Vista "boot disk" or recovery disk

[Richard Fangnail]

When I had XP, I had a startup problem so I rebooted with a Windows XP
CD that came with the computer. It fixed it.

I'm not sure if this is called a boot or recovery disk, or both.

I was hoping to make a similar disk for my new Vista (Gateway)
computer but I'm not sure how to do it. I read something about an
emergency thing that takes up 3 DVDs!

 

[Richard Fangnail]

I just found a thing called Create Factory Default Disk which is about
8 G total, 3 DVDs.
I'm wondering if there is a simple way to make one disk for rebooting
if Vista gets messed up!

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Not likely, your manufacturer has only provided for a set a of system
recovery disks, not a boot disk.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Vote for my shoe: http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Saucy]

Start > All Programs> Maintenance > Create a System Repair Disc

Saucy

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I just found a thing called Create Factory Default Disk which is about
8 G total, 3 DVDs.
I'm wondering if there is a simple way to make one disk for rebooting
if Vista gets messed up!

It pretty much depends entirely upon the sort of Recovery options your
computer's manufacturer has provided. It is possible for double layer
DVDs to hold slightly over 8 GB of data, so you *might* be able to to
use one of those to create a single Recovery disk. As always in a case
such as yours, consult the computer manufacturer for specific details on
supported Recovery options.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Dave-UK]

Start > All Programs> Maintenance > Create a System Repair Disc

Saucy

That's only good for Windows 7, not Vista.

 

[Saucy]

Oh my goodness, yet another reason to move to Windows 7.

Saucy

 

[Saucy]

Well there's the Vista install disc, a boot disc with the Windows PE
environment, and some manufacturers might create other types of discs.

Some manufacturers prompt the owner of the new computer to back up the
computer's image onto DVD-R - often this might take 3 discs. That's what you
might be holding there, a back up image?

I did some searching and the results were spotty. BartPE seems dated. The
Microsoft how-to describes creating a recovery disc but it seems for
embedded systems. The best bet seems to to be get your hands on a Vista
disc. Or download an evaluation copy of Windows, it should have a boot
environment you could use with Vista:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/trial-software.aspx

Saucy

 

[Richard Fangnail]

Would a boot CD for Vista 64 be different from one for other Vista?

I thought a boot disk was just a bootable disk with the most essential
Windows files. Apparently, not any more.

 

[Saucy]

No, they're not the same. AFAICT, a 64-bit Vista DVD will *not* boot a
computer that doesn't have a CPU that supports 64-bits. You would have to
use the 32-bit Vista DVD to boot a 32-bit computer (known as x86).

Saucy

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, SIW2.

If you click the URL you included, you'll get the page that says, "Get
Windows 7: Windows 7 RC" - but then it has this paragraph:

"Sorry, the Windows 7 RC is no longer available for download. If you’ve got
the download and need a product key, they’ll be available until October 21,
2009."

I don't recall exactly when RC downloads stopped; some time in August, I
think.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

 

[R. C. White]

Ooop! Sorry, SIW2. I just now noticed the date on your post. Win7 RC WAS
available then, but not now.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, SIW2.

That's good to know. Since I switched from Win7 RC to RTM (thanks to MSDN)
back in August, I haven't followed this subject closely. I'm just one guy
with just one computer and don't support other users except in newsgroups,
so I don't learn a lot about some of these things.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64