A question re what exactly is re-installed from Samsung recovery solution?

Hi all,
I only recently found this excellent forum and joined immediately, this is my 1st post here. I have a brand new Samsung R530 (JB01UK) Intel core i3 330m, 3gb ram, 320 gb hd, intel hd grahics laptop.

I am keen to ask someone with experience of Samsung laptops & the Samsung Recovery Solution 4 app, what exactly is re-installed with the seperate options.

I shall explain, I have created & burnt 2 seperate solutions (using Samsung Recovery Solution 4), 1 is the "System Software" backup (having tested this disc in virtualisation [in VirtualBox on my Linux desktop], I notice that it is NOT a bootable dvd.

And 2 is the "Full Backup image", what I would like to know is if the smaller (appx 2gb) "System Software" disc would re-install my Windows 7 Home Premium OS (with some additional Samsung drivers etc)?? or is that only achieved by restoring from the full backup image (around 5 DVDs or, in my case, appx 20gb in size).

It is not made clear anywhere what exact type of backup is the one that is the OS install/re-install, ie. the one that would require you to input the Windows Product key from the sticker on the underneath of the laptop during the process. I do understand about full system or partition images and the subsequent restoration from these but I really wanted a "Windows 7 OS re-installation" disc to be created from this backup solution if possible as I might at some point in the future want to do a 'clean' install of win 7 even if it is combined with the Samsung pre-installed apps.

I am also aware that the initial 'image snapshot' taken during initial setup created a recovery partition on the hd of appx 15gb, I assume this is also an option for a semi 'clean' install????

Any help or pointers on this would be greatly appreciated as I can't decide on which solution to actually settle down with (I also have Acronis True Image Home 2010 and then there is the inbuilt Windows 7 'create system image' tool as well )

I have been away from Windows for quite a while and have only recently returned to the platform now with this new laptop, so far I think Win 7 is very good but it is a big nuisance that the OEMs are so cheap and dont give you a proper MS Win7 installation disc like they used to.

 

I'm not up-to-date with the Samsung image structure but one of those will restore an image of the pre-configured Windows installation. it may also wipe and replace everything on C: which is why Samsung usually configure a second partition so your own files can be put where they won't get zapped during a reinstallation.

If you want to do a clean installation of Windows 7 from a bootable DVD then see this thread.

John

 

thanks for your reply