Vista SP1: Create a recovery disc

Hi all. All the discussion about a bootable recovery disc, and this article I ran across the other day. The article says you need the original installation disc. I have a machine that the disc didn't come with.

Vista SP1: Create a recovery disc - istartedsomething

If I don't have the original disc, can I still make a Recovery Disc thru SP1?
I know that there are a lot of places to download a ISO image from. In fact I downloaded one yesterday from a source in this thread.

Complete PC Restore- HOW??

But I am under the impression that it would be better to use a disc created after you have loaded SP1 if you have to do a repair?
The question is, will I be able to create a recovery disc after I have downloaded SP1 if I don't have the original install disc?
Or should I just create the one I have the image for and if I need to use it then Reload SP1 after I get running again? I am very new to computers and I will appreciate any and all help I get. Thank you.

Hi Ted,

Since you have a OEM Recovery installation dvd, you will need to create or download this ISO file to create the Recovery Disc instead of what was given by the SP1. You will just burn the ISO file to a DVD or CD to use it as a Recovery Disc.

Create a Recovery Disc

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hi Shawn. I don't have the original OEM install disc.

,

That's what I am trying to find out about. If I can create
a Recovery Disc without the OEM after I install SP1.
I have done this.

Windows Vista Recovery Disc Download — The NeoSmart Files

This is what I am trying to find out. I do thank you for you'r reply.
I'll be around, Ted

Ted,

I believe this is the recovery disc. You just copy the downloaded ISO file to a blank CD or DVD, then you should be able to boot from it to use the Recovery Console to restore from a Complete PC Backup (not in your version of Vista) or to do a System Restore at boot.

Shawn

O.K. I understand now. I was making this harder than it is.

Thanks for putting up with me !!!

Ted

LOL, your welcome Ted.

Yeah, it's not like the OEM recovery DVD. It's just a DVD or CD that boots you into the Vista Recovery Console to use to attempt to repair your Vista installation with a System Restore Point or Complete PC Backup you made at some other time.

It's only useful if you have a OEM, or not, Recovery DVD and not a Retail Full or Upgrade Vista installation DVD.

Shawn

Just to ask another question...

I have Vista SP1 installed on my machines. I have retail upgrade DVD's that are pre SP1. It takes forever to get current (up to SP1) if you go through Windows Update after installing Vista (from the DVD's). I would like (if needed) to have any reinstalls incorporate everything I currently have on my current Vista installations. Is there a recovery disk creation procedure that will do this? I noticed a number of methods of Vista discovery disk creations.

I just joined the forum - looks like a great source of info.

Tony

Hi tony,

A recovery disc allows you to repair your current installation, it doesn't install Vista.
Have a look at this tutorial:
Create a Recovery Disc

If you want to be able to restore your complete system, that is there:
Backup Complete Computer

I don't know if Home Premium allows to achieve a complete backup?

You can use also programs like Acronis true image for example.

If you want to write a DVD which includes Vista+SP1, we are talking about this tutorial:
Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD

Sid.