OEM Recovery Disk or Partition?

sixtiesman

New Member
I have a Compaq machine with HP software. My machine is running slow (it has a 2.5 rating) and four files come up missing when it boots. I would like to reinstall VISTA (or preferably XP if I can get a copy). I got the computer from a friend who does not remember what disks, if any, came with it. I have SP1 installed but I do not have a recovery disk or an original installation disk. How would I know if there was a installation or recovery disk? Would I likely get anywhere asking Compaq or HP for help? Any other suggestions?
Stephen
 

My Computer

Hope this helps

"If you're like most PC users, you probably got Windows Vista with a new PC or laptop. And if you're like 99% of the population, you get your new machines from one of the major manufacturers. Dell, Acer, HP, Toshiba, Lenovo, they all have one thing in common: they don't give you a real Windows Vista installation disc with your purchase. Instead, they bundle what they call a "recovery disc" (that's if you're lucky - otherwise you'll have a recovery partition instead) with your machine and leave it at that. It doesn't matter that you just paid a thousand dollars for a machine that comes with a valid Windows Vista license - your computer manufacturer just don't want to spend the money (or perhaps take on the responsibility) of giving you a Windows Vista installation DVD to accompany your expensive purchase.
The problem is, with Windows Vista, the installation media serves more than one purpose. It's not just a way to get Windows installed, it's also the only way of recovering a borked installation. The Windows Vista DVD has a "recovery center" that provides you with the option of recovering your system via automated recovery (searches for problems and attempts to fix them automatically), rolling-back to a system restore point, recovering a full PC backup, or accessing a command-line recovery console for advanced recovery purposes.
Microsoft seems to have realized this problem, and have thankfully made a recovery disc for this purpose. It contains the contents of the Windows Vista DVD's "recovery center," as we've come to refer to it. It cannot be used to install or reinstall Windows Vista, and just serves as a Windows PE interface to recovering your PC. Technically, one could re-create this installation media with freely-downloadable media from Microsoft (namely the Microsoft WAIK kit, a multi-gigabyte download); but it's damn-decent of Microsoft to make this available to Windows' users who might not be capable of creating such a thing on their own."


Vista 32 Recovery Disk
http://neosmart.net:6969/torrent.html?info_hash=c7411cffb5b0c27b28d0ec080af55ea0016f7b7b

Vista64 Recovery Disk
http://neosmart.net:6969/torrent.html?info_hash=fbf47dd7d63708ea2e7acac1709747c5f7eb94b5


Link

http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Scratch Built
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core 6600
    Motherboard
    Asus P5B
    Memory
    4096 MB Xtreme-Dark 800mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotac Amp Edition 8800GT - 512MB DDR3, O/C 700mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 206BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680 X 1024
    Hard Drives
    4 X Samsung 500GB 7200rpm Serial ATA-II HDD w. 16MB Cache .
    PSU
    550 w
    Case
    Thermaltake
    Cooling
    3 x octua NF-S12-1200 - 120mm 1200RPM Sound Optimised Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Mouse
    Targus
    Internet Speed
    1500kbs
    Other Info
    Self built.
You should be able to use the F11 button when you first start your computer to get into the recovery to make your computer as it was brand new. Also you could go through start, all programs, pc help and tools, then click on recovery manager to reinstall vista.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
You should be able to use the F11 button when you first start your computer to get into the recovery to make your computer as it was brand new. Also you could go through start, all programs, pc help and tools, then click on recovery manager to reinstall vista.


I just discovered that. :cry::cry: Thanks mate for covering for me.:D
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Scratch Built
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core 6600
    Motherboard
    Asus P5B
    Memory
    4096 MB Xtreme-Dark 800mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotac Amp Edition 8800GT - 512MB DDR3, O/C 700mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 206BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680 X 1024
    Hard Drives
    4 X Samsung 500GB 7200rpm Serial ATA-II HDD w. 16MB Cache .
    PSU
    550 w
    Case
    Thermaltake
    Cooling
    3 x octua NF-S12-1200 - 120mm 1200RPM Sound Optimised Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Mouse
    Targus
    Internet Speed
    1500kbs
    Other Info
    Self built.
Yeah I had to do that a couple of times and I have an HP Compaq computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
As myself and many other techs have already found out,
many of the new pc's today are made up of hardware for which there are NO XP drivers and never will be.
So backing up to XP on those Vista PC's is totally impossible.
I'm specifically thinking of a little HP laptop that falls into that category.

So if you don't want Vista, buy a computer that comes with XP installed.
I just installed a cute little eMachine (Mini Desktop) last night that was purchased from Wal-Mart, with XP installed.

That's the only retail store that I personally know of that's still selling XP loaded PC's.

Good Luck,
The Shadow :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    AMD Athlon Dual Core 5200+
    Motherboard
    MSI K9N Platinum
    Memory
    4 gigs DDR2-800
    Graphics Card(s)
    WinFast
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" Envision LCD
    Hard Drives
    2 Maxtor 160 gig SATA2
    1 Seagate 200 gig SATA2
    PSU
    Antec Earthwatts 650
    Case
    Pac Man
    Cooling
    13 fans
    Keyboard
    Generic
    Mouse
    MS-Digital
    Internet Speed
    Cable-5 meg
    Other Info
    Homemade, under constant mod.
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