Re: Windows versions CD

The best way to get a CD (or DVD if Vista) is to build the PC yourself, or
to buy the PC through a mom&pop computer store, which custom makes PCs. In
either case you will need to choose between an OEM version of the operating
system or a retail version. The OEM version is cheaper, but does not
support a repair install, only a clean install. "clean install" means
format first, install second. Format means erase everything. Additionally,
OEM versions are good for one PC, meaning one motherboard. Retail versions
can be moved to other PCs or motherboards, so long as only one copy is
activated at a time.

If you wish to stick with major brands (e.g., Dell, Gateway, Compaq), then
ask carefully how they handle the need to reinstall. If the dealer says
that will never be required, walk away or hang up.

The most common recovery option for major brands is a hidden partition with
an image of the C:\drive as it was shipped to you. This may be accesses via
a boot menu, some special key combination, or possibly via a bootable CD.
Such an image is OK for minor software problems, but may not allow recovery
from a severe virus, which changes the partition table or boot record. It
will clearly be of no use if the hard drive fails. Of course, the
manufacturer could send you a new hard drive, with software pre-installed.
The only question is at what price, assuming that they are still in
business.

An alternative to the above is to get your own disk imaging program and make
occasional backups of internal hard drive to an external hard drive (or
DVDs, etc). This procedure is really only needed for the operating system
and installed programs. Your personal files can be backed up by a simple
copy&paste, or via the command line tool called XCOPY. Further, you
probably should backup personal files daily, using an incremental backup
scheme. The OS and programs can be backed up less often, perhaps monthly.
I usually do this just before the Microsoft updates, since they have been a
primary cause of problems on my PC. The secondary cause for me has been
power outages, leading to corrupted data. Hardware failures rate third
(failing video card caused blue screens with corrupted data). I have never
had a virus or similar do damage, but then I have antivirus, firewall,
adware protection, and practice safe browsing and email usage. (Now I also
wait a few days after patch Tuesday to see whether anyone is having
problems, and to let Microsoft patch the patches, before installing them.)

In terms of efficient backups, there is an advantage to multiple partitions.
Have the OS and installed programs on their own partition, usually C:\.
Then, have a separate partition for data, D:\. You might also want a
scratch partition, E:\, which you do not backup, for things like temporary
storage while processing movies. The pagefile could also be on this scratch
partition. You might even want a backup partition (not hidden), or a
separate backup hard drive, internal to the PC. This would allow very fast
backups, and thus you might do them more often. However, it should not be
your sole backup location, since all internal drives are vulnerable to a
virus or a power surge. Still, for bad installs/uninstalls on the primary
hard drive, having an image internal to the PC can be very handy.


"SS" <nonense50@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:CMI5l.91899$3Q.12134@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It doesn`t affect me yet (but will eventually) but I have noticed through
friends that when they upgrade or get a new laptop they do not get a CD
for windows as it is pre installed.
What does one do if there is a need for reformatting the hard drive? Or
for example in a tower unit the hard drive went bust.

I am interested for future reference.
thanks



.

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