Create a Recovery Disc

INFO: This will show you how to download or create a Recovery Disc for both the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista.

NOTE: The Recovery Disc created here does not install Vista. It is also not like the OEM Vista recovery DVD that comes with most store bought computers. Instead it is used to boot from to repair your already installed Vista. See the example below for the options available from the recovery disc when booted from.

WHY: This can be useful if you only have a OEM Vista recovery DVD or partition and would like to have a dvd to boot from to repair your Vista instead of reinstalling it. Plus, the recovery disk files are small enough to fit on a CD if you do not want to or can use a DVD.

RELATED LINKS:
1. How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista

2. How to Do a Startup Repair in Vista

3. How to Do a System Restore in Vista

4. How to Restore the Complete Computer from a Complete Backup and Restore Image in Vista

5. How to Use the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Vista

6. List of Commands for Vista and How to Use Them

7. How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD


EXAMPLE: System Recovery Options screen
NOTE: You will Boot to this screen with the Recovery Disc you will create below using the instructions here: How to Do a Startup Repair in Vista . See the related links above for how to do each option.

Startup_Repair.jpg


OPTION ONE:
Through a Download:
NOTE: This option is perfect if you do not have a retail Vista installation DVD and only have a OEM Vista recovery DVD or partition, or if you do not have the Vista SP1 installed.

STEP ONE:
Download the ISO file:
NOTE: Be sure to download the 32 bit or 64 bit version for your version of Vista. To see what bit version you have of Vista, open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon, or right click Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties. You will see the bit version under the System type section.

1. Download the 32 bit or 64 bit ISO file from here:
NOTE: This will be a torrent download. Instructions on how to download a torrent file are at the site below.

http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/download-windows-vista-x64-recovery-disc/

2. Follow the instructions at the site to convert the torrent file to a ISO file, then you can use their instructions to burn the ISO to DVD or the ones here in STEP TWO below. Either one will work just fine.


STEP TWO:
Burn the ISO file to CD or DVD:
NOTE: You can use any ISO burner you like, but here are instructions with one you can use in this tutorial.

3. Download and install the 32 bit or 64 bit version of the program ISO Recorder v3 for your version of Vista at:
NOTE: Be sure to download the 32 bit or 64 bit version for your version of Vista. To see what bit version you have of Vista, open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon, or right click Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties. You will see the bit version under the System type section.

http://alexfeinman.brinkster.net/Vista.htm

4. Use the instructions at this link to burn the ISO file from STEP ONE above to a CD or DVD.
NOTE: You will right click the ISO file (on desktop) and click on Copy image to CD, then follow the rest of the instructions at the link. Be sure to have a blank CD or DVD in the drive first of course.

http://alexfeinman.brinkster.net/HowTo.htm

5. Now you can boot from this Recovery Disc to go to the screen in the example above.


OPTION TWO:
The Manual Way:
NOTE: This option is useful only if you have the Vista SP1 installed and have a retail Vista installation DVD to use to create a Recovery Disc with your version of Vista for yourself or for someone else. If you do not have a retail Vista installation DVD, then you can also borrow a friends to use to make one from your computer.

STEP ONE:
Replace the recdisc.exe file:
NOTE: You will need to replace the recdisc.exe file installed by the SP1 with a pre-release SP1 version instead for the 32 bit or 64 bit version of Vista that you have. To see what bit version you have of Vista, open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon, or right click Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties. You will see the bit version under the System type section.

1. For the 32 bit (x86) Vista -
A) recdisc_x86.zip < Click to Download
B) Go to step 3.

2. For the 64 bit (x64) Vista -
A) recdisc_x64.zip < Click to Download

3. Save the ZIP file to your desktop.
4. Right click on the ZIP file (on desktop) and click Open.
5. Click Allow for UAC prompt.
6. Extract the recdisc.exe file to the desktop.
NOTE: You can delete the ZIP file (on desktop) when done if you want to.

7. In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\recdisc.exe. (See screenshot below)
8. Take ownership of the recdisc.exe file here.
NOTE: For how, see METHOD TWO here: How to Take Ownership of a Item in Vista

recdisc.jpg

9. Right click on the recdisc.exe file on the desktop, from step 3, and click Copy.
10. Go back to the C:\Windows\System32\recdisc.exe window and right click on a empty area and click Paste. (See screenshot below step 13)
11. Click on Copy and Replace and Continue.
12. Right click on recdisc.exe and click Send To and Desktop (create shortcut).
13. Place the shortcut where you want for easy use.

replaced_recdisc.jpg

STEP TWO:
Create a Recovery Disc:
14. Click on the recdisc.exe shortcut to run the program.
15. Select your DVD drive and click create disc. (See screenshot below)

Create_Disc.jpg

16. Insert your retail Vista installation DVD into your CD/DVD drive and click Continue. (See screenshot below)

Vista_DVD.jpg

17. You will now see this. (See screenshot below)

Preparing.jpg

18. After a little bit, it will ask you to replace the Vista installation DVD with a blank CD or DVD.
A) Insert a blank CD or DVD into your CD/DVD drive and click OK. (See screenshot below)

Ready_Blank.jpg

19. When it is finished click on Close for both windows. (See screenshots below)

Using.jpg
Finished.jpg

20. Now you can boot from this Recovery Disc to go to the screen in the example above.


That's it,
Shawn