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Actual Backup Help needed
Topic Started: Jun 15 2013, 04:58 AM (45 Views)
Trotsky
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Big City Boy
Okay,

So we got the DELL laptop from the Senior Center. DP has seen using it for e-mail and basically one file for theater comps. I set him up with a USB thumbnail flash drive that he uses in the laptop and can take it to the center and plug it into their desktop when he volunteers there. So he uses it as his own personal "hard drive."

Now my question:
Like most computers these days, the laptop shipped without any backup software and I suppose we need to make our own RESTORE DISCS.
I have been remiss and a couple months have gone by since the computer was "virginal."
Can I count on there being a file on that computer that is the "restore to original" that I can load onto some DVD as protection against the spit hitting the fan.

On my desktop, I did it the first day, but I am worried that the couple months of fiddling with the laptop might have changed the settings. What do you think, is there still a RESTORE partition or set of files I can offload? I really only fiddle with the laptop when I hear partner scream for HELP.

(I really should not have procrastinated but all my spare thought time is devoted cardiac-wise. I'm having trouble thinking about much else.)
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Delphi51
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Yes, there will be a restore partition or some means of writing a set of restore DVDs. The restore from partition option shows up in a boot menu after you press some function key early in the boot up. The backup disk option if it exists will be in the start menu - system tools. Do it now! It might not let you do it more than once so pay attention to what disks are needed and plan to be home for several hours before you start writing disks.

Windows 7 has a disk image writing feature that works with a restore option in the startup menu to restore your computer including programs and data. Also worth a few DVDs and some time.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/4241/how-to-create-a-system-image-in-windows-7/
Edited by Delphi51, Jun 15 2013, 05:50 AM.
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Trotsky
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Big City Boy
Thank you Delphi.

My desktop "restore to as bought condition" took 4 DVD's so I will be ready since the laptop is also a Win 7 installation, with far less original software/detritus.
The laptop is a much slower machine so I will be ready with the timeframe.


So now all I gotta do is find the restore files.


Backing up anything since the laptop was new is of no use to me. I think the only thing I added was FAVORITES...all the rest is on the thumbnail drive. I just must make sure I have a means of restoring the SYSTEM.
Edited by Trotsky, Jun 15 2013, 06:07 AM.
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Delphi51
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You won't need to find the restore files. Just use the feature for creating the backup. Something like start - accessories - system tools - backup - create system backup. I imagine many of the files that go on the cd are created on the fly. If it has this feature, it should have reminded you to do it every time you booted it up until you told it to stop. Most people lose the backup disks so the backup partition is probably the more useful feature even though you lose the partition in a hard drive failure.
Edited by Delphi51, Jun 15 2013, 05:24 PM.
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