reformating help - OS image?

welcome everybody.

I bought my first ever laptop (i6000) a month ago and I think it's a high time to do what should have been already done at the first place - I want to reformat whole system, get rid off unnecessary software, change partition and file system.
However, I still would like to be able to have later-on acces to factory settings/instalation. Reading this:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=24262

I assume that I have OS image somewhere on my HDD. The question is where is it exactly and how can I burn it on DVD in order to be able to use it later (I assume that it has to be bootable DVD)

And second question:
How do I do the whole reformating proces. I mean I've done it many times on different desktops but I was using DOS bootable diskette there and here I don't hava a floppy disk. So what is the procedure for the laptop?

I would really apreciated help with those issues as I can not effectively use my laptop any longer because of too many services/applictions have been instaled there.

thank you in advance

zxc

 

As far as I know, you can't burn it. Once you do the reformat, the restore partition (which is what that thread was talking about) will no longer work. Futhermore, all that does is restore your 6000 back to orginial factory settings, meaning it will have all of the junk software on it.

For more information on reformatting, see a thread that I created.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=23363

Its actually really easy to do and the same process if you've done it before on a desktop. You'll just be using a CD instead, and it will walk you thru all of the steps. The main thing is that you have to get an XP Home or Pro CD. You can either use a retail version that you have bought, request one from Dell, or use the burning utility that will create an OEM XP CD for you. All of this is cover in the above thread.

If you get a copy of XP, then I strongly suggest deleting the restore partition since it takes up around 5gb of space. Most users go this route since the restore partition will no longer work if you reformat as well as it is useless since the whole purpose of formatting is to get rid of the junk software.

Hope this helps,
SG

 

Thank you very much foe quick reply.

I'm so sorry, I've seen it before - just didn't bookmark it and forgot about it Sorry...

So, to get you right:
There is no way to backup restore partition and use it later? Is that correct? It is very important to me, and I would very much like to have it backuped on DVD.

Also word of clarification:

I'm sorry, but I don't understand. Do I do this WHILE preparing to reinstal XP and before I actually format HDD? On desktops I used DOS-program which had to be run befor inserting XP CD so it was pretty obvious. And here, I'm just confused...
Could you please explain it to me?

thx again

zxc

 

if you've reformatted and resized partitions before (think fdisk), then you will have no problems.

it's really really easy. once you get into the process, you will see. the paritition sizing part is very idiot-proof; it will ask you the necessary questions for deleting and resizing the partitions.

SG's faq will step you through it, no problem

 

Does this also apply to CREATING NEW PARTITIONS? Right now I have only one (and I guess the hidden one with restore OS) and want to make more. Does this chage anything?

zxc

 

when you get there, you will know

i know it sounds cryptic, but you will know.

it will show what the partitions are and ask what you want to do with them

 

Ok, I believe you
thank you

zxc

 

Might want to look at something like Arconis True Image. It will make an image of the drive that can be restored at a later date. Takes like five minutes to restore a partition.

 

that's a great idea - have you ever done it? would you have any advice? tutorial?

thx

zxc

 

I do it with all my computers and recommend it to everyone. The best time to make the image is right after you've installed everything and got everything just the way you like. It is very easy to use. Just open it, hit make image and follow prompts. You make a recovery CD and boot to it and tell it where the image is to restore. I keep mine on an external hard drive.

 

But how to make image of the HIDDEN partition with OS image on it? And be able to use it later?

zxc

 

Hi guys,

I have one more concern:
what services/programs are VITAL/ESSENTIAL for notebook in order for it to work. What additional to XP applications do I HAVE TO install?

zxc

 

to make the notebook 'work':

windows OS
drivers from dell's site (or CD if you got it)

in terms of applications on top of the OS, it's up to you.