New laptop - Software Questions

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superskully

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Hi All.
So i have been out of the loop for some time when it comes to installing software (used to have this disc to boot, format, partition... then another to install XP...).
Now i just purchased a new Laptop with Windows 7 and was a bit suprised that no CD/DVD's came with it.
So the question is, how would i restore the computer with Windows 7 again if something goes wrong, like if i need to format and re-install Win7.
My guess is that i have to create a back-up or image...
I can create a repair disc which is bootable. Then maybe create an image of the computer - but that can only be stored on a HDD, (as its so big), but will i be able to see a HHD from when booting???
I dont want to end up with the issue of not being prepared if something goes worng.

Also, if i have an older computer with Office 2007, how can i release the license so that i can use it on the new PC.
 
Usually new laptops have software installed that allow you to create backups disc of the OS. What is the make of the laptop?
 
hungrybeaver said:
Usually new laptops have software installed that allow you to create backups disc of the OS. What is the make of the laptop?
Click to expand...

HP.
Think Win 7 has options of backup, image and recovery.
Apart from the recovery, the backup and image are like 40Gigs.
What about the recovery drive - which is just a partition.
 
Seriously, the easiest is just to torrent the original Windows 7 disc. You are still going to use your own key when reinstalling, so I don't think it's even considered illegal.

EDIT: Or make a copy of a friends disc.
 
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Wow. Thats weird. I've just checked 2 HP Win 7 laptops at my office and neither give the option to create recovery discs. I have found out that you can create recovery discs by using the Recovery Manager which wasn't installed on either machine :confused:

you can download the Recovery Manager from the HP site. Not sure if it will work, but hey its worth a try.

As Viva says, its probably easier/better to download the Win7 disc and create another disc with your drivers etc on it. This way you won't get the bloatware that comes with a new laptop..
 
hungrybeaver said:
Wow. Thats weird. I've just checked 2 HP Win 7 laptops at my office and neither give the option to create recovery discs. I have found out that you can create recovery discs by using the Recovery Manager which wasn't installed on either machine :confused:

you can download the Recovery Manager from the HP site. Not sure if it will work, but hey its worth a try.

As Viva says, its probably easier/better to download the Win7 disc and create another disc with your drivers etc on it. This way you won't get the bloatware that comes with a new laptop..
Click to expand...
Windows 7 has its own backup. It actually warns you to set-up the backup.
Otherwise - > Control Panel > Backup and Restore.
Gives you the option to create an image and a system repair disc.
I am guessing the repair disc you boot from, and use the image stored for e.g. on a partition or external USB to restore Windows 7. But i am not sure, thats y i ask.
I am also guessing HP also has a recovery option as you mentioned and thats another option - beleive thats y they have a HP partition recovery drive. Have not checked how to use that though.
So thats 2 options, another option is to use a Windows Disc as mentioned earlier. Though thats gigs to download at R30 per gig for me.
What i am thinking is that if i have the computer new, will all my software installed, if i can create an image of this point and then restore it if something goes wrong later. So i am thinking the Win 7 backup may do this but not sure (maybe even HP recovery - but i have to check).
 
I bought a HP laptop about 6 weeks ago. It came with Windows 7 Professional, a recovery partition, a lot of bloatware and no Windows 7 disc. I immediately deleted the partitions and reinstalled Windows 7 (from a disc I had), and installed the latest drivers available on HP's website. The laptop runs so much faster after the trouble I went through that I will definitely recommend this. I just don't get why these manufacturers sell good hardware with bad software preloaded, giving a bad experience from the start.
 
Viva said:
I bought a HP laptop about 6 weeks ago. It came with Windows 7 Professional, a recovery partition, a lot of bloatware and no Windows 7 disc. I immediately deleted the partitions and reinstalled Windows 7 (from a disc I had), and installed the latest drivers available on HP's website. The laptop runs so much faster after the trouble I went through that I will definitely recommend this. I just don't get why these manufacturers sell good hardware with bad software preloaded, giving a bad experience from the start.
Click to expand...

Thats what i also use to do. None of the junk that comes pre-loaded.
Problem is now i have to find a Windows Home Premium 64 bit Disk from somewhere to do this (dont know anyone who has this). As i have Windows 7 Pro disk, but not home.
 
The discs I have allow you to choose your Windows 7 type before installation (like Home Premium, Pro or Ultimate). If it isn't some kind of customized disc, it should allow you to choose.
 
This is actually something I'll have to go read more about.

I still got a recovery disc with my Asus notebook, but purchased a HP notebook for someone at work and also no Windows 7 disc. Think HP is a bit cheapskate, if you ask me.

But there is a recovery partition on the hard disk, so assume the image file is there....but what if the hard drive fail? You'll have to go to HP to put in a new one & if it's not under warranty, it will cost you a ton of money to do it.

Wonder if you can ask for the disc when you purchase the pc, or do you need to email HP and they send you one?
 
kingrob said:
Wonder if you can ask for the disc when you purchase the pc, or do you need to email HP and they send you one?
Click to expand...

We had a couple of clients that contacted HP after buying lappies with Win7 pre-loaded (No Win7 Disc, just WinXP downgrade disc - this was about a year ago) .... as far as I know some of them got the Win7 disc via mail ;)
 
COMPUTEK said:
We had a couple of clients that contacted HP after buying lappies with Win7 pre-loaded (No Win7 Disc, just WinXP downgrade disc - this was about a year ago) .... as far as I know some of them got the Win7 disc via mail ;)
Click to expand...

Yeah, also got the XP downgrade disc with the HP.

But you are right, HP is pulling a fast one, cos legally they should provide you with the disc....but they only do it if you ask. Bloody agents.
 
kingrob said:
Yeah, also got the XP downgrade disc with the HP.

But you are right, HP is pulling a fast one, cos legally they should provide you with the disc....but they only do it if you ask. Bloody agents.
Click to expand...

:D
 
Thanks Guys. Will contact HP.
From my research, with Win 7, all i have to do is create a recovery disk and an image that can be stored on an external hdd (this is using Win 7 software), and that should work, even if the internal hdd crashes. Have never tried it though - hope i dont have to.
Had a friend who was using HP tools to backup and recover, and when his computer crashed, none of his recoveries worked.
 
The HP laptops usually have 2 hidden partitions at the end of the hard drive of 7GB & 1GB. The 7GB is the recovery partition & the 1GB is the OS Tools partition. You can create install dvd's from the 7GB partition with the HP software they either provide or you download from HP, http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=uk&docname=c00809678

Anybody knows what the HP tools partition does? I recently replaced a HDD in a HP laptop and did not bother restoring the above partitions but noticed that the laptops power light no longer comes on.
 
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