[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Windows? More Like a Brick Wall here

[issuesbc]

Hmm...this seems more like a problem with Lenovo and their software than it does Windows. Not that I care either way, but I would rather hear legitimate concerns or helpful ideas more than the typical "fanboy" banter.

I ran into a similar problem a year ago with the ThinkVantage Recovery software. I ended up running it about 3 or 4 times before it ran without errors. Since then, I've learned to back everything up with software that is computer hardware vendor and OS independent, and typically use Ghost from my PE disk.

[WinTard]

Brick wall uh?

With all due respects, the most common problem with Windows, is sitting between the chair and keyboard.

The three 'R':
1) Respect of self
2) Respect of others
3) Responsibility for all your actions.
~ The Dalai Lama.

[hawhite]

I learned when upgrading the drive that I should copy both partitions because a lot of computer manufacturers include the setup disks on that partition in one form or another. Also I am never around my disks when I need them.

I have been using Acronis True Image Home, and I have been very pleased. I have set it to make weekly backups of my machine to an external hard drive. The first backup is a full backup and the subsequent ones are incrementals.

[WinTard]

You sir, are a diligent Windows user, and thus you are trouble-free. Because you've earned it. Cheers!

[BCFDFireLt63]

I can definitely feel your pain(i.e. notebook HD upgrade). I am currently in the process of replacing my original 100GB 5400 HD with a 320GB 7200rpm Seagate. I have a Dell E1705 with the maddening Media Direct 2 on an HPA. Did I mention Dell did not supply restore or system disks with my system either? Two weeks of emails to Dell support, 6 different "techies", 2 deleted posts on Dell Forums for questioning Dell's use of the HPA config(must have been a bad idea as Media Direct 3 and above is no longer in a HPA). Told I'm not the owner of my system. Told my system is out of warranty. Reminded them nothing on their web site that states ALL Dell users will be sent (1) one set of recovery/restore disks says anything about fees or the need for an active warranty. I have had the new HD for three weeks and have been unable to even start the nightmare yet due to the fact that Media Direct must be installed first! But I think the CD's are on their way... at least that is what "Techie #5" said in his email. But then again, when I emailed him a thank you, "Techie #6" again reminded me that he was more than happy that my issue had been resolved and would help me with my service, but my warranty had expired! Sorry to post this novella here, but your lament inspired me to vent! LOL

Did I mention.....ARGGGHHHH!!!!!!

[waldojim]

WHY oh why did he HAVE to use the restore disk/utility?

Simple thought here sir... it takes me MORE time to remove the crap from the OS that they include, than it takes me to install windows, add drivers, add apps that I WANT.

It takes me an average of 3 hours to load a system back to where I want it - CLEAN - I never could get everything OFF my HP laptop. I found me a Windows DVD - and reinstalled it all. That ensured I had no HP game manager, no 30 day office trial, no AOL, No trial media manager, trial Photostudio crap.... well you get my point.

It seems to me that you were intentionally making life harder on yourself.

[oldman1]

Sorry to hear about that. The Rescue and Recovery utility has saved me a couple of times from my own mistakes. I'm backing up to a second hard drive however, which the software makes bootable.

[gundark]

You hit the nail on the head, waldojim. The first thing I did with my new Toshiba laptop was insert a Windows disc and performe a clean install, deleting the restore partition in the process. I downloaded all the drivers from the Toshiba website, and installed only the stuff I needed. No trial-ware, no media managers, etc.
After installing AV and firewall, I went to Windows Update and installed all the security updates. Then, I made an image with Acronis.
Now, when the time comes for a fresh start on the laptop, I have a clean system image to start with. Installing apps is easy enough, so I didn't bother with installing apps (other than security) before the image was made.

[rgreen4]

After cleaning up all the crapware on my new HP dv9500 laptop in September, 2007, I did a clone of the drive using Acronis. Those who have been around know that I have clones of all my system drives. The cloning was aided by the fact that the 17" HP laptops have two drive bays, and I made sure to order the second drive when I ordered the machine. Ordering the second drive was $100. Ordering the drive tray, drive connector and screws as a kit from the HP parts department is $140, the spare HD is not in the machine as I ordered a third drive to use for data. The clone is in the closet with the other clones.

I redo the clones about every six months or so, just so the updates don't take too long, especially since all my original Vista installations were pre-SP1, and all the systems now have SP1. I think they are like umbrellas though, for as long as you have them, you probably won't need them, but if you don't have them, you will.

[fastbullet]

Holy cow, 7 DVDs?
I completely agree that now is the time for smug Windoze comments (then again, when is it NOT an appropriate time for a smug windoze comment?), but since you already know this I won't bother. Additionally, I'm rather busy at the moment trying to figure out why flash video has quite working and why I suddenly cannot open the files on the flash drive I've been using on this Ubuntu machine for a year.
While I enjoy using Linux when it works, I'll admit that it is at least as problematic as Windows when it doesn't. It is, after all, still a darn computer.

At any rate, I recently tried to assist a friend who had managed to accumulate 29 forms of Trojans and viruses on his XP machine. Ultimately, it came down to requiring a reinstallation of the OS. Imagine our surprise when, after using an available XP disk (of the exact same Home edition), it would not recognize the key code and complete the installation.
As far as I know, the machine is still imitating a paper weight.

[WinTard]

Hey I do the same thing as you, except with Dell. The Dell 'tray' part is only $10. And I put whatever drive (generally 7200RPM) is on sale at the time (ie 100GB sata $44 usually good enough for cloning). Except I use Ghost with http://netboot.sourceforge.net for these operations. I use Acronis for incremental while system is booted and in use. And I like the pre-activated image, with Dell key you get though utilities such as Belarc or Magical Jelly Bean Software www.magicaljellybean.com/. That key doesn't match the one on the certificate of license sticker but who cares? I also find the Dell CD installs on all Dells, without key and is preactivated. Except if you run sysprep. Point being is I never worry about any keys if you buy big brand like Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba, Dell, HP, or Gateway. Well the software was bought and paid for.

There seems to be some perverse human characteristic that likes to make easy things difficult.
~ Warren Buffett

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
~ Confucius

All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.
~ Galileo Galilei

[rgreen4]

The install disc and the COA used have to be the same series. If you are using the COA that is on the sticker on the machine, list the machines brand and model. From that we may be able to determine the series, and then you will have to locate an install disk of that series. Not all install discs and COA's are compatible.

In addition to the difference between XP Home and XP Pro, you have Full Install, Upgrade and OEM (all three have a different COA series). Then you have the pre-SP1 release, SP1, SP2, SP2a, SP2b and right before the release of SP3, they had to issue SP2c when they ran out of compatible COA numbers. The only difference between SP2, 2a, 2b and 2c is the COA numbers they will recognize.

If the CD is separated from the packaging, there is nothing on the CD to indicate whether it is SP2, SP2a, SP2b or SP2c. It will only state that it includes SP1 or SP2. Thus there are 7 versions of the install disc that comes with XP Pro OEM edition, 7 more for XP Pro Full install. I do not know how many version of the upgrade edition exist, but there are at least three, for there was an upgrade edition of the original release, and I have seen SP1 and have an SP2 version.

Considering all the varieties available, it is not surprising that the install disc does not match the COA. To rescue the machine an investment in a new copy of XP Home. The OEM version of XP Home SP3 is $90 from Newegg.

[fastbullet]

@rgreen4:

Now, THAT was some outstanding & worthwhile information! I truly appreciate that you were willing to share it, as I was completely unaware that there were so darn many installation discs and problems stemming from.

Since It was a friends' 'puter I was helping with, I don't have the information at hand, but I am curious if, with the date of manufacture, is it possible (assuming a factory, unaduterated installation) to ascertain, or narrow down the possibilities?



P.S. I, too, was Naval Aviation (A-6 Intruders). I live in Montgomery, Tx- not far from A&M. Need I say that I like your sig?

[ahawesome]

Brick wall uh?
With all due respects, the most common problem with Windows, is sitting between the chair and keyboard.

Actually, that's the most common problem with any operating system.

[rgreen4]

Actually, depending on the age of the machine, if it is a Dell or HP, the original install disc may be available through the parts departments. The current systems all have a "recovery" partition and you can burn a recovery DVD as long as that partition is intact. This has been the case since 2005-6 systems. Older systems may not have an install disc available, but you don't know until you go on line and check.

One of the reasons that XP had so many versions was that it was the primary Windows OS for over 5 years, and the secondary OS (after the release of Vista) for another year before WIndows discontinued official distribution. However, most versions are still available for now.

If your friend is interested in recovering the PC to operating condition, simply get the details on the machine, and start a post in the Windows section by clicking [here|c-2000] and then clicking on "Start A Discussion". Just list the specs of the machine and what is desired, and see if the many members of the Community can help.

BTW: If you click on the Your Stuff button that should be orange (terrible color indeed), you will be able to access a PM sent to you.

[fastbullet]

Outstanding. I will give him a ring (I'd Email, but...), get the information and get it posted over the weekend.



Again, I want to thank you.