disks to use and how to do it. In which case, I would expect them to
send you restore disks free of charge, or tell you how to burn another
set of disks (something their system is designed to prevent, but I bet
there's a secret workaround.)

 

[chicagofan]

I don't know the answer, and I guess it pays to be prepared, but all
those major PC vendors will send you a set of restore disks for a
nominal fee (postage/handling.) If something were to go wrong during
the creation of your disks, I think it would be pretty easy to convince
them that it was their fault for not telling you explicitly what kind
of disks to use and how to do it. In which case, I would expect them to
send you restore disks free of charge, or tell you how to burn another
set of disks (something their system is designed to prevent, but I bet
there's a secret workaround.)

I will certainly keep this message for possible future reference... hope
it won't be needed, but it's quite possible I will! Thanks a lot! I
had no idea they did that, even for a fee.
bj

 

[Nil]

I will certainly keep this message for possible future
reference... hope it won't be needed, but it's quite possible I
will! Thanks a lot! I had no idea they did that, even for a fee.

Call Gateway to make sure. I know they used to sell you recovery disks;
so did HP and Dell.

 

[Alex Clayton]

Have a new laptop with Win7, which keeps nagging me to create the
backup/restore disks... yet I can't find anywhere it tells me what TYPE
of DVDs to use, and an estimate of how many it will require.

It tells me *during* the process it will tell me how many disks are
needed... at the same time it is WARNING me NOT to interrupt this
process. Yes, I'm a nervous Nellie, and would like to know I have the
right disks and the right quantity before I begin.

It's a Gateway NV57H57u, Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB hard drive
and Pioneer CD/DVD drive. Can anyone advise on this seemingly simple
question to me, that I can't find the answer to? TIA... for any replies.
bj

I made them for a couple Gateways. They are, or were actually made by
Acer. I used DVDR's. The first time I tried I had some DVDRW's. As soon
as I started it said it was the wrong kind and stopped, so if you have
one in it will not work with it should just tell you.
I have had to restore one of these a few times so far. As long as the
drive is still OK the easy way is to just use the hidden partition on it
for this. On the Acer and on my newer Toshiba doing it this way puts all
the drivers back too. When it is done the machine is just like it was
the first day you turned it on. All of them seem to have a slightly
different method for getting to this at start up. If it's not included
with the instructions that came with it you can find it on their website
or just by searching. I did a complete recovery on this (Toshiba) a
while back. When I tried using the restore discs I made I could not get
anything to happen. I am sure there is some step I was missing. As soon
as I typed the model # into a search with how to restore the answer was
there. I made a note of it on the damn discs for the next time. <G>

 

[chicagofan]

Call Gateway to make sure. I know they used to sell you recovery disks;
so did HP and Dell.

Yes... the days of original disks for all software loaded being provided
with a system were great too.
bj

 

[chicagofan]

I made them for a couple Gateways. They are, or were actually made by
Acer. I used DVDR's. The first time I tried I had some DVDRW's. As soon
as I started it said it was the wrong kind and stopped, so if you have
one in it will not work with it should just tell you.
I have had to restore one of these a few times so far. As long as the
drive is still OK the easy way is to just use the hidden partition on it
for this. On the Acer and on my newer Toshiba doing it this way puts all
the drivers back too. When it is done the machine is just like it was
the first day you turned it on. All of them seem to have a slightly
different method for getting to this at start up. If it's not included
with the instructions that came with it you can find it on their website
or just by searching. I did a complete recovery on this (Toshiba) a
while back. When I tried using the restore discs I made I could not get
anything to happen. I am sure there is some step I was missing. As soon
as I typed the model # into a search with how to restore the answer was
there. I made a note of it on the damn discs for the next time.<G>

LOL! I can appreciate that. I'm at the age where things I don't do
often MUST be written down. I will making a lot of notes and saving
a lot of ng messages for this Win 7 conversion.

Thanks for the tips and sharing your experience.
bj

 

[Alex Clayton]

Yes... the days of original disks for all software loaded being provided
with a system were great too.
bj

It was nice when they did that. Most, if not all, stopped doing it when
they started including a hidden partition with the recovery info on it.
As long as the drive is still ok this is fine. If I ever had to buy a
new drive I would just take the damn thing to a shop anyway. It's
supposed to be fairly simple to replace. I would be afraid that once I
took the machine apart I would end up taking it to the shop in pieces to
be put back together. I am pretty sure that every time I have restored a
machine because something was FUBAR there was a "fix". The problem is
often when I ask on a group like this I get help that is going right
over my head. I love PC's but have never been interested in trying to
learn how to build/ repair them. Since I back up everything important
it's just easier for me to start over. If it is screwing up and I can't
fix it the recovery always works. That way even a dummy like me can be
back and running again in no time. <G>

 

[chicagofan]

It was nice when they did that. Most, if not all, stopped doing it when
they started including a hidden partition with the recovery info on it.
As long as the drive is still ok this is fine. If I ever had to buy a
new drive I would just take the damn thing to a shop anyway. It's
supposed to be fairly simple to replace. I would be afraid that once I
took the machine apart I would end up taking it to the shop in pieces to
be put back together. I am pretty sure that every time I have restored a
machine because something was FUBAR there was a "fix". The problem is
often when I ask on a group like this I get help that is going right
over my head. I love PC's but have never been interested in trying to
learn how to build/ repair them. Since I back up everything important
it's just easier for me to start over. If it is screwing up and I can't
fix it the recovery always works. That way even a dummy like me can be
back and running again in no time.<G>

I have been lucky and haven't had to restore one since the WinME days,
but I essentially do what you do, back up the essential files to me, and
take my chances with the rest, if the regular backups fail.

I'm interested in computers and knowing all I can, but with the
advancing years... my memory fails me too often to do much on my own.
bj

 

[Alex Clayton]

I have been lucky and haven't had to restore one since the WinME days,
but I essentially do what you do, back up the essential files to me, and
take my chances with the rest, if the regular backups fail.

I'm interested in computers and knowing all I can, but with the
advancing years... my memory fails me too often to do much on my own.
bj

I rarely have to re do mine until I give them away. I keep a laptop for
a couple years then buy a new one. Before I give one away I do a
recovery. Now my Wife OTOH is real good at making hers FUBAR. She likes
playing on line games which is I suspect where the trouble often comes
from. This laptop is the first time in many years I had to do it for one
of mine. I can't remember now what was going on. Something quit and I
tried doing a couple of restores to an earlier date. Still was acting
strange so I just recovered it from the partition. It fixed whatever the
hell I had done. Back in the days of dial up Internet it was a hassle
only because re loading the updates took days. With Broadband it's a snap.
Some of the more knowledgeable people here have often told me I should
learn more. I'm just too damn lazy and uninterested to bother. Besides
normally if I need to know something all I have to do is ask here and
one will tell me. Often in simple enough language that even I can follow
along. <VBG>