|
|
|
Be Prepared! Don't
Skip This!
|
|
|
Create
"Restore Disks" before the
failure - Like NOW!
|
|
| Short
Version: |
| In
the case of a failure of the
hard drive or other issue that
destroys the operating
system
(Windows), it is necessary
(after any hardware
failure is corrected) to
put everything back on the
computer so it will be
functional. If a
computer doesn't come with
restore disks to be used
to put the computer back
to the state it was in
when it was new, then
there should be a utility
on the computer to create
them. This
needs to be done before a
failure is encountered!
We can't give
specific instructions
here, because different
manufacturers use
different utilities and
methods for creating these
disks. If the
utility can't be found in
the start menu, the
manufacturers website or Google
is a good source for
assistance. If you still
can't find it or figure it
out, drop us a line (ASK-A-GEEK)
and as time permits we will
see if we can assist
you. Please include the
brand and model of your
computer. |
| Detailed
Version: |
| Among
geeks, it is a common saying
that it isn't a question of if
the hard
drive
fails, but rather when the
hard drive fails. Hard
drives are mechanical devices
and all hard drives will
eventually fail.
Depending on the nature of the
failure, all information on
the hard drive - programs as
well as user data (documents,
pictures, videos, etc.) - may be
lost. Software related
failures or malware
infections may have the same
result. This doesn't
need to be catastrophic - if
the user is prepared. |
Once a catastrophic
failure occurs, there are several
steps that must be taken to
restore the computer to full
functionality.
- If
the failure was caused by
a hardware failure, the
hardware must be repaired
or replaced.
- The
computer operating
system
(Windows) and applications
are restored to the
original, brand-new state
- just as it was when it
was first
purchased.
- All
of the user data from the
backup media is copied to
the hard drive. (You are
backing up your data,
aren't you?)
- Any
user preferences must be
manually reset by the
user.
|
| Some
manufacturers provide a
collection of CD-ROM Disks
with the computer. One
or more of these disks will
format the hard drive and
install the operating system
and device drivers for various
hardware components.
Other disks re-install the
additional programs that were
provided with the computer
when purchased. |
| Other
manufacturers provide a
"restore" disk that
can be used to format the hard
drive and put the operating
system and all of the software
programs that were provided
with the computer at time of purchase. The end result
is that when the computer is
powered on, all is like it was
when the computer was new. |
| Finally,
some manufacturers provide a
restoration utility on a
"restoration
partition" on the hard
drive. This utility is
generally accessed by pressing
a specific key sequence prior
to the system booting to
windows. The idea is
that if the operating system
becomes corrupt and will not
boot, the user can boot to
this restoration partition to
repair or reload the operating
system. Unfortunately,
if the hard drive has failed
and been replaced, the
restoration partition has
already been lost.
However, if there is a
restoration partition, the
manufacturer should also
provide a utility to produce
restore disks from the
restoration partition.
Of course, this needs to be
done before a failure
occurs. DO IT NOW!
We can't give specific
instructions here, because
different manufacturers use
different utilities and
methods for creating these
disks. If the utility
can't be found in the start
menu, the manufacturers
website or Google
is a good source for
assistance. If you still
can't find it or figure it
out, drop us a line (ASK-A-GEEK)
and as time permits we will
see if we can assist
you. Please include the
brand and model of your
computer. |
| Summary: |
| It
is more than likely that at
some point in time you will
experience a catastrophic
event which will result in the
corruption of the operating
system, programs, and data on
your computer. If proper
steps are taken before this
happens, then this event
doesn't have mean that you
will spend large amounts of
time and money in attempting
to restore your computer to
service and recovering your
data. |
|
| |
| |
| |
|
