How do I create a Manufactures Restore Partition? on a new HDD?

[Artreid]

I have a Gateway Desktop 1tb hdd and would like to create restore partition
the way Gateway would have created it when it left the shop. I believe the
create a 5-10 Gg partition with a picture of what the machine look like
(vanilla).

Can any one tell me how to do this myself or point me to instructions? My
think it that it might be as simple as using say, Acropolis to create a full
backup to this 10gg partition.

However, I'm thinking when Gateway does this in its shop it uses something
else that is not reliant on a specific manufacturers software when I
recovery/restore if required. What might Gate use to create a Restore
Partition?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a Gateway Desktop 1tb hdd and would like to create restore
partition the way Gateway would have created it when it left the
shop. I believe the create a 5-10 Gg partition with a picture of
what the machine look like (vanilla).

Can any one tell me how to do this myself or point me to
instructions? My think it that it might be as simple as using say,
Acropolis to create a full backup to this 10gg partition.

However, I'm thinking when Gateway does this in its shop it uses
something else that is not reliant on a specific manufacturers
software when I recovery/restore if required. What might Gate use
to create a Restore Partition?

Ask Gateway?

Seriously - it truly is one of the worst restorations methods out there.
After all you have the backup image of your system, the *way* to restore it,
on the very media you are hoping doesn't go bad. ;-)

My suggestion - get your media CD/DVDs and copy them and tape that copied
set to the inside of the computer case. They stay with the computer within
easy reach in case the worst happens.

How Gateway does what you are wanting to do could be anything. Norton
GoBack maybe.

My suggestion is actually use your internal space for *your* stuff.
Everything else is easily replaceable. Then purchase something like the
Seagate Replica 500GB drive and use it to backup the system - the entire
system - in such a way that not only could you selectively recover a version
of certain types of files but you could even restore the system from a
complete hard disk failure when you put the new drive in... And you didn't
have to waste your internal space and your own time to figure out how to do
it.

 

[Dusko Savatovic]

Lenovo uses similar setup.
However, from inside Windows, they have a wizard that creates recovery media
set on DVD's. It required three DVD disks for complete recovery set
(although it could fit on one boot CD and two DVD's holding split recovery
image in wim format).

Seriously - it truly is one of the worst restorations methods out there.
After all you have the backup image of your system, the *way* to restore
it, on the very media you are hoping doesn't go bad. ;-)

<snip>

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

No idea what Gateway uses but it will no doubt be a third-party imaging
utility which is customised to their own requirements, so you wouldn't
be able to do it their way even if you wanted to.

However, provided the recovery partition is still present and undamaged
on the original hard disk, you can use an imaging program to 'clone'
that entire disk (all partitions) on to a new hard drive. Both drives
would have to be connected to the PC at the same time, of course.

I've never heard of Acropolis software, perhaps you mean Acronis?
That's what I use. It's the only one that's fully Windows 7 compatible
at the moment, which is what I use it for.

I use a similar product, Macrium Reflect, which for me has been more
stable than Acronis. It works without a hitch on my Windows 7 Home
Premium 64-bit computer.

 

[Artreid]

To anyone following this thread:

If you don't know what Gateway used to create the Recovery Partition how
would I go about doing a Restore if the need arouse?

On my current setup I can see a 10 Gg D-drive. When I click on the Restore
folder in that partition I can see only the msg. This folder is empty.
However, when I R-Click Properties on that folder I see it contains three
files (328 Kb). I have know of telling what they are, or how they were
created.

It seems the Restore partition is useless unless you have the software or at
least know what it is to complete a restore?

 

[GS]

Symantec ghost PE boot disk would also work for creating image/restoring
windows 7

Norton Ghost 15 will also work:
http://www.symantec.com/norton/ghost
and can be sued for fikle backup also $70 or so

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

To anyone following this thread:

If you don't know what Gateway used to create the Recovery Partition how
would I go about doing a Restore if the need arouse?

This is a complete non sequitur...

On my current setup I can see a 10 Gg D-drive. When I click on the Restore
folder in that partition I can see only the msg. This folder is empty.
However, when I R-Click Properties on that folder I see it contains three
files (328 Kb). I have know of telling what they are, or how they were
created.

The way to do a restore from the restore partition is to read the
manufacturer's instructions (in your case, that is Gateway).

You computer might have come with a printed manual or quick-start guide
that tells you what to do, or Gateway might have instructions on their
website.

It seems the Restore partition is useless unless you have the software or at
least know what it is to complete a restore?

See what I wrote above...

 

[Billns]

To anyone following this thread:

If you don't know what Gateway used to create the Recovery Partition how
would I go about doing a Restore if the need arouse?

On my current setup I can see a 10 Gg D-drive. When I click on the
Restore folder in that partition I can see only the msg. This folder is
empty. However, when I R-Click Properties on that folder I see it
contains three files (328 Kb). I have know of telling what they are, or
how they were created.

It seems the Restore partition is useless unless you have the software
or at least know what it is to complete a restore?

I can't speak for Gateway, but see your manual or contact them for
information. My HP laptop has a restore partition which can be used to
put the computer back into the as-shipped configuration. HP also
includes a program to make backup CD's or DVD's for the same purpose in
the event the hard disk fails. Generally speaking, the as-shipped
configuration is not what you want as you'll lose all your files and
programs installed after you bought the computer.

That said, the best bet for backup/restoring is an external hard disk
and an Acronis or similar product.

Bill

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

That said, the best bet for backup/restoring is an external hard disk
and an Acronis or similar product.

Coupled with a tendency to actually *use* it

I use Macrium (a "similar product"), but not often enough...

I even backed up my recovery partition to DVD, as recommended by the
manufacturer. However, this computer came with Vista and is now running 7.
How useful are those DVDs now?

 

[Chuck]

How useful are those DVDs now?

Quite useful if you ever want to restore to out of box condition and
sell the computer.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Quite useful if you ever want to restore to out of box condition and
sell the computer.

True - especially if I accidentally (or otherwise) mess up the recovery
partition.

Thanks.