Beware Compaq's system-file restorer

[Zox]

Beware :

I just used Compaq's system-file restorer, which promises twice
that it won't delete any user files while restoring the system files
for Windows XP. Don't believe it. I saw that it deleted the default
user's Documents and Settings subfolder entirely and replaced it
with a default mostly-empty folder. It left all others users's files
untouched. I guess this is what happens when you outsource
all programming to India. I would have thought it would store the
original files in a directory elsewhere. But no, all the Word files
and so on from the previous default user are gone; and not even
FileScavenger can find them. Yet another empty promise from
HP/Compaq.

 

[Tom Willett]

Beware Compaq, PERIOD.
I will never own another.

 

[Robert Moir]

Beware :

I just used Compaq's system-file restorer, which promises twice
that it won't delete any user files while restoring the system files
for Windows XP. Don't believe it. I saw that it deleted the default
user's Documents and Settings subfolder entirely and replaced it
with a default mostly-empty folder. It left all others users's files
untouched. I guess this is what happens when you outsource
all programming to India. I would have thought it would store the
original files in a directory elsewhere. But no, all the Word files
and so on from the previous default user are gone; and not even
FileScavenger can find them. Yet another empty promise from
HP/Compaq.

I don't think where the support comes from has anything to do with it.
Compaq / HP and (to a lesser degree) Dell make good business kit, in
particular the servers, but their desktops and laptops, especially the
home user ranges, ought to be banned by the geneva convention as "cruel
and unusual punishment".

Given the crud they put people through, as you confirm above, I can only
conclude that neither company wants my business wrt laptops and desktops.
I'm happy to oblige.

--
--
Rob Moir, Microsoft MVP for Security
Blog Site - http://www.robertmoir.com
Virtual PC 2004 FAQ -
http://www.robertmoir.co.uk/win/VirtualPC2004FAQ.html
I'm always surprised at "professionals" who STILL have to be asked:
"Have you checked (event viewer / syslog)".

 

[Richard]

I bought my first computer from a local shop in 1994. Since then every
computer has been built
by me from the parts I wanted. I remember building my first, the power
connection
to the MB had two plugs that plugged into the MB side by side. However there
was
no way to know which plug went on which side. I called one place and they
told me " if you don't know that
you have no business putting together a computer". Called another and they
told me. Well I have
continued to learn... and now others consult me. I am a gamer also, so none
of the "brand" name computers
would have been any good to me. JMTCW

Richard

 

[Bert Kinney]

This is why keeping a current backup of all data is a must.

 

[Nicholas D Richards]

Beware :

I just used Compaq's system-file restorer, which promises twice
that it won't delete any user files while restoring the system files
for Windows XP. Don't believe it. I saw that it deleted the default
user's Documents and Settings subfolder entirely and replaced it
with a default mostly-empty folder. It left all others users's files
untouched. I guess this is what happens when you outsource
all programming to India. I would have thought it would store the
original files in a directory elsewhere. But no, all the Word files
and so on from the previous default user are gone; and not even
FileScavenger can find them. Yet another empty promise from
HP/Compaq.

To quote from the manual for an SR1799

Standard Recovery —
This option recovers factory shipped programs, drivers, and the
operating system without affecting any data files that you may have
created since purchasing this PC. Some data files may be difficult to
find after the System Recovery, so it is best to back up all hard disk
drive files before performing a System Recovery.

It warns some data files may be difficult to find and it is best to back
up all files if possible.

 

[POP]

Modification:

Beware :

I just used Compaq's system-file restorer, which promises
twice that it won't delete any user files while restoring
the system files for Windows XP.

[ and I stopped reading there, completely ignoring the advice
that I should have my files backed up in case something goes
wrong. ]

That's not just a Compaq issue: It can happen on ANY computer or
os anywhere. ALWAYS have a recent backup handy of your data
files.
When a machine is borked to start with, anything can happen
when one messes with any of the sytem files and features.
Learn how to backup: This loss is YOUR fault, not Compaq's.

I dislike Compaq also and wouldn't buy one, but for other, much
more legit reasons, such as their OEM software and such. But
they are far from alone in that problem too, so they're among
many I won't touch.
Never buy OEM software if it can be avoided. The extra few
bucks are well worth it for the retail versions.

BUSS!

Pop`



Don't believe it. I saw

 

[POP]

Cripes, was there a point to that or just a senseless gloat?