Vista - Back Ups On Vista

I know if you bought a computer with Windows XP, it usually comes with a
operating system back up disk.

The laptop I had just bought came with Windows Vista already installed on
it. So I wondered whether I got jipped since it didn't come with an os
installation back up disk with it - I thought maybe if my system crashed then
I'd have to buy Vista all over again.. then I noticed that it came with a
Windows activation product key.. what would I do with that if my computer
didn't work?

I looked through Vista and found a 'Back up files' option. Which was cool -
I would definitely find that useful. But I can't help thinking that what if
my whole OS shut down on me one day and I couldn't start my computer at all?
-- Usually with a Windows xp computer I could just slick it and install a
fresh new copy of the OS and everything would be fine.

But again, my Vista computer didn't come with one..

Am I just completely missing this whole concept of how Vista works? Does
the 'Back up Files' link mean making a copy of the whole OS too?

Check the documentation that came with your laptop. The manufacturer is NOT
required to provide media with it, though many do and most of the rest who
don't have a utility that will let you create a set of "restore discs" from
the files stored on the hard drive.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
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"Christina" <Christina@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3DC89C76-ACE7-4531-AB4A-0BBA5599759C@microsoft.com...
>I know if you bought a computer with Windows XP, it usually comes with a
> operating system back up disk.
>
> The laptop I had just bought came with Windows Vista already installed on
> it. So I wondered whether I got jipped since it didn't come with an os
> installation back up disk with it - I thought maybe if my system crashed
> then
> I'd have to buy Vista all over again.. then I noticed that it came with a
> Windows activation product key.. what would I do with that if my computer
> didn't work?
>
> I looked through Vista and found a 'Back up files' option. Which was
> cool -
> I would definitely find that useful. But I can't help thinking that what
> if
> my whole OS shut down on me one day and I couldn't start my computer at
> all?
> -- Usually with a Windows xp computer I could just slick it and install a
> fresh new copy of the OS and everything would be fine.
>
> But again, my Vista computer didn't come with one..
>
> Am I just completely missing this whole concept of how Vista works? Does
> the 'Back up Files' link mean making a copy of the whole OS too?

Check your documentation to see if there is a hidden partition on your
computer as this may contain the setup files. My Vaio shipped like this &
the onus was on my to backup these files to a DVD. Cheapskates.

You can open Disk Management & see if there is a hidden partition.

"Christina" <Christina@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3DC89C76-ACE7-4531-AB4A-0BBA5599759C@microsoft.com...
>I know if you bought a computer with Windows XP, it usually comes with a
> operating system back up disk.
>
> The laptop I had just bought came with Windows Vista already installed on
> it. So I wondered whether I got jipped since it didn't come with an os
> installation back up disk with it - I thought maybe if my system crashed
> then
> I'd have to buy Vista all over again.. then I noticed that it came with a
> Windows activation product key.. what would I do with that if my computer
> didn't work?
>
> I looked through Vista and found a 'Back up files' option. Which was
> cool -
> I would definitely find that useful. But I can't help thinking that what
> if
> my whole OS shut down on me one day and I couldn't start my computer at
> all?
> -- Usually with a Windows xp computer I could just slick it and install a
> fresh new copy of the OS and everything would be fine.
>
> But again, my Vista computer didn't come with one..
>
> Am I just completely missing this whole concept of how Vista works? Does
> the 'Back up Files' link mean making a copy of the whole OS too?

I know that the last time I ordered a PC from Dell, I had to select to have the OS backup disk.

--
Jason
Windows Vista RTM
MS Office 2007 RTM
"Christina" <Christina@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:3DC89C76-ACE7-4531-AB4A-0BBA5599759C@microsoft.com...
I know if you bought a computer with Windows XP, it usually comes with a
operating system back up disk.

The laptop I had just bought came with Windows Vista already installed on
it. So I wondered whether I got jipped since it didn't come with an os
installation back up disk with it - I thought maybe if my system crashed then
I'd have to buy Vista all over again.. then I noticed that it came with a
Windows activation product key.. what would I do with that if my computer
didn't work?

I looked through Vista and found a 'Back up files' option. Which was cool -
I would definitely find that useful. But I can't help thinking that what if
my whole OS shut down on me one day and I couldn't start my computer at all?
-- Usually with a Windows xp computer I could just slick it and install a
fresh new copy of the OS and everything would be fine.

But again, my Vista computer didn't come with one..

Am I just completely missing this whole concept of how Vista works? Does
the 'Back up Files' link mean making a copy of the whole OS too?

I recently purchased a HP Pavilion a1730n, and it was like this. You should
have some kind of program that allows you to make a "recovery" cd/dvd. The
one that came with my computer allows you to do it one time only. Also,
check with your computer manufacturer to see if you can order one. Hp Allows
this also.

Dave

"Christina" <Christina@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3DC89C76-ACE7-4531-AB4A-0BBA5599759C@microsoft.com...
>I know if you bought a computer with Windows XP, it usually comes with a
> operating system back up disk.
>
> The laptop I had just bought came with Windows Vista already installed on
> it. So I wondered whether I got jipped since it didn't come with an os
> installation back up disk with it - I thought maybe if my system crashed
> then
> I'd have to buy Vista all over again.. then I noticed that it came with a
> Windows activation product key.. what would I do with that if my computer
> didn't work?
>
> I looked through Vista and found a 'Back up files' option. Which was
> cool -
> I would definitely find that useful. But I can't help thinking that what
> if
> my whole OS shut down on me one day and I couldn't start my computer at
> all?
> -- Usually with a Windows xp computer I could just slick it and install a
> fresh new copy of the OS and everything would be fine.
>
> But again, my Vista computer didn't come with one..
>
> Am I just completely missing this whole concept of how Vista works? Does
> the 'Back up Files' link mean making a copy of the whole OS too?