restore CD, what exactly is it?

[williams12345]

It seems that computer manufactures are reducing costs
by supplying less CDs. I want a windows XP
machine that will allow me to rebuild the system from
scratch (after reformatting the disk). I do not want
a CD that only updates system files for an already
existing XP installation.

I see that many computers come with a restore CD.
What exactly is that?
I can imagine several possibilities:
1. A CD that will reload system files, onto an existing
XP installation. This might be used after
a virus has removed critical system files, and you
do not want to install from scratch.
2. An image file (.iso) that will rebuild a system from
scratch (after reformatting the disk).
This is typically an image of the system
after it was built at the factory, with all the
updates and applications.
3. A windows XP CD (from MS).

And, sometimes it is called a recover CD.
Don't know if that is different than a restore CD?

I am looking at emachines, HP, gateway and DELL.
Can you make any general statements regarding their
policy on CDs? Such as: HP always provides
a MS windows CD.

 

[Brian A.]

Restore and/or Recovery CD's supplied by the OEM are used to:

Restore the system to the original factory state when it left the factory.
This will first reformat the drive before reinstalling the OS and apps.

Recover applications that may be corrupt or missing with an over the top
install.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[williams12345]

Brian,
Thanks.
To be clear, a restore/recover CD will do both:
A. Restore a system after reformatting disk.
B. Restore system files on an existing XP system
(This is an over the top install).

 

[bxb7668]

The Dell PC that I bought a few months back came with full software
reinstallation CDs. The Windows XP version was Dell OEM, but it was
still the full CD's.

Brian

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Dell may well be the only vendor on your list that supplies a Windows XP
CD..

 

[Brian A.]

It depends on the manufacturer. IIRC not all manufacturers supply a disk that
does anything other than format/reinstall. Some don't supply a disk at all, yet
store the Recovery/Restore files on a hidden partition.
To mention a few:
Gateway computers now have all of your drivers, applications, and operating
system backup files installed on a protected recovery partition of your hard
drive.
http://support.gateway.com/s/SOFTWARE/Medialess//MLXPH1/MLXPH1asi.shtml

HP PCs that ship with Microsoft Windows XP do not come with recovery CDs.
Instead, they use a hidden space (partition) on the hard drive to store the
recovery information.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&cc=us&product=468947&dlc=en&docname=bph07145

Others have mentioned Dell.




--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Restore or recovery disks are used to quickly re-image your operating system
and software back to your hard drive. Basically they return the system back
to factory state. In other words how it was when you first purchased the pc.
If you want to be in control of the operating system so that you can format
the drive and install the operating system yourself rather than simply
install everything that the manufacturer of yuor pc wants you to, then you
are better off buying a retail boxed copy of windows xp. It does bump up the
price of a new pc though because the retailer won't swap the oem version he
has already installed on the pc for a retail version. He/she will simply
prefer to sell you the boxed retail version. What you do with it after won't
bother the retailer. He/she has imply made another sale.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Dell may well be the only vendor on your list that supplies a
Windows
XP CD..

And if what I've heard recently is true, even they don't do it
anymore.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

That sucks..

 

[RobertVA]

Restore or recovery disks are used to quickly re-image your operating system
and software back to your hard drive. Basically they return the system back
to factory state. In other words how it was when you first purchased the pc.
If you want to be in control of the operating system so that you can format
the drive and install the operating system yourself rather than simply
install everything that the manufacturer of yuor pc wants you to, then you
are better off buying a retail boxed copy of windows xp. It does bump up the
price of a new pc though because the retailer won't swap the oem version he
has already installed on the pc for a retail version. He/she will simply
prefer to sell you the boxed retail version. What you do with it after won't
bother the retailer. He/she has imply made another sale.

All the more reason to buy a generic custom built.

 

[GTS]

- HP does not provide any media. There is a hidden partition on the hard
drive for restore. This is, of course, useless in the event of a hard drive
crash and a thoroughly unacceptable practice in my view.
- Dell used to provide a true XP CD (OEM version), and discontinued the
practice several months ago, with some exceptions for the business division.
They provide a one time mechanism to burn an OS CD and, allegedly, will
provide one free on request.
- EMachines - used to provide media. Don't know currently.

Vendor recovery disks and partitions vary and you have to research the
specifics. Some recovery media will only perform a full destructive
reinstall and others may be used for repair or reinstall.

The failure to provide a standard OS CD is a practice all consumers should
complain about loudly. It may be needed for troubleshooting (like a boot to
System Restore), users are cheated out of optional components (like ntbackup
for XP HOME), hidden partitions are useless in a disk failure, etc. etc. It
is widely believed that this practice is due, in part, to pressure from
Microsoft no to include media that could possibly be pirated, though
specifics on this are hard to come by. Clearly it is also driven by profit
for the manufacturer to save a few dollars. I appreciate the tight margins
in the business, but this is a little like not including a spare tire and
jack with a new car.

 

[Sharon F]

And if what I've heard recently is true, even they don't do it
anymore.

If I understood that recent thread correctly, I think you can still get the
Dell OEM CD (the OEM generic install with Dell name on it) if you request
it specifically.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

If I understood that recent thread correctly, I think you can
still
get the Dell OEM CD (the OEM generic install with Dell name on
it) if
you request it specifically.

Thanks, Sharon. do you know if it's free or is there a charge for
it?

 

[Sharon F]

Thanks, Sharon. do you know if it's free or is there a charge for
it?

Keep in mind my memory is not the best but I think it was said: recovery
disk set at time of order $10 and OEM XP CD free (can request anytime).

(One of the MVPs posted the details in winxp.general after asking their
source at Dell for details. So if my recollection is wrong, the right info
is there somewhere.)

A friend of mine posted in that same thread that he received an OEM XP CD
by request. There was a $29 "charge" on his account to document the
order/shipment but no invoice issued.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Keep in mind my memory is not the best but I think it was said:
recovery disk set at time of order $10 and OEM XP CD free (can
request anytime).

(One of the MVPs posted the details in winxp.general after
asking
their source at Dell for details. So if my recollection is
wrong, the
right info is there somewhere.)

A friend of mine posted in that same thread that he received an
OEM
XP CD by request. There was a $29 "charge" on his account to
document
the order/shipment but no invoice issued.

Thanks, Sharon.



Ken Blake

(e-mail address removed)