System Restore

[wallie]

My computer came with Windows 7 Home Edition pre-installed.
If my system became corrupt will I be able to use Windows Restore without the Windows 7 disk?

wallie

[SuperSparks]

If you mean System Image Backup, then you can use it without a Windows DVD, but you must make a Recovery Disc at the end when prompted. Or you can make one independently from the left-hand pane of Backup.

If you mean System Restore, then the same thing applies, you would be best off making the Recovery disc.

[jdc2000]

Post the make and model of your computer. If no Windows disk was supplied, chances are there is a recovery partition, and likely some installed software to make a recovery CD. You may also be able to order one. Another option is to make a hard drive image file with some imaging software like Acronis.

[wallie]

Packard Bell iExtreme X6620UK

I tried the free version of Macrium and had problems when using the Boot CD.
But managed to get back to windows.

wallie

[wallie]

If you mean System Image Backup, then you can use it without a Windows DVD, but you must make a Recovery Disc at the end when prompted. Or you can make one independently from the left-hand pane of Backup.

If you mean System Restore, then the same thing applies, you would be best off making the Recovery disc.

What is the difference between Backup and Restore?
Please enlighten me on Windows Restore, my thinking is that if the operating system became corrupted you could use a recovery disk and a restore point to get it back, to me that seems what Windows Backup does also.

Thanks
wallie

[SpywareDr]

Backup: A copy of computer data, as a file or the contents of a hard drive; also: the act or an instance of making a backup.

Restore: To put back into existence or use, (into a former or original state).

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What is System Restore?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...System-Restore

System Restore helps you restore your computer's system files to an earlier point in time. It's a way to undo system changes to your computer without affecting your personal files, such as e-mail, documents, or photos.

Sometimes, the installation of a program or a driver can cause an unexpected change to your computer or cause Windows to behave unpredictably. Usually, uninstalling the program or driver corrects the problem. If uninstalling doesn't fix the problem, you can try restoring your computer's system to an earlier date when everything worked correctly.

System Restore uses a feature called system protection to regularly create and save restore points on your computer. These restore points contain information about registry settings and other system information that Windows uses. You can also create restore points manually. For information about creating restore points, see Create a restore point.

System image backups stored on hard disks can also be used for System Restore, just like the restore points created by system protection. Even though system image backups contain both your system files and personal data, your data files will not be affected by System Restore. For more information about system images, see What is a system image?

System Restore isn't intended for backing up personal files, so it cannot help you recover a personal file that has been deleted or damaged. You should regularly back up your personal files and important data using a backup program. For more information about backing up personal files, see Back up your files.

• Open System Restore by clicking the Start button. In the search box, type System Restore, and then, in the list of results, click System Restore. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

For more information about system protection, see What is system protection?

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What are the system recovery options in Windows 7?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...s-in-Windows-7

[wallie]

I went into Windows Backup and Restore to do a backup onto an external drive.
A message came up: Your last backup did not complete successfully. Your files have not been backed up.
So I selected Change Settings, a box came up with a list of backup destination drived I chose a different external USB drive, pressed Next in the next box I selected Let Windows Choose and selected Save settings and exit.
Now I am back in the Backup and Restore your files dialog box I select Backup Now and the message comes up at the bottom of the screen:
Check your backup your last backup did not complete successfully click to Troubleshoot.
With the option to change the backup settings, which I have already done.
Is there a way to start afresh? I had already deleted the last backup.
wallie

[SpywareDr]

What happens if you click "Troubleshoot"?

[wallie]

Informs me to change the backup settings, which I had already done previously.
Then somewhere along the line I remembered it had informed me about an error in my Libraries
I have just been checking my libraries and one was displaying an error message, it was empty so I deleted it.
Now I have tried Backup again and its doing a backup now.
Thanks for your help.

[SpywareDr]

Excellent.

Let us know if it's successful or not?

[wallie]

Boy this backup is going to take some time, its been running 3 hours now and its about one third of way.
In the Backup and Restore dialog box alonside contents it states:
Files in libraries and personal folders for all users and system image.
I am the only user so do you know if the above means it is backing up all the folders my libraries are pointing to which are on an external drive?

wallie

[SuperSparks]

That means it is not only backing up your files, but is making a complete system image backup as well. The good news is that not only will you be able to restore Windows if you have a serious problem, but after this backup is done, it won't take anywhere near as long on subsequent occasions.

[SpywareDr]

Boy this backup is going to take some time, its been running 3 hours now and its about one third of way.

Yep, especially if you're trying to back up gadzillions of gigs through something as slow as USB 2.0 or slower.

Recommend setting it up to run overnight.

[wallie]

It took about 9 hours it was 210gb, but the main thing it was successful.
I have set the backup schedule for once a week, will this just backup anything done since the backup before?
I hope so I dont fancy 9 hour stints every time.

Also when I done the last unsuccessful backup I also burnt the Repair disk, will this still be o/k or should I burn another?

Thanks
wallie

[SpywareDr]

It took about 9 hours it was 210gb, but the main thing it was successful.

I agree.

I have set the backup schedule for once a week, will this just backup anything done since the backup before?
I hope so I dont fancy 9 hour stints every time.

I call that an Incremental backup. And yes, most backup software includes that option.

Also when I done the last unsuccessful backup I also burnt the Repair disk, will this still be o/k or should I burn another?

Only way to know for sure would be to test it.

I'd probably go ahead and make another just to be sure.