Is it possible to make a "restore partition" like HP/Compaq and other do?

[tankman1989]

I am going to be putting together a desktop for someone and I would LOVE to be able to give him the means to restore the machine to it's original state without too much hassle. This can be on the same HD that the OS is on or a separate internal or even an external (Esata) or NAS.

Does anyone know how to do this?

 

[14049752]

I am going to be putting together a desktop for someone and I would LOVE to be able to give him the means to restore the machine to it's original state without too much hassle. This can be on the same HD that the OS is on or a separate internal or even an external (Esata) or NAS.

Does anyone know how to do this?

Yep. It's been asked on here numerous times.


I won't be such a jerk to tell you to just search, so I'll tell you to look at Macrium Reflect.

 

[meanderer]

acronis true image has an option called secure zone and also it's own restore routine in MBR that you can install into the PC.

 

[tankman1989]

Yep. It's been asked on here numerous times.


I won't be such a jerk to tell you to just search, so I'll tell you to look at Macrium Reflect.

Thank you. I'm a pretty avid reader/follower of threads here and I had never seen one on how to create a restore partition and my search yeilded no results on creating (My search may have left something to be desired)...

I thank you again!

 

[ekrizon]

Used acronis secure zone a bunch of times. Works well enough.

 

[dbdawn]

The only experience I have had with this type of software has been with Acronis. Like others have said it has something called Acronis Startup Recovery Manager where you press F11 at boot and it restores the OS.

 

[jimbojambo]

I have to say the easiest way i like to do it is with a seperate dvd. I use a copy of nlite, make sure i have all the drivers fo rthe laptop or whatever i want to use (or set up driverpacks to run) set up the xp install to auto install with all the input parameters such as keyboard language cdkey etc, i can even integrate the specific drivers for the pc then if i want. I set up any software to install and run integrated there too and i can use nlite to auto delete all partitions, create 1 partition of maximum size and then have it set so if the owner inserts the disk they just have to press any key to start once the boot loader picks it up and install it. and i create that disk then use that disk to install on the pc so i know everything works and i can confidemtly say to the cust that if theres an issue just save any work they have and use the disk

 

[14049752]

I have to say the easiest way i like to do it is with a seperate dvd. I use a copy of nlite, make sure i have all the drivers fo rthe laptop or whatever i want to use (or set up driverpacks to run) set up the xp install to auto install with all the input parameters such as keyboard language cdkey etc, i can even integrate the specific drivers for the pc then if i want. I set up any software to install and run integrated there too and i can use nlite to auto delete all partitions, create 1 partition of maximum size and then have it set so if the owner inserts the disk they just have to press any key to start once the boot loader picks it up and install it. and i create that disk then use that disk to install on the pc so i know everything works and i can confidemtly say to the cust that if theres an issue just save any work they have and use the disk

That seems really dangerous. At least a restore disc will ask you a couple of times "Do you want to do this? It will erase your data!" If I understood you correctly, your disc will completely wipe the system with no warning, other than "Press any key to boot to CD...."

 

[Xander]

Then just label the disk accordingly.

"Uncle Bill: Caution: This disk will erase your hard drive"

 

[fixitdaz]

I came across this if its any use i haven't tried it

 

[jimbojambo]

That seems really dangerous. At least a restore disc will ask you a couple of times "Do you want to do this? It will erase your data!" If I understood you correctly, your disc will completely wipe the system with no warning, other than "Press any key to boot to CD...."

Yes it will wipe it if the disc is put in however its already explained to the customer what will happen if they put the disc in the drive!! The disc is labeled up with a warning on it also thus the customer cant really make a mistake (hopefully)

If they did i would try my best to assist and help them

 

[PC-MOT]

Aren't you doing yourself out of work later down the line if anything does go wrong by supplying all necessary recovery discs?