Vista - PC Angel - restoring without restore CD?

**JWhipple** · 09-09-2008

My wife's Emachine PC (produced just prior to Gateway's takeover of Emachines) originally came with Vista Home Premium on it.

Because of some classes that she was taking, it was an absolute MUST that she had XP on it (she wouldn't even consider a virtual machine - go figure?).

So, we removed Vista and installed XP.

Now that the class is done, her XP load is going screwy because of all kinds of garbage that my step-son did on it via various less-than-savory websites, and she wants Vista back.

Between then and now we moved and we haven't the first clue where any of the restore CDs or DVDs are - BUT - there is a partition on the hard drive that was created by PC Angel.

Is there any way that we can get the data from that partition back into place on the C drive and have a usable, bootable OS without having to jump through hoops or shelling out money for a new restore CD/DVD ?

It would appear by the folder structures there and everything that I've seen in them that it's a full blown setup of Vista Home Premium.

Any help is appreciated!

**Joan Archer** · 09-09-2008

Have you been to the web site of the makers to see if they have any manuals for the model of machine you have, perhaps it may give you a clue on how to recover the machine to factory settings.

**JWhipple** · 09-09-2008

Yes, and unfortunately all they mention is using the restore CD...

There's got to be another way! (fingers crossed!)

**Bare Foot Kid** · 09-09-2008

Hello JWhipple!

When you click "Computer" in the start menu do you see a drive listed as "D: Recovery"
or "Factory Image D:" ?

Keep us informed!

Later

Ted

**JWhipple** · 09-09-2008

I'll check that first thing when I get home. I just RDPed into my machine at home but because of the issues we're having with her box, I am able to ping it but not connect via daisy-chained RDP...

Can't map a drive either - says there aren't enough resources :-(

**JWhipple** · 09-10-2008

Partition is labeled as "Recovery" and is a 9.64GB partition.

**z3r010** · 09-10-2008

What model Emachine?

Do you have the option to press F11 as the manchine starts to start the recovery?

**JWhipple** · 09-10-2008

It's a T5086 ... I'll check the F11 options when it gets done doing a hard drive error scan.

**z3r010** · 09-10-2008

Just looked it up and your system does seem to have the F11 option (if it works is a different matter)

Info here:- http://support.gateway.com/s/Manuals...ps/8510406.pdf

To restore system software from the hard drive backup copy:
1

Restart the computer, then press F11 when prompted to start the
restore process. The System Recovery program starts. You have
three seconds to press F11 before Windows starts.

2

Click a system restore option. For more information, see
“Restoration options” on page 5.

■

Non-Destructive System Restore (Recommended)

■

Full System Restore (Destructive)

■

Full System Restore (with Backup) (Advanced Option)

3

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system

software restoration process.

**JWhipple** · 09-10-2008

Well damn, why couldn't it be that easy on all machines? LOL

Thanks!

09-09-2008	#1 (permalink)
JWhipple Vista Ultimate x64 61 posts	PC Angel - restoring without restore CD? My wife's Emachine PC (produced just prior to Gateway's takeover of Emachines) originally came with Vista Home Premium on it. Because of some classes that she was taking, it was an absolute MUST that she had XP on it (she wouldn't even consider a virtual machine - go figure?). So, we removed Vista and installed XP. Now that the class is done, her XP load is going screwy because of all kinds of garbage that my step-son did on it via various less-than-savory websites, and she wants Vista back. Between then and now we moved and we haven't the first clue where any of the restore CDs or DVDs are - BUT - there is a partition on the hard drive that was created by PC Angel. Is there any way that we can get the data from that partition back into place on the C drive and have a usable, bootable OS without having to jump through hoops or shelling out money for a new restore CD/DVD ? It would appear by the folder structures there and everything that I've seen in them that it's a full blown setup of Vista Home Premium. Any help is appreciated!
My System Specs

09-09-2008	#2 (permalink)
Joan Archer Vista Home Premium SP2 32bit / Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit 1,062 posts	Re: PC Angel - restoring without restore CD? Have you been to the web site of the makers to see if they have any manuals for the model of machine you have, perhaps it may give you a clue on how to recover the machine to factory settings.
My System Specs

09-09-2008	#3 (permalink)
JWhipple Vista Ultimate x64 61 posts	Re: PC Angel - restoring without restore CD? Yes, and unfortunately all they mention is using the restore CD... There's got to be another way! (fingers crossed!)
My System Specs

09-09-2008	#4 (permalink)
Bare Foot Kid Vista 64-bit Ultimate Win7 64-bit Ultimate XP SP3 32-bit Pro 2,126 posts	Re: PC Angel - restoring without restore CD? Hello JWhipple! When you click "Computer" in the start menu do you see a drive listed as "D: Recovery" or "Factory Image D:" ? Keep us informed! Later Ted
My System Specs

09-09-2008	#5 (permalink)
JWhipple Vista Ultimate x64 61 posts	Re: PC Angel - restoring without restore CD? I'll check that first thing when I get home. I just RDPed into my machine at home but because of the issues we're having with her box, I am able to ping it but not connect via daisy-chained RDP... Can't map a drive either - says there aren't enough resources :-(
My System Specs

09-10-2008	#6 (permalink)
JWhipple Vista Ultimate x64 61 posts	Re: PC Angel - restoring without restore CD? Partition is labeled as "Recovery" and is a 9.64GB partition.
My System Specs

09-10-2008	#7 (permalink)
z3r010 Windows 7 Ultimate x64 21,390 posts	Re: PC Angel - restoring without restore CD? What model Emachine? Do you have the option to press F11 as the manchine starts to start the recovery?
My System Specs

09-10-2008	#8 (permalink)
JWhipple Vista Ultimate x64 61 posts	Re: PC Angel - restoring without restore CD? It's a T5086 ... I'll check the F11 options when it gets done doing a hard drive error scan.
My System Specs

09-10-2008	#9 (permalink)
z3r010 Windows 7 Ultimate x64 21,390 posts	Re: PC Angel - restoring without restore CD? Just looked it up and your system does seem to have the F11 option (if it works is a different matter) Info here:- http://support.gateway.com/s/Manuals...ps/8510406.pdf To restore system software from the hard drive backup copy: 1 Restart the computer, then press F11 when prompted to start the restore process. The System Recovery program starts. You have three seconds to press F11 before Windows starts. 2 Click a system restore option. For more information, see “Restoration options” on page 5. ■ Non-Destructive System Restore (Recommended) ■ Full System Restore (Destructive) ■ Full System Restore (with Backup) (Advanced Option) 3 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system software restoration process.
My System Specs

09-10-2008	#10 (permalink)
JWhipple Vista Ultimate x64 61 posts	Re: PC Angel - restoring without restore CD? Well damn, why couldn't it be that easy on all machines? LOL Thanks!
My System Specs

Similar Threads
Thread	Forum
system restore not restoring anything	General Discussion
Restoring files and folders after system restore?	General Discussion
Restoring XP Restore Point from Vista?	Vista performance & maintenance
system restore vista not restoring	Vista General
Restoring files after a Complete PC Restore	Vista General