Image by Sergio Rondan via FlickrIf you're like most PC users, it is likely that Windows 7 with a new PC or laptop. And if you're like 99% of the population, you get the new machines from leading manufacturers. Dell, Acer, HP, Toshiba, Lenovo, they all have one thing in common: they give you a real Windows installation disc 7 with your purchase. Instead, do what they call a "recovery disc" (that if you're lucky - otherwise you'll have a recovery partition instead) with the team and leave it at that.
No matter what you just paid a thousand dollars for a machine that comes with a valid license of Windows 7 - your computer manufacturer just do not want to spend the money (or perhaps take on the responsibility) to give a Windows 7 install DVD to accompany your expensive purchase.
The problem is that Windows 7, the installation media serves more than one purpose. There is only one way to get Windows installed, it is also the only way of recovering a borked installation. The DVD of Windows 7 has a full "recovery center" that provides the option of recovering your system via automated recovery (searches for problems and attempts to fix them automatically) and material to revert to a restore point, the recovery of a full backup of the PC, or access a command-line recovery console for advanced recovery.
Fortunately, Microsoft seems to have realized this problem and have thankfully made a recovery disk for this purpose. DVD containing the contents of Windows 7 is "recovery center," as we have come to refer to it. Can not be used to install or reinstall Windows 7, and only serves as a Windows PE interface to recovering your PC. Technically, you could re-create the installation media to the media freely downloadable from Microsoft (namely the Microsoft WAIK kit, a download of several gigabytes), but it's damn decent of Microsoft to make it available for Windows users may not be able to create such a thing on their own. You can make your own copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition, but now have an easier alternative.
What it does: The Windows 7 recovery discs can be used to access a system recovery menu, giving you options of using System Restore, Complete PC Backup, automated system repair, and a command line system for manual advanced recovery.
What not to do: You can use the Windows 7 recovery discs to reinstall Windows - just fixed (does not replace Windows.
Why you need it: If you bought your PC from a major retailer, you did not get this disc with your purchase.
Even if the the data is not recovered using the CD you can use DVD Recovery Software
No matter what you just paid a thousand dollars for a machine that comes with a valid license of Windows 7 - your computer manufacturer just do not want to spend the money (or perhaps take on the responsibility) to give a Windows 7 install DVD to accompany your expensive purchase.
The problem is that Windows 7, the installation media serves more than one purpose. There is only one way to get Windows installed, it is also the only way of recovering a borked installation. The DVD of Windows 7 has a full "recovery center" that provides the option of recovering your system via automated recovery (searches for problems and attempts to fix them automatically) and material to revert to a restore point, the recovery of a full backup of the PC, or access a command-line recovery console for advanced recovery.
Fortunately, Microsoft seems to have realized this problem and have thankfully made a recovery disk for this purpose. DVD containing the contents of Windows 7 is "recovery center," as we have come to refer to it. Can not be used to install or reinstall Windows 7, and only serves as a Windows PE interface to recovering your PC. Technically, you could re-create the installation media to the media freely downloadable from Microsoft (namely the Microsoft WAIK kit, a download of several gigabytes), but it's damn decent of Microsoft to make it available for Windows users may not be able to create such a thing on their own. You can make your own copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition, but now have an easier alternative.
What it does: The Windows 7 recovery discs can be used to access a system recovery menu, giving you options of using System Restore, Complete PC Backup, automated system repair, and a command line system for manual advanced recovery.
What not to do: You can use the Windows 7 recovery discs to reinstall Windows - just fixed (does not replace Windows.
Why you need it: If you bought your PC from a major retailer, you did not get this disc with your purchase.
Even if the the data is not recovered using the CD you can use DVD Recovery Software
