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    Dell system restore is amazing

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by chesieofdarock, Aug 25, 2007.

  1. chesieofdarock

    chesieofdarock Notebook Deity

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    So the other day I accdentally removed some things from laptop that it needed to run things like wireless etc... I talked to some dell rep and he walked me through how to do a system restore and I just wanted to say that it works amazingly. I backed up my music and stuff to an external hd and then simply hit f8 during startuo and did the restore to dell factory defaults option. It was like getting the computer all over again. It reformats your hard drive and makes your computer like new. This would be an amazing thing if you were to get a virus or something on your system.

    just thought i'd let you all know that dell rules
     
    chesieofdarock, Aug 25, 2007
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  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Yes, that is a good thing. But it also restores all the bloatware and crap that is notorious for slowing down PCs.

    My favorite (and recommended) solution is to clean the system or do a fresh install, and then backup that using Acronis True Image. Works just as good as Dell Restore, and you get rid of bloatware.

    But it is nice to hear your problems were resolved! Cool beans!
     
    Greg, Aug 25, 2007
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  3. Zetto

    Zetto Notebook Deity

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    uhm, if u get the virus, it's likely to infect the restore partition, so... ;)
     
    Zetto, Aug 25, 2007
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  4. chesieofdarock

    chesieofdarock Notebook Deity

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    o sry I don't know much about viruses so... :p
     
    chesieofdarock, Aug 25, 2007
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  5. Chuckles

    Chuckles Notebook Consultant

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    Do you know about regular backup and restore? Windows includes the software you need. You don't have to restore to the Dell factory state, although Dell would like you to do so in order to reinstate their bloatware. You can restore to any previous state that you have backed up.
     
    Chuckles, Aug 25, 2007
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  6. chesieofdarock

    chesieofdarock Notebook Deity

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    o really cool how do you make a back up point?
     
    chesieofdarock, Aug 25, 2007
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  7. mace2

    mace2 Notebook Guru

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    assuming it's windows xp:

    start menu / programs / accessories / system tools / system restore.
     
    mace2, Aug 25, 2007
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  8. Les

    Les Not associated with NotebookReview in any way

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    Re: Virus...

    Theres little if no chance for a virus to infect the restore partition. This partition is separate from the system and not accessible by the system in normal operations which eliminates any access by the virus.

    Further, on the reboot/restore, the original system bootup is not used which means the virus wont get the opportunity to propogate.

    It will be destroyed in the process.
     
    Les, Aug 25, 2007
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  9. chesieofdarock

    chesieofdarock Notebook Deity

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    ok yea I thought so...thx for the info
     
    chesieofdarock, Aug 25, 2007
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  10. LNahid2000

    LNahid2000 Notebook Guru

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    Yeah, thats what I do except I install all the programs I use and set up the system the way I want it before doing the Acronis Image. I also keep all my documents/music/video on a separate partition so that at any time I can just run Acronis on the windows/programs partition without even having to back up anything first. This works way better than the Dell Restore.
     
    LNahid2000, Aug 25, 2007
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  11. laptopquestions2007

    laptopquestions2007 Notebook Consultant

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    Programs such as Acronis True Image go a couple of steps beyond this....

    You can create YOUR OWN system restore disks and restore the CURRENT state of your system (including all your installed applications and data. You have the option of restoring everything or only specific files/directories.

    This is much simpler than simply trying to guess what to back up.

    Trying to restore applications is time consuming, but being able to restore your own data is priceless.

    -LQ
     
    laptopquestions2007, Aug 25, 2007
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  12. Zetto

    Zetto Notebook Deity

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    Yeah, well, he forgot to mention MBR virii. So if u boot of the infected HD, it'll reinfect the new mbr created even by the restore partition. The only sure way to get rid of possible virii is to reinstall from DVDs or at least boot off the DVD. Besides, the parition maybe hidden, but it's not invisible.
    http://www.itechs-systems.com/articles/a5.htm
     
    Zetto, Aug 25, 2007
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