Re: Windows versions CD
- From: "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:26:04 -0600
"Bob Harris" <rharris270[SPAM]@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:u$OAVePaJHA.4852@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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.
"Mom and Pop" stores are only authorized to sell generic OEM versions of XP.
The only usability difference between that and the retail version is that
its stuck to one PC only for the life of the license. MS support, I don't
consider a usability factor. Repair installs are operative with generic OEM
XP installation CDs.
The closest thing to "erase everything" during XP installation is removal of
all existing partitions.
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.
Pure and simple. Image the backup of the initial XP installation to
removable media that is accessible by the imaging program during a potential
restore. Store that media in a cool, dark place marked for its purpose.
Test the restoration before storing.
Similar with subsequent PC use, but, a removable hard drive is suggested for
that as target. Again, it must be accessible during a potential
restoration. Test the iniitial backup by restoration first, don't assume.
Personal files, where ever they are located should be incorporated with such
an image backup. If such personal files are important enough for the
effort, multiple methods and locations for saving should be also be used.
Archives should be stored off the PC, not used for long term storage.
--
Dave
"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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