Computer Hope
Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows Vista and 7 => Topic started by: Gray Badger on August 09, 2009, 03:47:26 PM
-
The story I'm getting from Gateway and retailer(Fry's), is that they don't include a copy of the installed OS with their PCs(?!). This sounds right? I'm in the midst of figuring out a driver hiccup in updating my daughter's newly purchased HP laptop from Vista Home Premium to Ultimate, but at least I have DVDs of both the OS and the upgrade. This is our fourth or fifth family computer, and I've never seen one come without the original OS disc- if loaded by somebody else. It seems like you always need it eventually for new drivers, something goes or suppossedly goes corrupt, etc.
A "Recovery Disc" can be created on the Gateway PC:
" This option is used to create a backup copy of the drivers and applications that are included with the computer. This backup copy does not include the operating system. The backup created during this process is burned within Gateway® Recovery Management and should be labeled and stored in a safe place. "
This will suffice for all future troubleshooting and verification/authentication with Microsoft- if need arises?
I got 2 days left to take this thing back.
Please. Thank you.
-
The Drivers will not be on the MS CD...even if you got one.
There should be a Gateway Driver CD which is where you will find them...
If not Drivers are Free and available at the manuf. website.
But if you are having issues i suggest returning the machine before the warranty dries up.
-
Most today's computers come without OS CD, which is a shame, because without it, in case of serious trouble, your only option is full recovery. No repair is possible.
Well, I guess, while buying a new computer, you should add couple of hundred of dollars for OS CD.
-
Thanks for the courtesy and helpfulness of the replies, particularly a 2nd one from patio. It appears, unless wanting to shell-out bucks for the OS or start over with something you can load & keep the disc(s), you get drivers elsewhere, backup data prudently, protect against power glitches, & hope you don't have to resort to a Day 1 image. Thx again.
-
Well, there is another option, you should keep in mind - hard drive image.
If you create one, say weekly, if something goes wrong with the computer, no matter, software, hardware, in 30 minutes, you got everything back, as it was a week ago. All programs, data, etc.
Acronis True Image: http://www.acronis.com/ - not free, but the best
Free alternatives:
- Macrium Reflect: http://www.macrium.com/ReflectFree.asp (highly recommended)
- DriveImage XML: http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm
- SelfImage: http://www.excelcia.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=21
- Paragon Drive Backup: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/
-
Of course given that a HD backup will also put your documents and whatnot back to the state they were at that time it never hurts to backup data files via CD-R, flash drive, or an external HD. :)
-
And keep in mind also that all manuf. WILL provide CD's for the OS if they are asked.....
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.