How to re-intall Vista

  • Thread starter Thread starter Huib
  • Start date Start date
H

Huib

Hi,
I have to re-install Vista, and as i have no experience with it i would like
to receive some advice from the experts.

-I can use the F11 function key during start-up and choose via options
systemrecovery (original resetting)
-I suppose that using Recovery Manager will do the same.
I saw there is a possibility to perform a back-up: what kind of back-up is
it (i didn't dare to go further).

I have a C-partition (SW), D-partition (data) & an E-partition
(HP-recovery).
What is really happening?
-only re-installing the SW (i suppose from de E-partition)?
-is my data lost?
-how to recovery e-mails...
-using the CD-recovery is probably only necessary after a HDD-crash?

Is it saver to use an external HDD to take first a back-up?

You see on my questions that i never have done it.
Any advice is welcome

Regards
Huib
 
Hi.

I don´t know what HP-Recovery-what-ever will do to your PC. There is always
a risk that it will totally destroy all on your disk. It always a good strike
to take a Full Backup (ie. Copy all your data) to a External Drive before
reinstallation.

If you are reistalling from a DVD, it´s almost the same as with XP. You will
get choises of "Repair", Reinstall" and where you want to do it. You can
decide if you want to keep the old installation or remove it etc. I will
always suggest that you make a clean installation instead of repairing an
old. You can reinstall all your programs (Of course it is licensed apps. and
you have the Installation Media...:)). The only thing you will loose forever
is your Data Files that you created yuorself.

//Ulv
 
Hi,
Thanks for the advice.
I had a feeling that the data could be lost.
If i receive the possibility to perform a repair would it have any change in
my case?
The reason of the re-install is that sometthing went rond when trying to
install my scanner HP 4570c via the CD
HP-was very helpfull and they came to the final conclusion that i have to
re-install the Vista.

I suppose with a repair really only the SW is affected and all data and even
other installed SW is not changed (correct?).
In that case i should say why not trying it (of course i still will first
back-up my data for security).

Regards
Huib
 
If i receive the possibility to perform a repair would it have any change in
my case?
Click to expand...

A "Repair" will repair or replace damaged files in the Operating System. My
personal experience tells me that most of the times it will have no effect at
all. In most cases the error seems to be in Windows Registry and will still
be there after a Repair..
The reason of the re-install is that sometthing went rond when trying to
install my scanner HP 4570c via the CD
HP-was very helpfull and they came to the final conclusion that i have to
re-install the Vista.
Click to expand...

Without knowing, I get a feeling that you have a Compability Problem with
the driver for your scanner. But, as i just said, I really don´t know what
could have caused your error.
I suppose with a repair really only the SW is affected and all data and even
other installed SW is not changed (correct?).
Click to expand...

That is correct when you talk about a regulary Windows CD. As I mentioned in
my first reply I have no idea what "Hp-Recovery-What-Ever-They-Call-It" will
do.
In that case i should say why not trying it (of course i still will first
back-up my data for security).
Click to expand...

Yeah! Ride On! ;) Repair is the easy way out, and if it works I will take my
hat off and congratulate you! ;) It have never worked for me, but it´s
definitly worth a try! After a BU of course.

//Ulv
 
Hi,
Thanks, one of the coming days i will take the risk and for sure after first
having taken a BU.
Just for your information: my scanner problem is not a compability problem,
everybody who didn't use the CD can work it in a reduced mode with that
type.
I cleaned the whole registry: HP did a complete controle via the phone and
we can only suppose that some SW became corrupted after having used the CD.
That is why maybe a repair can help?
I cross my fingers.

Many thanks for your advice.
Regards
Huib
 
Huib said:
Hi,
I have to re-install Vista, and as i have no experience with it i would
like to receive some advice from the experts.
Click to expand...

Huib,
I did a successful "repair" install yesterday following this tutorial from
newsgroup contributor "brink." This requires the use of the Vista OS disk
provided by HP. Mine was a Dell XP-to-Vista Premium Upgrade disc. I backed
up everything first but it proved unnecessary. All settings, files, etc.
were untouched by the repair. It is the first link that will be of interest
to you:

Repair install :
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Clean Upgrade install :
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install.html

Notes: Don't be confused by the number 64 in the website's name; these
directions are correct for Vista 32-bit. Also, at no time in the process do
you click a button that says "repair." The (correct) choice that's
presented is "upgrade."
 
No problem, Mate!
Where are you located? Drop a mail, otherwise we´ll soon be Of Topic! :=)
 
Interesting! My experience is that those "Recovery Partitions" oc "Recovery
CD:s" most of the time mess everyting up. Well, even the manufactors must
learn some time..! >-)> I will take a look at those URL:s. They might come
handy one of these days!

//Ulv
 
I strongly recommend that you do an online chat with HP support before you
do anything. Also think about and perhaps create a text file in Notepad
listing important information that will come up.

I think your system first booted up with just a C: partition with Vista
installed on it and a D: partition with the recovery stuff. So you need to
be prepared to tell them how you added the data partition. If they don't
know that, then they won't be able to tell you whether their backup will
backup your data, or how to get around that problem. The nice thing with
doing the online chat is that when it is done, they email the entire
conversation to you (and you can use control-A to select the entire
conversation and copy it to a local file), so that you can re-read the info
and decide whether you have more questions that need to be answered. Having
questions & info in a text file makes it quick and easy to copy and paste
stuff into the chat window, using well thought out questions and accurate
info.

I think HP's website has a link that walks you through the recovery
procedure, displaying the screens you will see. Its very helpful to review
this when making up your list of questions.

-Paul Randall
 
Hi,
I have a laptop and didn't receive a CD from HP.
I had to make one myself (a recovery CD) and i think (far from sure) that i
have only to use it after a Disk-crash as ik have a recovery partition (E)
on my hard disk...
So, i am not that sure.
Regards
Huib
 
Hi,
HP was intended to guide me on the phone to peform a restart ...but as i was
a afraid i ask them what to do:
-for sure not using the CD
-via F11 / options / systemrestore / and then i stopped.... a backup can be
selected (what it means i don't know)

Thanks Paul for the idea, i will ask a full procedure on paper by HP so i
can become more confident...

Regards
Huib
 
Repair install is completely different from recovery partitions.

Repair install is typically done from an OS installation disc. It replaces
damaged system files and
who knows what else. It typically doesn't mess up any settings or destroy
any data.

Use of Recovery discs and partitions typically completely wipes out your C:
so you can start over, and may affect other drives -- I suppose this varies
from one brand to another. The purpose is to return your system to its 'out
of the box' condition.

People typically don't have both options, although some manufacturers like
Dell may provide both. You must have an OS installation disc to do the
Repair Install. Many manufacturers, like HP, provide the recovery partition
and the capability to make one set of equivalent recovery discs, but don't
provide an OS installation disc. I don't know if one can be purchased. I
believe you could copy a friend's OEM installation disc to do the Repair
Install. I don't know if the anytime upgrade disc can be used for Repair
Install.

-Paul Randall
 
Thanks Paul,
Your comments and others are very clear.
Although i had no prove at all, you convinced me: i can do no repair...with
my recovery disk (CD or E:partition).
Meanwhile i contacted already the HP-support group and i am looking forward
for there comments.

Many thanks
Huib
 
Huib said:
Hi,
HP was intended to guide me on the phone to peform a restart ...but as i
was a afraid i ask them what to do:
-for sure not using the CD
-via F11 / options / systemrestore / and then i stopped.... a backup can
be selected (what it means i don't know)

Thanks Paul for the idea, i will ask a full procedure on paper by HP so i
can become more confident...

Regards
Huib
Click to expand...

I just did a restore on an HP desktop suing their recovery utility. The
desktop does not have a recovery disk from HP, it uses the recovery utility
and the recovery partition (partition "D") of the hard drive. When starting
the process it does offer you the opportunity to do a backup as you have
found. That is so you can backup any data you want before the process
begins. The recovery will restore your computer to the condition it was in
when you took it out of the box. Any programs and data you put on the
system will be gone. It's a fairly simple process.

The option to create a recovery disk offers you the chance to be able to
restore your system to the condition it was in at the time you created the
disks. With the HP recovery, you recover it to original factory condition,
with the restore disks you restore it to the condition the computer was in
at the time. For example, I recovered the HP to it's factory condition.
Then I loaded all my programs and personalized the system. I then create
restore disk(s). When I use those to recover my system, my programs and
settings will be retained along with any data I may have had on my system
when I made the disks.
 
I believe you are mistaken about the ability of Recovery Disks you make with an
HP computer to return the computer to the state it was in at the time you made
the Recovery Disks -- even those disks will return the computer to a factory
shipped condition and you will loose all data, settings and programs you have
installed since receiving the computer.
 
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