B
bob
Is there any utility built into Vista or XP to allow one to create a
complete system restore DVD?
complete system restore DVD?
H
housetrained
Yes. windows E - right click 'C' - properties - tools - backup - look in
left hand column - create image backup or words to that effect.
M
Manny Weisbord
housetrained said:
Try again. That one was wrong.
J
John Barnett MVP
You can't create system restore DVDs in either Vista or XP. You can 'image'
your hard drive so that you can re-install everything simply by inserting a
backup DVD but this requires third party software such as Acronis True
Image. Vista Ultimate does have Complete PC Backup software but it isn't
something I would trust.
--
--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience
Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
your hard drive so that you can re-install everything simply by inserting a
backup DVD but this requires third party software such as Acronis True
Image. Vista Ultimate does have Complete PC Backup software but it isn't
something I would trust.
--
--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience
Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
H
housetrained
Manny Weisbord said:
works ok here
B
Bruce Chambers
housetrained said:
Wrong. While that allows one to backup the files on the hard drive, it
most definitely does not create anything remotely resembling a "complete
system restore DVD."
--
Bruce Chambers
Help us help you:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin
Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell
The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
M
Manny Weisbord
housetrained said:
It backs things up, bozo... but it does NOT create a "system restore
DVD".
C
Canuck57
I wonder if Win 7 will come with the ability to fully recover so this sore
point will be addressed.
J
John Barnett MVP
Not at the moment it doesn't Canuk57, and as Windows 7 is now feature
complete I doubt that it will.
--
--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience
Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
complete I doubt that it will.
--
--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience
Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
D
Dave
The Windows 7 I'm testing (build 7077 Ultimate) has an option to "Create a
system image" (to another drive, to DVDs or to a network location).
You can also "Create a system repair disc", which will allow you to boot up
and restore the above image.
I used it on one of my PCs and it worked very well.
It may not come on all versions, though.
system image" (to another drive, to DVDs or to a network location).
You can also "Create a system repair disc", which will allow you to boot up
and restore the above image.
I used it on one of my PCs and it worked very well.
It may not come on all versions, though.
H
housetrained
Exactly rightDave said:
C
Chad Harris
Manny Weisbord said:
What up Manny--
It's right here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chadharris16/
Actually "it" absolutely does create a System Restore DVD ultimately
because it has the option besides backup to create a system repair dvd which
is in fact, a Startup Repair DVD and System Restore is one of the options
there if you have a restore point. If you have a dual boot or multiboot,
and you boot to the other drive, you will lose restore points so you have to
be careful to go back and setup at least one in that case.
But the wording is different in the left hand pane.
1) What you do is click "Backup and Restore" or you can reach it at the
Control Panel as well>in the left hand pane under Control Panel Home which
is going to be there from either location click the second listed
option>Create a System Repair Disk.
2) I'm operating in Windows 7. In Vista SP1 RTM this option was supposed to
be on All Programs by clicking Maintenance and at the last second MFST
(probably their marketing or business arm) had it jerked from the RTM on the
All Programs menu. I don't know if Vista RTM SP1 RTM option has this at
Backup, but I do know that it has this application /utility present for sure
in the C:\Windows\System32 folder and after a UAC/Security tab tweak after
right clicking the app in the System32 folder>properties>security tab to get
full admin privileges it's usable in Vista SP1.
3) If the OP doesn't want to take the 3 minutes to do the security tab tweak
in Vista SP1, he can simply download the .iso from the link below and try
the System Restore option from Startup Repair's Advanced option list or he
can try the options I've listed below the link:
Download Vista Repair Disk
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/
1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair. If you have a Vista DVD then
restart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run Startup
Repair. From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chance
of fixing your system. If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot to
Startup Repair, no problem, Download the .iso from the link below and
burn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with Startup
Repair.
Download Vista Repair Disk
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/
How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you make:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial142.html
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx
2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootrec
commands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:
The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.
http://vistahomepremium.windowsreinstall.com/repairstartup/repairstartup.htm
Those are:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuild BCD
3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from the
Startup Repair list.
4) If by rare chance you have an actual Vista DVD, you can put it in, boot
from it>choose the Upgrade Option>choose your current broken Vista Drive and
try to do a repair install with the Vista DVD.
How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html
5) If the above 3 tools don't work, then use the 4 tools available by
restarting your pc and tapping F8 once per second to get to the Windows
Advanced Options Menu.
From this menu click on 3 Safe Mode links to use System Restore. Make sure
you try all 3 if one doesn't work, because just one of them may work.
Tap F8 to Reach Windows Advanced Options Menu Pictured Below:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/...ank/techbliss/Vista-Advanced-Boot-Options.jpg
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command: At the prompt you would type the command to use
forsystem restore at the safe mode cmd prompt is:
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
If these 3 tools don't work, you have one more you can try which is Last
Known Good Configuration.
Good luck,
CH
C
Chad Harris
Hi John--
Yes you can create a system repair disk in Vista, but they hid the way in
Vista SP1 and if you can find out from someone at Redmond why they pulled it
off the All Programs menu at the last minute and hid it in the System 32
folder requiring one of two UAC/Security tab tweaks, I'd be interested in
hearing. I definitely plan to reach out to some key people on the now
Windows 7 teams who make it, and Mr. Sinofsky to find out why they did such
a completely user unfriendly thing--they pulled the application which is
really recdisc.exe in the System 32 folder in Vista SP1 after getting some
feedback from some of us on the Vista Beta that they need to provide the Win
RE/Startup Repair panoply of tools for easy access for the end user, almost
all of whom do not receive a Vista DVD with the purchase of an OEM box.
Lionell Manchaka blooged right here below that all Dell buyers would get
one, but Dell has renigged and since Lionel is on Twitter @ Lionel at Dell
http://twitter.com/Lionel@dell. Even Oprah can tweet so I expect I can, I
plan to tweet ole Lionel who is VP of Digital Media at Dell and ask him
exactly why his promise was not kept. Oprah's getting her fan base to tweet
has probably diluted the value of Twitter now, but that's for another time
and place. If you're in the UK I don't know if you see Oprah. She's Oprah
the Tweeter now.
Lionel Manchaca's Broken Promise
http://direct2dell.org/one2one/archive/2006/10/17/3132.aspx
Ask Lionel Manchaca why he broke the promise above
http://twitter.com/LionelatDell
Why in fact, Microsoft pulled it off the All Programs menu where many of
their current MVPs who are Desktop MVPs and Shell MVPs can't locate it and
didn't know it was there until we are trying to educate them about it is a
good question I plan to ask some key people since finding out the answer is
more fun than the Amazing Race although not as lucrative and scenic. Also
if Microsoft did choose to bury it in the System 32 folder and it doesn't
take any Blue Badge unhide tweaks to use it, why they went for months
without discovering it needed UAC/permission tweaks is with all respect due,
a colossal screwup in the Beta and the testing by the team members involved
in making it. See Below:
The Win RE team also posted ways to install it in Vista back in 2006 and
2007. See Below:
http://blogs.msdn.com/winre/archive/2007/01/12/how-to-install-winre-on-the-hard-disk.aspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/winre/archive/2006/12/12/creating-winre-using-waik.aspxYes you can create a system repair disk in Vista, but they hid the way inVista SP1 and if you can find out from someone at Redmond why they pulled itoff the All Programs menu at the last minute and hid it in the System 32folder requiring one of two UAC/Security tab tweaks, I'd be interested inhearing. I definitely plan to reach out to some key people on the nowWindows 7 teams who make it, and Mr. Sinofsky to find out why they did sucha completely user unfriendly thing--they pulled the application which isreally recdisc.exe in the System 32 folder in Vista SP1 after getting somefeedback from some of us on the Vista Beta that they need to provide the WinRE/Startup Repair panoply of tools for easy access for the end user, almostall of whom do not receive a Vista DVD with the purchase of an OEM box.Lionell Manchaka blooged right here below that all Dell buyers would getone, but Dell has renigged and since Lionel is on Twitter @ Lionel at Dellhttp://twitter.com/Lionel@dell. Even Oprah can tweet so I expect I can, Iplan to tweet ole Lionel who is VP of Digital Media at Dell and ask himexactly why his promise was not kept. Oprah's getting her fan base to tweethas probably diluted the value of Twitter now, but that's for another timeand place. If you're in the UK I don't know if you see Oprah. She's Oprahthe Tweeter now.Lionel Manchaca's Broken Promise http://direct2dell.org/one2one/archive/2006/10/17/3132.aspx Ask Lionel Manchaca why he broke the promise above http://twitter.com/LionelatDell***In fact you can obtain a Startup Repair Disk from Vista SP1.*** Yes youcan!! Gosh darn it!! you betcha!!! And like ole Sarah whose state has abillion dollar deficit she is ill-equipped to address, , you can "see itfrom here." We've had this discussion at length last week, although I don'tthink you or John were in on that particular thread. At the very leastVista SP1 has an application or utility (call it whatever your favephilosopher has shaped you to call it--MSFT calls it an application in theSystem 32 folder--and it will make a Startup Repair Disk. What I"dappreciate if you'd take a look and see for me because I no longer have anyof my boxes booting Vista--they all keep getting builds of Windows 7 and Itook my screenshots from Win 7, is if you go to Control Panel or Right ClickComputer in Vista>Backup>do you see the option to create a Startup RepairDisk with the full panoply of Startup Repair menu options as I've shown onmy flickr pics?At the very least in Vista, I know that this application/utility does lurkin Vista SP1 and later System 32, but in Vista you have to go to System 32and then you have to tweak it from the security tab so that you haveownership. Why Microsoft chose to jerk this from the All Programs Menuwhere it lived in Beta interim builds of Vista SP1 and hide it in the System32 folder on RTM is a very good question. That is, I don't see red headedLauren or the cute kids in the MSFT "I'm a PC--not kuell enough for a Mac oraffluent enough) finding this in the System 32 folder. Since many usefultools or there, I always make it a point to go there and look in each newbuild of the Win OS I get my hands on.I suspect MSFT decided to make this hard to find in Vista SP1 because theyfeared they would not sell enough retail Vista DVDs. I am trying to findout from assorted members of the storage team, Mr. Sinofsky, and some otherpeople at Redmond.They sure put it back in 4 locations in Windows 7 however, at least in thelatest builds and I screenshot it above:1) On the All Programs Menu2) At the Control Panel>Backup and Restore>Create a System Repair Disk3) Right click Computer on the Start Menu>Backup and Restore>Create a SystemRepair Disk4) In the C:\Windows\System 32 folder. Of course if you are multibooting,the drive letter may change accordingly but it is absolutely there I know inVista, just as I screenshot it below. I don't have my hands on a Vista boxthis moment, to look at Control Panel Backup, or Rt. click Computer andlook fr it, so I'd appreciate it if you'd do that for me.At Vista in the System 32 folder you find recdisc.exe and tweak its securityeither of a couple ways--and here I wonder since MSFT did deposit it in thisnon-intuitive location for the eight year olds in their commercials why theydidn't at least alpha test it and realize that they were making it requiresecurity tab tweaks (I mean after all, they did have about 23 or so Vistabeta builds, so that would imply they could test the thing at least onceduring the Beta of Vista SP1. This makes the claim that obsessive testingand meticulous bug reporting and more testing is done a bit disingenuous atleast for this particular feature. People must have let them know about itas they craft Windows 7. I hope to make sure it stays in Windows 7 at alllocations. It no longer has a UAC tweak requirement. If you're using VistaSP1 the UAC tweak at System 32 recdisc.exe is:Right click Properties>security tab>edit>put a check in allboxes>close>reopen and you should be good to go.orRight click Properties>security tab>Advanced button>Ownertab>edit button>put a check in "replace subcontainers and objects">otherusers button>type user name you want to have the perimission in the box orsimply "users">ok>apply>ok on the advanced security settings dialogue box.That's why I just wrote:It's right here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/chadharris16/Actually "it" absolutely does create a System Restore DVD ultimatelybecause it has the option besides backup to create a system repair dvd whichis in fact, a Startup Repair DVD and System Restore is one of the optionsthere if you have a restore point. If you have a dual boot or multiboot,and you boot to the other drive, you will lose restore points so you have tobe careful to go back and setup at least one in that case.But the wording is different in the left hand pane.1) What you do is click "Backup and Restore" or you can reach it at theControl Panel as well>in the left hand pane under Control Panel Home whichis going to be there from either location click the second listedoption>Create a System Repair Disk.2) I'm operating in Windows 7. In Vista SP1 RTM this option was supposed tobe on All Programs by clicking Maintenance and at the last second MFST(probably their marketing or business arm) had it jerked from the RTM on theAll Programs menu. I don't know if Vista RTM SP1 RTM option has this atBackup, but I do know that it has this application /utility present for surein the C:\Windows\System32 folder and after a UAC/Security tab tweak afterright clicking the app in the System32 folder>properties>security tab to getfull admin privileges it's usable in Vista SP1.3) If the OP doesn't want to take the 3 minutes to do the security tab tweakin Vista SP1, he can simply download the .iso from the link below and trythe System Restore option from Startup Repair's Advanced option list or hecan try the options I've listed below the link
ownload Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair. If you have a Vista DVD thenrestart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run StartupRepair. From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chanceof fixing your system. If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot toStartup Repair, no problem, Download the .iso from the link below andburn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with StartupRepair.Download Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you make:http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tut...c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootreccommands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.http://vistahomepremium.windowsreinstall.com/repairstartup/repairstartup.tmThose are:bootrec /fixmbrbootrec /fixbootbootrec /rebuild BCD3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from theStartup Repair list.4) If by rare chance you have an actual Vista DVD, you can put it in, bootfrom it>choose the Upgrade Option>choose your current broken Vista Drive andtry to do a repair install with the Vista DVD.How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vistahttp://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html5) If the above 3 tools don't work, then use the 4 tools available byrestarting your pc and tapping F8 once per second to get to the WindowsAdvanced Options Menu.From this menu click on 3 Safe Mode links to use System Restore. Make sureyou try all 3 if one doesn't work, because just one of them may work.Tap F8 to Reach Windows Advanced Options Menu Pictured Below:http://media.photobucket.com/image/...techbliss/Vista-Advanced-Boot-Options.jpgSafe ModeSafe Mode with NetworkingSafe Mode with Command: At the prompt you would type the command to useforsystem restore at the safe mode cmd prompt is:%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exeIf these 3 tools don't work, you have one more you can try which is LastKnown Good Configuration.Good luck,CH
C
Chad Harris
Hi Bob--
It's not in XP. It's in Vista SP1 ridiculously and non-intuitively located
in System 32 pulled from the SP1 Beta where it was conveniently located on
the All Programs Menu and it's in every build of Windows 7 to this moment.
I'll show you this below.
Why in fact, Microsoft pulled it off the All Programs menu where many of
their current MVPs who are Desktop MVPs and Shell MVPs can't locate it and
didn't know it was there until we are trying to educate them about it is a
good question I plan to ask some key people since finding out the answer is
more fun than the Amazing Race although not as lucrative and scenic. Also
if Microsoft did choose to bury it in the System 32 folder and it doesn't
take any Blue Badge unhide tweaks to use it, why they went for months
without discovering it needed UAC/permission tweaks is with all respect due,
a colossal screwup in the Beta and the testing by the team members involved
in making it. See Below:
The Win RE team also posted ways to install it in Vista back in 2006 and
2007. See Below:
http://blogs.msdn.com/winre/archive/2007/01/12/how-to-install-winre-on-the-hard-disk.aspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/winre/archive/2006/12/12/creating-winre-using-waik.aspxYes you can create a system repair disk in Vista, but they hid the way inVista SP1 and if you can find out from someone at Redmond why they pulled itoff the All Programs menu at the last minute and hid it in the System 32folder requiring one of two UAC/Security tab tweaks, I'd be interested inhearing. I definitely plan to reach out to some key people on the nowWindows 7 teams who make it, and Mr. Sinofsky to find out why they did sucha completely user unfriendly thing--they pulled the application which isreally recdisc.exe in the System 32 folder in Vista SP1 after getting somefeedback from some of us on the Vista Beta that they need to provide the WinRE/Startup Repair panoply of tools for easy access for the end user, almostall of whom do not receive a Vista DVD with the purchase of an OEM box.Lionell Manchaka blooged right here below that all Dell buyers would getone, but Dell has renigged and since Lionel is on Twitter @ Lionel at Dellhttp://twitter.com/Lionel@dell. Even Oprah can tweet so I expect I can, Iplan to tweet ole Lionel who is VP of Digital Media at Dell and ask himexactly why his promise was not kept. Oprah's getting her fan base to tweethas probably diluted the value of Twitter now, but that's for another timeand place. If you're in the UK I don't know if you see Oprah. She's Oprahthe Tweeter now.Lionel Manchaca's Broken Promise http://direct2dell.org/one2one/archive/2006/10/17/3132.aspx Ask Lionel Manchaca why he broke the promise above http://twitter.com/LionelatDell***In fact you can obtain a Startup Repair Disk from Vista SP1.*** Yes youcan!! Gosh darn it!! you betcha!!! And like ole Sarah whose state has abillion dollar deficit she is ill-equipped to address, , you can "see itfrom here." We've had this discussion at length last week, although I don'tthink you or John were in on that particular thread. At the very leastVista SP1 has an application or utility (call it whatever your favephilosopher has shaped you to call it--MSFT calls it an application in theSystem 32 folder--and it will make a Startup Repair Disk. What I"dappreciate if you'd take a look and see for me because I no longer have anyof my boxes booting Vista--they all keep getting builds of Windows 7 and Itook my screenshots from Win 7, is if you go to Control Panel or Right ClickComputer in Vista>Backup>do you see the option to create a Startup RepairDisk with the full panoply of Startup Repair menu options as I've shown onmy flickr pics?At the very least in Vista, I know that this application/utility does lurkin Vista SP1 and later System 32, but in Vista you have to go to System 32and then you have to tweak it from the security tab so that you haveownership. Why Microsoft chose to jerk this from the All Programs Menuwhere it lived in Beta interim builds of Vista SP1 and hide it in the System32 folder on RTM is a very good question. That is, I don't see red headedLauren or the cute kids in the MSFT "I'm a PC--not kuell enough for a Mac oraffluent enough) finding this in the System 32 folder. Since many usefultools or there, I always make it a point to go there and look in each newbuild of the Win OS I get my hands on.I suspect MSFT decided to make this hard to find in Vista SP1 because theyfeared they would not sell enough retail Vista DVDs. I am trying to findout from assorted members of the storage team, Mr. Sinofsky, and some otherpeople at Redmond.They sure put it back in 4 locations in Windows 7 however, at least in thelatest builds and I screenshot it above:1) On the All Programs Menu2) At the Control Panel>Backup and Restore>Create a System Repair Disk3) Right click Computer on the Start Menu>Backup and Restore>Create a SystemRepair Disk4) In the C:\Windows\System 32 folder. Of course if you are multibooting,the drive letter may change accordingly but it is absolutely there I know inVista, just as I screenshot it below. I don't have my hands on a Vista boxthis moment, to look at Control Panel Backup, or Rt. click Computer andlook fr it, so I'd appreciate it if you'd do that for me.At Vista in the System 32 folder you find recdisc.exe and tweak its securityeither of a couple ways--and here I wonder since MSFT did deposit it in thisnon-intuitive location for the eight year olds in their commercials why theydidn't at least alpha test it and realize that they were making it requiresecurity tab tweaks (I mean after all, they did have about 23 or so Vistabeta builds, so that would imply they could test the thing at least onceduring the Beta of Vista SP1. This makes the claim that obsessive testingand meticulous bug reporting and more testing is done a bit disingenuous atleast for this particular feature. People must have let them know about itas they craft Windows 7. I hope to make sure it stays in Windows 7 at alllocations. It no longer has a UAC tweak requirement. If you're using VistaSP1 the UAC tweak at System 32 recdisc.exe is:Right click Properties>security tab>edit>put a check in allboxes>close>reopen and you should be good to go.orRight click Properties>security tab>Advanced button>Ownertab>edit button>put a check in "replace subcontainers and objects">otherusers button>type user name you want to have the perimission in the box orsimply "users">ok>apply>ok on the advanced security settings dialogue box.That's why I just wrote:It's right here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/chadharris16/Actually "it" absolutely does create a System Restore DVD ultimatelybecause it has the option besides backup to create a system repair dvd whichis in fact, a Startup Repair DVD and System Restore is one of the optionsthere if you have a restore point. If you have a dual boot or multiboot,and you boot to the other drive, you will lose restore points so you have tobe careful to go back and setup at least one in that case.But the wording is different in the left hand pane.1) What you do is click "Backup and Restore" or you can reach it at theControl Panel as well>in the left hand pane under Control Panel Home whichis going to be there from either location click the second listedoption>Create a System Repair Disk.2) I'm operating in Windows 7. In Vista SP1 RTM this option was supposed tobe on All Programs by clicking Maintenance and at the last second MFST(probably their marketing or business arm) had it jerked from the RTM on theAll Programs menu. I don't know if Vista RTM SP1 RTM option has this atBackup, but I do know that it has this application /utility present for surein the C:\Windows\System32 folder and after a UAC/Security tab tweak afterright clicking the app in the System32 folder>properties>security tab to getfull admin privileges it's usable in Vista SP1.3) If the OP doesn't want to take the 3 minutes to do the security tab tweakin Vista SP1, he can simply download the .iso from the link below and trythe System Restore option from Startup Repair's Advanced option list or hecan try the options I've listed below the link
ownload Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair. If you have a Vista DVD thenrestart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run StartupRepair. From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chanceof fixing your system. If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot toStartup Repair, no problem, Download the .iso from the link below andburn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with StartupRepair.Download Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you make:http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tut...c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootreccommands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.http://vistahomepremium.windowsreinstall.com/repairstartup/repairstartup.tmThose are:bootrec /fixmbrbootrec /fixbootbootrec /rebuild BCD3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from theStartup Repair list.4) If by rare chance you have an actual Vista DVD, you can put it in, bootfrom it>choose the Upgrade Option>choose your current broken Vista Drive andtry to do a repair install with the Vista DVD.How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vistahttp://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html5) If the above 3 tools don't work, then use the 4 tools available byrestarting your pc and tapping F8 once per second to get to the WindowsAdvanced Options Menu.From this menu click on 3 Safe Mode links to use System Restore. Make sureyou try all 3 if one doesn't work, because just one of them may work.Tap F8 to Reach Windows Advanced Options Menu Pictured Below:http://media.photobucket.com/image/...techbliss/Vista-Advanced-Boot-Options.jpgSafe ModeSafe Mode with NetworkingSafe Mode with Command: At the prompt you would type the command to useforsystem restore at the safe mode cmd prompt is:%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exeIf these 3 tools don't work, you have one more you can try which is LastKnown Good Configuration.Good luck,CH
C
Chad Harris
Hi John--
It's right here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chadharris16/
Win 7 has had this feature at 4 locations in every build since December
through right now. I don't expect them to remove it, and I'm trying to get
confirmation from the teams involved and Mr. Sinofsky that they won't. I
don't see them screwing up the way they did when they hid it and required a
UAC tweak when they buried it where you haven't found it until now at System
32 as recdisc.exe.
We've had this discussion at length last week, although I don't think you or
John were in on that particular thread. At the very least Vista SP1 has an
application or utility (call it whatever your fave philosopher has shaped
you to call it--MSFT calls it an application in the System 32 folder--and it
will make a Startup Repair Disk. What I"d appreciate if you'd take a look
and see for me because I no longer have any of my boxes booting Vista--they
all keep getting builds of Windows 7 and I took my screenshots from Win 7,
is if you go to Control Panel or Right Click Computer in Vista>Backup>do you
see the option to create a Startup Repair Disk with the full panoply of
Startup Repair menu options as I've shown on my flickr pics?
Why in fact, Microsoft pulled it off the All Programs menu where many of
their current MVPs who are Desktop MVPs and Shell MVPs can't locate it and
didn't know it was there until we are trying to educate them about it is a
good question I plan to ask some key people since finding out the answer is
more fun than the Amazing Race although not as lucrative and scenic. Also
if Microsoft did choose to bury it in the System 32 folder and it doesn't
take any Blue Badge unhide tweaks to use it, why they went for months
without discovering it needed UAC/permission tweaks is with all respect due,
a colossal screwup in the Beta and the testing by the team members involved
in making it. See Below:
Yes you can create a system repair disk in Vista, but they hid the way in
Vista SP1 and if you can find out from someone at Redmond why they pulled it
off the All Programs menu at the last minute and hid it in the System 32
folder requiring one of two UAC/Security tab tweaks, I'd be interested in
hearing. I definitely plan to reach out to some key people on the now
Windows 7 teams who make it, and Mr. Sinofsky to find out why they did such
a completely user unfriendly thing--they pulled the application which is
really recdisc.exe in the System 32 folder in Vista SP1 after getting some
feedback from some of us on the Vista Beta that they need to provide the Win
RE/Startup Repair panoply of tools for easy access for the end user, almost
all of whom do not receive a Vista DVD with the purchase of an OEM box.
Lionell Manchaka blooged right here below that all Dell buyers would get
one, but Dell has renigged and since Lionel is on Twitter @ Lionel at Dell
http://twitter.com/Lionel@dell. Even Oprah can tweet so I expect I can, I
plan to tweet ole Lionel who is VP of Digital Media at Dell and ask him
exactly why his promise was not kept. Oprah's getting her fan base to tweet
has probably diluted the value of Twitter now, but that's for another time
and place. If you're in the UK I don't know if you see Oprah. She's Oprah
the Tweeter now.
Lionel Manchaca's Broken Promise
http://direct2dell.org/one2one/archive/2006/10/17/3132.aspx
Ask Lionel Manchaca why he broke the promise above
http://twitter.com/LionelatDell
The Win RE team also posted ways to install it in Vista back in 2006 and
2007. See Below:
http://blogs.msdn.com/winre/archive/2007/01/12/how-to-install-winre-on-the-hard-disk.aspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/winre/archive/2006/12/12/creating-winre-using-waik.aspxIt's not in XP. It's in Vista SP1 ridiculously and non-intuitively locatedin System 32 pulled from the SP1 Beta where it was conveniently located onthe All Programs Menu and it's in every build of Windows 7 to this moment.I'll show you this below.Why in fact, Microsoft pulled it off the All Programs menu where many oftheir current MVPs who are Desktop MVPs and Shell MVPs can't locate it anddidn't know it was there until we are trying to educate them about it is agood question I plan to ask some key people since finding out the answer ismore fun than the Amazing Race although not as lucrative and scenic. Alsoif Microsoft did choose to bury it in the System 32 folder and it doesn'ttake any Blue Badge unhide tweaks to use it, why they went for monthswithout discovering it needed UAC/permission tweaks is with all respect due,a colossal screwup in the Beta and the testing by the team members involvedin making it. See Below:The Win RE team also posted ways to install it in Vista back in 2006 and2007. See Below:http://blogs.msdn.com/winre/archive/2007/01/12/how-to-install-winre-on-the-hard-disk.aspx http://blogs.msdn.com/winre/archive/2006/12/12/creating-winre-using-waik.aspxAt the very least in Vista, I know that this application/utility does lurkin Vista SP1 and later System 32, but in Vista you have to go to System 32and then you have to tweak it from the security tab so that you haveownership. Why Microsoft chose to jerk this from the All Programs Menuwhere it lived in Beta interim builds of Vista SP1 and hide it in the System32 folder on RTM is a very good question--not to my philosophy (or BertrandRussell and Alfred North Whitehead's very user friendly. That is, I don'tsee red headed Lauren or the cute kids in the MSFT "I'm a PC--not kuellenough for a Mac or affluent enough) finding this in the System 32 folder.Since many useful tools or there, I always make it a point to go there andlook in each new build of the Win OS I get my hands on.I suspect MSFT decided to make this hard to find in Vista SP1 because theyfeared they would not sell enough retail Vista DVDs. I am trying to findout from assorted members of the storage team, Mr. Sinofsky, and some otherpeople at Redmond.They sure put it back in 4 locations in Windows 7 however, at least in thelatest builds and I screenshot it above:1) On the All Programs Menu2) At the Control Panel>Backup and Restore>Create a System Repair Disk3) Right click Computer on the Start Menu>Backup and Restore>Create a SystemRepair Disk4) In the C:\Windows\System 32 folder. Of course if you are multibooting,the drive letter may change accordingly but it is absolutely there I know inVista, just as I screenshot it below. I don't have my hands on a Vista boxthis moment, to look at Control Panel Backup, or Rt. click Computer andlook for it, so I'd appreciate it if you'd do that for me.At Vista in the System 32 folder you find recdisc.exe and tweak its securityeither of a couple ways--and here I wonder since MSFT did deposit it in thisnon-intuitive location for the eight year olds in their commercials why theydidn't at least alpha test it and realize that they were making it requiresecurity tab tweaks (I mean after all, they did have about 23 or so Vistabeta builds, so that would imply they could test the thing at least onceduring the Beta of Vista SP1. This makes the claim that obsessive testingand meticulous bug reporting and more testing is done a bit disingenuous atleast for this particular feature. People must have let them know about itas they craft Windows 7. I hope to make sure it stays in Windows 7 at alllocations. It no longer has a UAC tweak requirement. If you're using VistaSP1 the UAC tweak at System 32 recdisc.exe is:Right click Properties>security tab>edit>put a check in allboxes>close>reopen and you should be good to go.orRight click Properties>security tab>Advanced button>Ownertab>edit button>put a check in "replace subcontainers and objects">otherusers button>type user name you want to ave the perimission in the box orsimply "users">ok>apply>ok on the advanced security settings dialogue box.That's why I just wrote:It's right here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/chadharris16/Actually "it" absolutely does create a System Restore DVD ultimatelybecause it has the option besides backup to create a system repair dvd whichis in fact, a Startup Repair DVD and System Restore is one of the optionsthere if you have a restore point. If you have a dual boot or multiboot,and you boot to the other drive, you will lose restore points so you have tobe careful to go back and setup at least one in that case.But the wording is different in the left hand pane.1) What you do is click "Backup and Restore" or you can reach it at theControl Panel as well>in the left hand pane under Control Panel Home whichis going to be there from either location click the second listedoption>Create a System Repair Disk.2) I'm operating in Windows 7. In Vista SP1 RTM this option was supposed tobe on All Programs by clicking Maintenance and at the last second MFST(probably their marketing or business arm) had it jerked from the RTM on theAll Programs menu. I don't know if Vista RTM SP1 RTM option has this atBackup, but I do know that it has this application /utility present for surein the C:\Windows\System32 folder and after a UAC/Security tab tweak afterright clicking the app in the System32 folder>properties>security tab to getfull admin privileges it's usable in Vista SP1.3) If the OP doesn't want to take the 3 minutes to do the security tab tweakin Vista SP1, he can simply download the .iso from the link below and trythe System Restore option from Startup Repair's Advanced option list or hecan try the options I've listed below the link
ownload Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair. If you have a Vista DVD thenrestart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run StartupRepair. From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chanceof fixing your system. If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot toStartup Repair, no problem, Download the .iso from the link below andburn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with StartupRepair.Download Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you make:http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tut...c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootreccommands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.http://vistahomepremium.windowsreinstall.com/repairstartup/repairstartup.htmThose are:bootrec /fixmbrbootrec /fixbootbootrec /rebuild BCD3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from theStartup Repair list.4) If by rare chance you have an actual Vista DVD, you can put it in, bootfrom it>choose the Upgrade Option>choose your current broken Vista Drive andtry to do a repair install with the Vista DVD.How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vistahttp://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html5) If the above 3 tools don't work, then use the 4 tools available byrestarting your pc and tapping F8 once per second to get to the WindowsAdvanced Options Menu.From this menu click on 3 Safe Mode links to use System Restore. Make sureyou try all 3 if one doesn't work, because just one of them may work.Tap F8 to Reach Windows Advanced Options Menu Pictured Below:http://media.photobucket.com/image/...techbliss/Vista-Advanced-Boot-Options.jpgSafe ModeSafe Mode with NetworkingSafe Mode with Command: At the prompt you would type the command to useforsystem restore at the safe mode cmd prompt is:%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exeIf these 3 tools don't work, you have one more yu can try which is LastKnown Good Configuration.Good luck,CH
C
Chad Harris
Bruce--
The priest would have killed less philosophers if they were a lot more
headsup, and Bertrand Russell would certainly have included this application
and screenshots in Principia Mathematica, if he had known two other
mathematicians named Gates and Ballmer (Harvard Math Prizes 1st and 2nd
place in between going to see "Singing in the Rain" off the Harvard campus.
It's right here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chadharris16/
***In fact you can obtain a Startup Repair Disk from Vista SP1.*** Yes you
can!! Gosh darn it!! you betcha!!! And like ole Sarah whose state has a
billion dollar deficit she is ill-equipped to address, , you can "see it
from here." We've had this discussion at length last week, although I don't
think you or John were in on that particular thread. At the very least
Vista SP1 has an application or utility (call it whatever your fave
philosopher has shaped you to call it--MSFT calls it an application in the
System 32 folder--and it will make a Startup Repair Disk. What I"d
appreciate if you'd take a look and see for me because I no longer have any
of my boxes booting Vista--they all keep getting builds of Windows 7 and I
took my screenshots from Win 7, is if you go to Control Panel or Right Click
Computer in Vista>Backup>do you see the option to create a Startup Repair
Disk with the full panoply of Startup Repair menu options as I've shown on
my flickr pics?
The Win RE team also posted ways to install it in Vista back in 2006 and
2007. See Below:
http://blogs.msdn.com/winre/archive/2007/01/12/how-to-install-winre-on-the-hard-disk.aspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/winre/archive/2006/12/12/creating-winre-using-waik.aspxYes you can create a system repair disk in Vista, but they hid the way inVista SP1 and if you can find out from someone at Redmond why they pulled itoff the All Programs menu at the last minute and hid it in the System 32folder requiring one of two UAC/Security tab tweaks, I'd be interested inhearing. I definitely plan to reach out to some key people on the nowWindows 7 teams who make it, and Mr. Sinofsky to find out why they did sucha completely user unfriendly thing--they pulled the application which isreally recdisc.exe in the System 32 folder in Vista SP1 after getting somefeedback from some of us on the Vista Beta that they need to provide the WinRE/Startup Repair panoply of tools for easy access for the end user, almostall of whom do not receive a Vista DVD with the purchase of an OEM box.Lionell Manchaka blooged right here below that all Dell buyers would getone, but Dell has renigged and since Lionel is on Twitter @ Lionel at Dellhttp://twitter.com/Lionel@dell. Even Oprah can tweet so I expect I can, Iplan to tweet ole Lionel who is VP of Digital Media at Dell and ask himexactly why his promise was not kept. Oprah's getting her fan base to tweethas probably diluted the value of Twitter now, but that's for another timeand place. If you're in the UK I don't know if you see Oprah. She's Oprahthe Tweeter now.Lionel Manchaca's Broken Promise http://direct2dell.org/one2one/archive/2006/10/17/3132.aspx Ask Lionel Manchaca why he broke the promise above http://twitter.com/LionelatDellAt the very least in Vista, I know that this application/utility does lurkin Vista SP1 and later System 32, but in Vista you have to go to System 32and then you have to tweak it from the security tab so that you haveownership. Why Microsoft chose to jerk this from the All Programs Menuwhere it lived in Beta interim builds of Vista SP1 and hide it in the System32 folder on RTM is a very good question--not to my philosophy (or BertrandRussell and Alfred North Whitehead's very user friendly. That is, I don'tsee red headed Lauren or the cute kids in the MSFT "I'm a PC--not kuellenough for a Mac or affluent enough) finding this in the System 32 folder.Since many useful tools or there, I always make it a point to go there andlook in each new build of the Win OS I get my hands on.I suspect MSFT decided to make this hard to find in Vista SP1 because theyfeared they would not sell enough retail Vista DVDs. I am trying to findout from assorted members of the storage team, Mr. Sinofsky, and some otherpeople at Redmond.They sure put it back in 4 locations in Windows 7 however, at least in thelatest builds and I screenshot it above:1) On the All Programs Menu2) At the Control Panel>Backup and Restore>Create a System Repair Disk3) Right click Computer on the Start Menu>Backup and Restore>Create a SystemRepair Disk4) In the C:\Windows\System 32 folder. Of course if you are multibooting,the drive letter may change accordingly but it is absolutely there I know inVista, just as I screenshot it below. I don't have my hands on a Vista boxthis moment, to look at Control Panel Backup, or Rt. click Computer andlook for it, so I'd appreciate it if you'd do that for me.At Vista in the System 32 folder you find recdisc.exe and tweak its securityeither of a couple ways--and here I wonder since MSFT did deposit it in thisnon-intuitive location for the eight year olds in their commercials why theydidn't at least alpha test it and realize that they were making it requiresecurity tab tweaks (I mean after all, they did have about 23 or so Vistabeta builds, so that would imply they could test the thing at least onceduring the Beta of Vista SP1. This makes the claim that obsessive testingand meticulous bug reporting and more testing is done a bit disingenuous atleast for this particular feature. People must have let them know about itas they craft Windows 7. I hope to make sure it stays in Windows 7 at alllocations. It no longer has a UAC tweak requirement. If you're using VistaSP the UAC tweak at System 32 recdisc.exe is:Right click Properties>security tab>edit>put a check in allboxes>close>reopen and you should be good to go.orRight click Properties>security tab>Advanced button>Ownertab>edit button>put a check in "replace subcontainers and objects">otherusers button>type user name you want to have the perimission in the box orsimply "users">ok>apply>ok on the advanced security settings dialogue box.That's why I just wrote:It's right here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/chadharris16/Actually "it" absolutely does create a System Restore DVD ultimatelybecause it has the option besides backup to create a system repair dvd whichis in fact, a Startup Repair DVD and System Restore is one of the optionsthere if you have a restore point. If you have a dual boot or multiboot,and you boot to the other drive, you will lose restore points so you have tobe careful to go back and setup at least one in that case.But the wording is different in the left hand pane.1) What you do is click "Backup and Restore" or you can reach it at theControl Panel as well>in the left hand pane under Control Panel Home whichis going to be there from either location click the second listedoption>Create a System Repair Disk.2) I'm operating in Windows 7. In Vista SP1 RTM this option was supposed tobe on All Programs by clicking Maintenance and at the last second MFST(probably their marketing or business arm) had it jerked from the RTM on theAll Programs menu. I don't know if Vista RTM SP1 RTM option has this atBackup, but I do know that it has this application /utility present for surein the C:\Windows\System32 folder and after a UAC/Security tab tweak afterright clicking the app in the System32 folder>properties>security tab to getfull admin privileges it's usable in Vista SP1.3) If the OP doesn't want to take the 3 minutes to do the security tab tweakin Vista SP1, he can simply download the .iso from the link below and trythe System Restore option from Startup Repair's Advanced option list or hecan try the options I've listed below the link
ownload Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair. If you have a Vista DVD thenrestart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run StartupRepair. From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chanceof fixing your system. If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot toStartup Repair, no problem, Download the .iso from the link below andburn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with StartupRepair.Download Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you make:http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tut...c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootreccommands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.http://vistahomepremium.windowsreinstall.com/repairstartup/repairstartup.htmThose are:bootrec /fixmbrbootrec /fixbootbootrec /rebuild BCD3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from theStartup Repair list.4) If by rare chance you have an actual Vista DVD, you can put it in, bootfrom it>choose the Upgrade Option>choose your current broken Vista Drive andtry to do a repair install with the Vista DVD.How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vistahttp://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html5) If the above 3 tools don't work, then use the 4 tools available byrestarting your pc and tapping F8 once per second to get to the WindowsAdvanced Options Menu.From this menu click on 3 Safe Mode links to use System Restore. Make sureyou try all 3 if one doesn't work, because just one of them may work.Tap F8 to Reach Windows Advanced Options Menu Pictured Below:http://media.photobucket.com/image/...techbliss/Vista-Advanced-Boot-Options.jpgSafe ModeSafe Mode with NetworkingSafe Mode with Command: At the prompt you would type the command to useforsystem restore at the safe mode cmd prompt is:%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exeIf these 3 tools don't work, you have one more you can try which is LastKnown Good Configuration.Good luck,CH
J
John Barnett MVP
Yes Dave but 7077 is a leaked build not support by Microsoft (unless you are
one of the privileged developer's). I agree Windows 7 'Ultimate' does have
these facilities as does Vista Ultimate (with the exception of a system
repair disc) but it is not saying that entry level versions will be the
same.
Most users won't even buy Windows 7 Ultimate and OEMs will certainly not put
Ultimate on entry level machines.
--
--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience
Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
one of the privileged developer's). I agree Windows 7 'Ultimate' does have
these facilities as does Vista Ultimate (with the exception of a system
repair disc) but it is not saying that entry level versions will be the
same.
Most users won't even buy Windows 7 Ultimate and OEMs will certainly not put
Ultimate on entry level machines.
--
--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience
Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
J
John Barnett MVP
Hi Chad,
There is no backup option whatsoever in my copy of Vista ultimate SP2. If I
right click computer I don't see any 'backup' option. Besides the option in
Windows 7 is only a startup recovery disk it is not a system restore recover
which is what the OP asked for. There is a big difference between being able
to simply repair startup problems and completely restoring your system from
a DVD. While Ultimate has Complete PC Backup having used it I wouldn't trust
it as far as I could throw it, the damn thing is too temperamental.
--
--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience
Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
There is no backup option whatsoever in my copy of Vista ultimate SP2. If I
right click computer I don't see any 'backup' option. Besides the option in
Windows 7 is only a startup recovery disk it is not a system restore recover
which is what the OP asked for. There is a big difference between being able
to simply repair startup problems and completely restoring your system from
a DVD. While Ultimate has Complete PC Backup having used it I wouldn't trust
it as far as I could throw it, the damn thing is too temperamental.
--
--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience
Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
C
Chad Harris
John Barnett MVP said:
Hi John--
What exactly do you mean?
"There is no backup option whatsoever in my copy of Vista ultimate SP2."
There's absolutely the ability to make a Repair Disk and it's located in
your C:\Windows System32 folder. Have a look there. It's called
recdisc.exe. If they made the mistake they made when they hid it in SP1, it
requires a UAC/permissions tweak I outlined in my previous posts on this
thread. It doesn't require that tweak at any of its 5 locations in Windows
7.
Those 4 locations are:
1) Control Panel>Click Backup and Restore
2) Computer>Right Click>the operating system drive>properties>tools>backup
now and you get exactly what I screenshot
3) All Programs>Maintenance>Create a System Repair Disc "Creates a disc you
can use to access system recovery options." Those are MSFT's words when
you mouse over that location.
4) Recdisc.exe located in the System 32 folder. In Windows 7 all builds, it
doesn't require a UAC tweak as it crazily does in Vista SP1 and Vista SP2.
"There is a big difference between being able
I wouldn't trust any of the MSFT backups in Vista or Windows 7 but I would
trust this particular application from the backup team to make a Startup
Repair disk from which SR can be accessed if you've made and maintained a
restore point or points.
The reason I wouldn't trust them is that too many users can't recover the
backup from its compression files despite the elegances with which the Bacup
and Restore team continues to attempt to describe their work. I agree with
you they don't work. The best way to backup is to media because then the
files and folders mean what you see is what you get.
And hard drives can and do fail. External hard drives can and do corrupt
and recovery of them is on the average $1600 in the U.S.
I don't know if they left this out of some of their less expensive editions,
because I don't have them to look at. The Windows 7 I screenshot all 4
locations in is "Ultimate." From what I'm looking at on websites including
Microsoft Press Pass Ultimate will remain available as RTM, along with other
editions, and I expect them all to have this feature.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/feb09/02-03Win7SKU-QA.mspx
The OP's question was and I quote:
"Is there any utility built into Vista or XP to allow one to create a
complete system restore DVD?"
I'd consider the ability to make a genuine Startup Repair Disc a "utility"
and Microsoft absolutely did build it into Vista SP1 and later although they
Easter Egg hid it and no one here has come up with an explanation as to
exactly why they played that non-intuintive game.
The startup repair disc has the ability to do a system restore. It
mistakenly has a link that allows someone supposedly to create a restore
point and when you click that link it says since this is a lower level
environment you can't do that.
And no one on the System Restore team parses system restore as a "complete
system restore" and an "incomplete." Do you mind explaining why you're
parsing it?
And since the OP was so terse, we don't know exactly what he was trying to
fix if anything or if he was idly asking the question because
(e-mail address removed) hasn't elaborated his one sentence question, nor has he
commented as a followup.
System Restore is a registry snapshot, and system restore is system
restore. I'd be delighted for you to tell me why in the world you're
attempting to parse system restore as a System Restore DVD and tell me that
there is a difference from the System Restore available in the places where
I said it is--
From recdisc.exe in Vista SP1 and Vista SP2 in the C:\Windows\System32
folder or if someone has multiple boots, we both know that drive letter
could change.
It is available in no less than 5 locations in every build of Windows 7
through 7106 at the five locations I've screenshot. You don't think I "photo
shopped" 'em do ya? Here they are again for you viewing pleasure.
Windows 7 has the ability to make a startup repair disc with system restore
(the only one Microsoft makes) on it.
"Besides the option in Windows 7 is only a startup recovery disk it is not
a system restore recover which is what the OP asked for."
This is what the OP asked for because it's a quote of his one sentence
question:
"Is there any utility built into Vista or XP to allow one to create a
complete system restore DVD?"
Windows 7 has 5 locations from which to do a system restore by making a
repair disc.
I'm going to quote you exactly what MSFT says it is when you mouse over its
location
"Create a System Repair Disc. Creates a disc where you can access your
recovery options." This is a quote from the mousing over a click of
Maintenance on the All Programs Menu of Windows 7. It is accessing the same
application that you have in every Vista SP1 or later at your
C:\Windows\System32 folder. Go have a look.
John--whatever does this mean? A system restore recover is a system restore
recover when it comes from the boys and girls on the System Restore team.
Ask the individuals on the Complete PC Backup and System Restore team if you
don't believe your eyes and my screenshots.
And as I screenshot in Windows 7 the latest build, it is at 5 locations.
It has system restore on it. And last time I checked, the Windows XP,
Vista, and Windows 7 F8 aka Windows Advanced Options Menu have 3 safe modes
from which a system restore can be accessed and sometimes as not enough
people realize, one system restore access will work when others don't.
It absolutely ******is***** John and I have screenshot it and if you like
I'll screenshot the actual steps using it. It gives you this which is
MSFT's panoply of Startup Repair Advanced Menu options (Microsoft's own
exact words when you get there) INCLUDING SYSTEM RESTORE.
Go to System 32 and you'll see it smiling at John.
And take one of your Win 7 boots and builds, I don't care which one through
7106, and you will see it in FIVE I said (5) locations fully functional
without the screwup that requires UAC tweaking as I explained to you in
detail that they released in Vista SP1 and SP2 at System 32. Again that's
recdisc.exe and it's on all your boxes there.
I don't know if Vista SP2 ridiculously (because of inattention to how it
worked while Beta testing) requires a permissions tweak. I do know that
none of your Windows 7 builds does.
I beg to differ. I've tried it in every build. I don't think you have. It
is precisely what the OP asked for and it includes the System Restore option
from a DVD or if you download from the link I gave you, it would fit on a CD
to be literal that MSFT provides in Startup Repair. Don't let the word
"recovery" fool you and anyway that's your word. I'd prefer you did not use
it, because it evokes the erratic OEM recovery disks. Microsoft, the people
who make windows, calls it a System Repair Disk Creates a System
I represented that behind the backup option at Control Panel is an option I
the left task pane to create a Startup Repair disk which includes a System
Restore link. I also represented that 3 Separate System Restore options are
available as you know well at the Windows Advanced Options Menu where they
have been for many years. They were there in XP at the Win Advanced Options
Menu, and I expect in Win 2K and I'm not sure about Win NT but probably not
then.
I'm glad you confirm if you looked at the Control Panel, and at Computer
that it not on Vista SP2 and I suppose SP1. It is on every official
launched from Redmond via FTP server available in every single build of Win
7 through Build 7106. It is at all 5 locations in Windows 7 every build
to this minute. I can't imagine they'll pull it.
As far as making predictions of what MSFT will do in RTM, I don't predict
their behavior from day to day because they often change their minds--you
can see that they did that in Beta Vista SP1 where they intentionally for
whatever rationale in the world, made it difficult for people to find
recdisc.exe in the System 32 folder of that OS. My point is proved, because
they made it so difficult, than a number of MVPs didn't know it was there,
didn't know what it does, and apparently still can't find it. It's listed
under "r" for recdisc.
However, if you go to you System32 folder, I will bet that recdisc.exe
which gives the full panoply of Startup Repair features, including System
restore, is there.
I'll summarizes what I wrote and anytime you want to explain to me why MSFT
pulled the ability to make a repair disc with the FULL PANOPLY OF STARTUP
REPAIR MENU ON IT, I can't wait. But you don't know. I understand in more
detail than I want to the sausage making of Beta interim builds and every
thing I am saying I have confirmed for Official MSFT Beta builds up through
7106. Ask 'em if you think I'm kiddin', and I'd be delighted to provide you
a list of names.
System Restore is absolutely an option and part of Startup Repair which I
think your website references, although it is one of the options for system
restore, as I pointed out, 3 others being located at F8 as well as Last
Known Good
Further, if the OP follows my regiment for the five tools I enumerated, he
will be able to fix his Vista if that's why he asked the question. The why
is hard to tell since he didn't say why.
CH
C
Chad Harris
John Barnett MVP said:
Hi John--
The best way to backup is definitely to burn files and folders to media
IMHO. Here are screen shots of the 4 locations in Windows 7, and one of
them is present in Vista SP1 and Vista SP2 in the System32 folder as
recdisc.exe. It will create a Repair Disc when clicked that has the full
panoply of Startup Repair.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chadharris16
These locations can make a disk that accesses this:
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winvista/images/repair/staruprepair/Image17.gif
Best, CH
- John Barnett MVP
CH