How to repair/create a Vista Recovery disk for those Without a Vista Installation DVD

rive0108

Vista Guru
Gold Member
Applies to:
Home Basic
Home Premuim


It seems many in the Forum are having an issue with corruption either of the User account and/or Windows that may be a result of Malware and/or User error, and suddenly find themselves without the means to fix or re-install Windows Vista.

If your system is up and running without issue, or you plan to upgrade your hard drives in the future, be proactive and create your own Vista O/S Recovery Disk now. For those even with a Vista DVD, and/or a Recovery Partition the time saved in means of Driver and Program re-installation is a fraction of what it would take you to painstakingly reinstall Windows/Updates/drivers/Programs in the event of unrecoverable failure or error.

If you have a Vista Retail/Upgrade/OEM disk (as opposed to recovery media), and are having problems, there is also a a way to "repair" Vista without losing your Data/Programs.

Here is how:

1. Create your own Recovery Disk for free:
Requires DVD's, and/or External Hard Drive at least 250GB in size (recommended)

Download and Install Paragon's free Disk imaging software (drive backup), This will create a Bootable Recovery Image of your entire Hardrive and Installed Partitions.
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/

Set up Vista's File Backup Utility to backup weeekly:
Start>Control Panel>System and Maintenance>Backup and Restore Center

HOW IT WORKS:
In the event of catastrophic failure, boot into Recovery image, and reinstall, then restore all files changed since image was created through Vista's File Backup Utility

2. Repair for those with Retail/Upgrade/OEM Vista O/S disks
Tutorial (Courtesy of Brink):http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html?ltr=R


For other issues, there is a wealth of troubleshooting Walkthrough Tutorals here for almost every conceivable problem:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    T7600G Core2Duo 2.66 Ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobility Radeon x1900 256MB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    WUXGA 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    640GB 7200RPM SATA/RAID 0 (2x320GB)
    and 320GB 7200RPM External
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft 3000
    Internet Speed
    10 mbps/2 mbps
    Other Info
    Optical Drive:
    Panasonic UJ-220 DL BD-RE (Blu-Ray)
Re: How to repair/create a Vista Recovery disk for those Without a Vista Installation

Thanks Rive. Good info.

Admin: This should be a sticky.

~Lordbob
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5QC
    Memory
    2x2GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9500GT 1Gb
    Sound Card
    Mobo
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 206bw
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SP2514N ATA 250Gb 7200RPM
    Samsung [Model] 1Tb 7200RPM SATA2
    PSU
    Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W
    Keyboard
    Razer Tarantula
    Mouse
    Razer Lachesis
    Internet Speed
    not fast enough

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    T7600G Core2Duo 2.66 Ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobility Radeon x1900 256MB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    WUXGA 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    640GB 7200RPM SATA/RAID 0 (2x320GB)
    and 320GB 7200RPM External
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft 3000
    Internet Speed
    10 mbps/2 mbps
    Other Info
    Optical Drive:
    Panasonic UJ-220 DL BD-RE (Blu-Ray)
Re: How to repair/create a Vista Recovery disk for those Without a Vista Installation

Nice. Good Job Rive.

~Lordbob
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5QC
    Memory
    2x2GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9500GT 1Gb
    Sound Card
    Mobo
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 206bw
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SP2514N ATA 250Gb 7200RPM
    Samsung [Model] 1Tb 7200RPM SATA2
    PSU
    Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W
    Keyboard
    Razer Tarantula
    Mouse
    Razer Lachesis
    Internet Speed
    not fast enough
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