Updated recovery CD?

[Knack]

I don't have a Microsoft WinXP CD. Instead, my HP Pavilion computer system
came with a utility that can create only a single set of recovery CDs that
are capable of restoring the system to its original factory configuration.
However, I have installed so much new hardware, software, and updates on
this system that an emergency repair of an unbootable condition would not be
desirable if that means restoring it to its original configurations.

I do not yet have an external HDD, so what I need now is something similar
to the old ERD of WinNT4, except on a bootable CD instead of a floppy
diskette; or essentially like the HP Recovery CD, except updated to the
current configuration. Is there a way for me to burn such an updated
bootable recovery CD that is capable of repairing damaged system files?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

I don't have a Microsoft WinXP CD. Instead, my HP Pavilion computer
system came with a utility that can create only a single set of
recovery CDs that are capable of restoring the system to its original
factory configuration. However, I have installed so much new
hardware, software, and updates on this system that an emergency
repair of an unbootable condition would not be desirable if that
means restoring it to its original configurations.
I do not yet have an external HDD, so what I need now is something
similar to the old ERD of WinNT4, except on a bootable CD instead of
a floppy diskette; or essentially like the HP Recovery CD, except
updated to the current configuration. Is there a way for me to burn
such an updated bootable recovery CD that is capable of repairing
damaged system files?

What would you want this bootable <object> to actually run, or do, once you
booted up with it? There are plenty of bootable utility CDs you can create
to run various system tests, whatnot, but they aren't going to do anything
to recover your hard drive's existing configuration if it's blown up.

I'd personally recommend you get an external usb-attached hard drive (they
are really not expensive; and you can easily build your own if you buy a
drive & a caddy for same) and look into something like Acronis to image your
computer on a regular basis. This works very well.

 

[Knack]

I understand that there is no substitute for a completely separate HDD for
backup or imaging/cloning purposes in case of physical or logical damage to
the system partition. So I'm definitely going to be obtaining a pair of new
USB2 external HDDs very soon; one for file periodic file backup and another
for periodic disk-to-disk cloning.

However, in the past (on another system) I had a tendency not to do such
chores often enough, and somehow even the auto-scheduled backups were not
always getting done on time. One problem was that the external USB2 HDD was
usually left in an unpowered state, which disables an automaticly scheduled
backup. Another problem was that the USB2 external HDD caused the system's
standby/hibernate/shutdown to hang if it wasn't manually switched off first.

Another management problem is that I have a tendency not to insert Restore
Points at times when they really should go in.

I just did some research and downloaded the utilities Erunt and Ntregopt.
Perhaps that will take care of registry corruption due to various
misinstallations of drivers, etc.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

I understand that there is no substitute for a completely separate
HDD for backup or imaging/cloning purposes in case of physical or
logical damage to the system partition. So I'm definitely going to be
obtaining a pair of new USB2 external HDDs very soon; one for file
periodic file backup and another for periodic disk-to-disk cloning.

However, in the past (on another system) I had a tendency not to do
such chores often enough, and somehow even the auto-scheduled backups
were not always getting done on time.

Well, if you go for Acronis, I know it can do scheduled jobs on its own -
not recreating the entire image, either. Just deltas.

One problem was that the
external USB2 HDD was usually left in an unpowered state, which
disables an automaticly scheduled backup.

Well, I guess the obvious answer there is, leave it powered on!

Another problem was that
the USB2 external HDD caused the system's standby/hibernate/shutdown
to hang if it wasn't manually switched off first.

It shouldn't - but if it does, manually shut it off first.
I tend to disable standby/hibernate power settings on desktops (and for
laptops running on AC).
Also, I'd disable power save mode in the USB device properties in Device
Manager (root hub or wherever).

Another management problem is that I have a tendency not to insert
Restore Points at times when they really should go in.

You can change that behavior, certainly

I just did some research and downloaded the utilities Erunt and
Ntregopt. Perhaps that will take care of registry corruption due to
various misinstallations of drivers, etc.

It might.

But there is no substitute for backups - nothing you've described is
insurmountable if you a) have the right kit and b) make a few changes in
your habits. I'd say they're well worth changing if you're really concerned
about keeping your system safe.

If it isn't something you're inclined to change, but you are willing to
spend a little cash, you might look into some of the online backup companies
like www.intronis.com.

 

[Pop`]

I don't have a Microsoft WinXP CD. Instead, my HP Pavilion computer
system came with a utility that can create only a single set of
recovery CDs that are capable of restoring the system to its original
factory configuration. However, I have installed so much new
hardware, software, and updates on this system that an emergency
repair of an unbootable condition would not be desirable if that
means restoring it to its original configurations.
I do not yet have an external HDD, so what I need now is something
similar to the old ERD of WinNT4, except on a bootable CD instead of
a floppy diskette; or essentially like the HP Recovery CD, except
updated to the current configuration. Is there a way for me to burn
such an updated bootable recovery CD that is capable of repairing
damaged system files?

It sounds like the first thing you need to do is backup your entire system
wiht something that can copy files in use (XP backup can). DVDs are your
best choice if you don't hve an external drive yet.

 

[Knack]

It sounds like the first thing you need to do is backup your entire system
wiht something that can copy files in use (XP backup can). DVDs are your
best choice if you don't hve an external drive yet.

Such a DVD-R would have to be readable and copy-paste functions operable
from a separately bootable CD. Can the Recovery Console of a Windows XP CD
access a DVD-R disk after the Windows XP CD is removed from the DVD drive?

I'm aware that there is a bootable Linux CD named Knoppix. Don't know if it
can copy-paste from a DVD-R.

 

[Pop`]

Such a DVD-R would have to be readable and copy-paste functions
operable from a separately bootable CD. Can the Recovery Console of a
Windows XP CD access a DVD-R disk after the Windows XP CD is removed
from the DVD drive?
I'm aware that there is a bootable Linux CD named Knoppix. Don't
know if it can copy-paste from a DVD-R.

Yes. No. Maybe. <g>
It depends on the cd burning application you have. e.g. Roxio 5 which is
supplied with many machines can do that. It sets things up so that you use
the CD as you would any other drive except you cannot delete things on it to
recover any space.
When you're done adding files to the CD, you "close" it, meaning it gets
set up to be read in any other standard CD reader. Until it's closed, only
the application that created it can read it - proprietary format at that
point.

NERO, which has a free version can also do what you need, I think, but I
have no experience with it so know nothing of how it works. Many others
like it though and I've even seen a few say it's better than Roxio; ymmv
obviously.

I haven't played with Knoppix in a long, long time but it might be worth
your checking out, too, if only for the education. It's a great learning
tool, IMO. And quite useful in some cases for windows problems.

Not much finite help there, but HTH,
Pop`