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    Best way to create a restore disk?

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by bugeyed, Sep 21, 2011.

  1. bugeyed

    bugeyed Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a new Asus U56E that ships with no restore disks. I have made a Windows repair disk, but the utility to create the 4 or 5 restore DVDs does not see the recovery partition. The partition is there & I can look at the files on it, it's just the Asus AI recovery burner reports "Recovery partition does not exist". I just want to have something I can restore my system with in case I loose the harddrive. What are my options? Should I just make an image of the drive? I just don't want to end up one day not being able to reinstall windows & the system drivers. Will something like Norton ghost include everything including the drivers? Any guedance is appreciated.

    Thanks,
    kev
     
    bugeyed, Sep 21, 2011
    #1
  2. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

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    Kev, you have good instincts, any popular imaging program is a great way to make a backup. Check out this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/windows-os-software/611544-looking-freeware-drive-image-tool.html
    If you already own Norton Ghost, it is a great program. But there are great free alternatives. Yes, If the hard drive goes you can boot from CD to load the restore software and restore a 'snap shot' of your hard drive with all updates, games, drivers, etc.
    I recommend using an external USB hard drive, but DVD's can also be used.
    I do an image every 2 months.
     
    JOSEA, Sep 21, 2011
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  3. bugeyed

    bugeyed Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks Josea.
    I don't have Ghost, but I do have Acronis True Image Home. Guess it's time to learn what it will do!

    Thanks,
    kev
     
    bugeyed, Sep 21, 2011
    #3
  4. link626

    link626 Asus GL502VM, Lenovo Y580, Asus K53TA

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    windows has its own backup image program, which works well.
    you can restore a windows image with the repair disc or windows install disc.
    This option is good if you want to keep all your programs without reinstalling them all.

    otherwise, for a clean restore, it's best to just download one of the windows iso's from digitalriver, and burn the drivers onto the disc too.
     
    link626, Sep 22, 2011
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  5. bugeyed

    bugeyed Notebook Enthusiast

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    Since I have Acronis TI Home & can't use the Asus disk burning utility, should I use the Windows imaging app. or Acronis TI? Ideally, I would like to get my partitions sorted out & the Data & OS partitions resized & then make an image. Guess I should make an image now, before I do too much to the drive then another when I get it the way I want. Can someone recommend a good partition manager? Free would be nice, but I would pay for an app. that is substantially better.

    Thanks,
    kev
     
    bugeyed, Sep 22, 2011
    #5
  6. link626

    link626 Asus GL502VM, Lenovo Y580, Asus K53TA

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    windows backup keeps the partition sizes intact.
     
    link626, Sep 22, 2011
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