Create a Recovery Disc

How to Create a Vista Recovery Disc​

   Information

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 created from the factory recovery partition. Instead it is used only to boot from to repair your already installed Vista. See the example below for the options available from the recovery disc when booted from.

   Tip

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.

EXAMPLE: System Recovery Options screen
NOTE: Using the Recovery Disc you create below, you can boot to the System Recovery Options screen below.

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Here's How:

STEP ONE

Replace the recdisc.exe file

   Note

If you have SP1 or SP2 installed, then you will need to replace the recdisc.exe file installed by SP1/SP2 with a non-SP retail version below instead for the 32 bit or 64 bit version of Vista that you have installed.

   Note

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To see what 32-bit or 64-bit version of Vista you have, 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.​

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If you ever run the sfc /scannow command, then it will restore the old original non-working copy of the recdisc.exe file, and you would have to do this STEP ONE section again to be able to create a Vista Recovery Disc.​

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1. If You Have 32 bit (x86) Vista Installed​

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A) Click on the Download button below to download the recdisc_x86.zip file.​

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B) Go to step 3.​

2. If You Have 64 bit (x64) Vista Installed​

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A) Click on the Download button below to download the recdisc_x64.zip file.​

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3. Save the ZIP file to your desktop.​

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4. Right click on the ZIP file (on desktop), and click on Open.​

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5. If prompted by UAC, then click on Allow.​

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6. Extract (drag and drop) the recdisc.exe file to the desktop.​

NOTE: You can delete the ZIP file (on desktop) when done if you like afterwards.​

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7. Right click on the extracted recdisc.exe file, click on Properties, General tab, the Unblock button, and on OK.​

NOTE: If you do not have a Unblock button under the General tab, then the shortcut is already unblocked and you can continue on to step 8.​

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8. In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\recdisc.exe. (See screenshot below)​

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9. Take ownership of and set permissions to Allow your user account Full Control of the recdisc.exe file at the location in step 8.​

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10. Right click on the extracted recdisc.exe file on the desktop from step 6, and click on Cut.​

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11. Go back to the C:\Windows\System32\recdisc.exe window and right click on a empty area and click on Paste. (See screenshot below step 13)​

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12. Click on Copy and Replace and Continue.​

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13. Right click on recdisc.exe, and click on Send To and Desktop (create shortcut).​

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14. Move the shortcut to where you like for easy use.​

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STEP TWO

Creating a Recovery Disc

15. Double click on the recdisc.exe shortcut on your desktop created from above to run the program.​

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16. Select your DVD drive, and click on create disc. (See screenshot below.​

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17. Insert your retail Vista installation DVD into the CD/DVD drive, and click on Continue. (See screenshot below)​

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18. You will now see this. (See screenshot below)​

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19. After a little bit, it will ask you to replace the Vista installation DVD with a blank CD or DVD.​

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A) Insert a blank CD or DVD into your CD/DVD drive and click on OK. (See screenshot below)​

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

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21. Now you can boot from this Recovery Disc to go to the System Recovery Options screen in the example above.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista
• How to Do a Startup Repair in Vista
• How to Do a System Restore in Vista
• How to Restore the Complete Computer from a Complete Backup and Restore Image in Vista
• How to Use the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Vista
• List of Commands for Vista and How to Use Them
• How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD
• How to Create a Bootable USB Flash Thumb Drive to Install Vista
• How to Do a Custom Installation of Vista

 

[Brink]

Avol2,

Vista x86 is Vista 32 bit. It's just another way of saying it.

Instead of using HP recovery, boot from the Recovery Disc you created here in this tutorial and do the System Restore option to use the restore points created by Vista and not HP's program.

Shawn

 

[avol2]

Avol2,

Vista x86 is Vista 32 bit. It's just another way of saying it.

Instead of using HP recovery, boot from the Recovery Disc you created here in this tutorial and do the System Restore option to use the restore points created by Vista and not HP's program.

Shawn

thanks for your quick reply.. ugh.. I d/led the 64 version I think... I will get the 86 (since I had no Idea)

when the disk read it only recognized the HP recovery nothing else on the c drive. a matter of fact it didnt show the c drive it showed unknown location even though it executed it.

 

[Brink]

Since it is not recognizing the C: drive, create the 32 bit Recovery Disc and boot from it and run a Startup Repair to see if that will fix the problem. This should repair anything that may be preventing it from booting into Vista. If not, then boot from the Recovery Disc again and run a System Restore using a restore point dated before your problem started.

Hope this helps you,
Shawn

 

[avol2]

Since it is not recognizing the C: drive, create the 32 bit Recovery Disc and boot from it and run a Startup Repair to see if that will fix the problem. This should repair anything that may be preventing it from booting into Vista. If not, then boot from the Recovery Disc again and run a System Restore using a restore point dated before your problem started.

Hope this helps you,
Shawn

I had tried the system restore, but it said there was not a restore point saved? maybe because I used the 64 version? I am d/ling the 86 now and will try it when I get home... the computer is only 6 months old.. between last night and this morning I think I grew 100 more gray hairs.. lol.. Thanks for your help.. cross fingers that tonight I can log on from the HP and not my laptop or work computer like I am now.. haha
Julie

 

[avol2]

so I tried the repair and the software will not fix it..

the error code is :
problem event name : Startup Repair V2
Problem signature 01: external media
Problem signature 02: 6.0.6000.16386.0.0.0.0
Problem signature 03: 0
Problem signature 04:65536
Problem signature 05: unknown.. thru 10
OS version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.256.1
locale ID 1033
^^^ does anyone know what the heck that is?

I was able to get into DOS.. the D drive is my HD, and the X drive is the partion for the HP backup etc.. using the system recovery options software the repairs were not able to be done... but going thru dos and executing the file itself I was able to get the repair software running, but it appears to be doing nthing for about 3 hours.


I was able to get into some of the sub directories and copy *.* to my portable hd, but any ideas how to get dos to allow into a directory vlearly called "mom & dad" ?
dos is not wanting anything to do with that & sign..

Julie

 

[Brink]

Julie,

You can use the DIR /X command to see the short DOS 8.3 name for that file. It will be something like Mom~d. You can then use that name instead to access it.

You can read more about it here:

DOS help - Tech Support Guy Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[avol2]

Avol2,

Vista x86 is Vista 32 bit. It's just another way of saying it.

Instead of using HP recovery, boot from the Recovery Disc you created here in this tutorial and do the System Restore option to use the restore points created by Vista and not HP's program.

Shawn

Okay I got to here..."D" is my hard drive... Was able to get to adding the date for system restore as 6/9/08 (since on 6/10/08 there was a BIG Windows d/l... so I got to the place to choose the disks to restore.. and boom... another screen says THE HP DISK (D HAS ERRORS. check disk option comes up.. so I choose to do both, automatically fix file system errors & scan and attempt recovery of bad sectors... ...... Then I got a screen YOUR DEVICE WAS SUCCESSFULLY SCANNED... NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND ON THE DEVICE OR DISK... but after that program I can not run the restore because that window keeps popping up that I have errors on the device or disk ?!?!? its a vicious loop..

so for now I went inti the startup repair and will let that run thru the night if I have to.. I guess I am getting closer..


BUT I wish I could access that sub directory
/mom & dad ugh... if I could access that then I wouldnt care about loosing anything else....

thanks for all your help...

 

[avol2]

Julie,

You can use the DIR /X command to see the short DOS 8.3 name for that file. It will be something like Mom~d. You can then use that name instead to access it.

You can read more about it here:

DOS help - Tech Support Guy Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

you are my new best friend !! Thanks.. its been along time since xtree pro and dos.. so that language is a bit lost hey are you in Dallas? I will be there for business next week.. I would love to buy ya a beer!!!

thanks again..
Julie

 

[Brink]

LOL, I hear you Julie. I had to look up that command myself since it's been a while since I last used DOS to.

That sounds great, but I'm about a couple of hours north of that.

Cheers anyway,
Shawn

 

[johngalt]

I wish I had seen this thread - I still remember more about DOS than I ever wanted too lol...

Ahhh, the good old days of XTree Gold...

Speaking of which - Julie, you might be interested in xplorer² Windows File Manager (Explorer replacement) - a great little app for Windows.

I bought the Pro version, but the lite version works perfectly well in Vista (if you're mindful of the times when it won't work - namely, when you need extra permissions to copy / move something / perform an action in any location that would normally pop up a UAC prompt)....

x2 also allows for scripting, interface manipulation, skinning, and even running commands from directly inside the file manager- it is by far one of the most robust pieces of software I have ever used.

 

[avol2]

LOL, I hear you Julie. I had to look up that command myself since it's been a while since I last used DOS to.

That sounds great, but I'm about a couple of hours north of that.

Cheers anyway,
Shawn

I will be there for a tradeshow in Dallas, but for the record I will be going out to dinner with a bunch of my biker friends (some as far away as sherman!) (I ride a motorcycle).. we are going to dinner Saturday night at "Big Daddy's Roadhouse BBQ" in Lavon, TX. It's just about 25 miles from Downtown Dallas.. I have no idea where that is, but they want to take me to some good Texan BBQ.. so.. drop on by..
by the way... the computer is still chuggin along..... not sure if it is doing anything or not...

 

[avol2]

I wish I had seen this thread - I still remember more about DOS than I ever wanted too lol...

Ahhh, the good old days of XTree Gold...

Speaking of which - Julie, you might be interested in xplorer² Windows File Manager (Explorer replacement) - a great little app for Windows.

I bought the Pro version, but the lite version works perfectly well in Vista (if you're mindful of the times when it won't work - namely, when you need extra permissions to copy / move something / perform an action in any location that would normally pop up a UAC prompt)....

x2 also allows for scripting, interface manipulation, skinning, and even running commands from directly inside the file manager- it is by far one of the most robust pieces of software I have ever used.

well if I can get this darned computer working again I will have to get that.. i really dont like the vista file explorer at all.. .. Xtree pro was so simple.. but such a great way of keeping track of all the files.. back then (late 80's) I ran a WWIV BBS in SoCal and in Okianwa japan.. a long long time ago.. thanks for the tip!

 

[Brink]

Julie,

That's a good BBQ restaurant. You will enjoy it.

What's your computer working on at the moment? Still copying files?

Shawn

 

[johngalt]

Ahhh, the days of FIDO Net and 2400 baud modems....

lol - I remember them well. Unfortunately, because I am dating myself wit that comment lol

 

[avol2]

Julie,

That's a good BBQ restaurant. You will enjoy it.

What's your computer working on at the moment? Still copying files?

Shawn

it is in STARTUP REPAIR
blue line continues to move... and it says '
Attempting Repairs... Repairing disk errors. This might take over and hour to complete.

but there is no way to tell how much it has done if anything...

 

[avol2]

Ahhh, the days of FIDO Net and 2400 baud modems....

lol - I remember them well. Unfortunately, because I am dating myself wit that comment lol

could you imagine going back to that 1200 baud modem??? LOL I remember compuserve was just starting, and BBS's were all over.. While in Okinawa I connected to a BBS in SoCal once a week and was the first to transfer "messages" across the pacific.. I had a few friends that had commodores and 300 baud modems.. WOW.. and I complain that DSL is so slow compared to the cable.. haha
how about that 8088 that me and my hubby built with a 20Meg hard drive! it was turbo speed at 16mhz, normal was 8mhz.. ROFLMAO... boy things sure have changed in 20 yrs.

 

[Brink]

Yeah, unfortanently it can sometimes take awhile to finish when there is a lot to repair.

 

[johngalt]

Rotf - my first computer was the TI 99/4A, from which I graduated to same 8088 processor - Tandy 10000 EX - dual 360K floppies, no HD, 256 K RAM and (get this) - a DMP. There was a time when I though those printers were the best thing in the world.

My next was a Gateway2000 486SX/25 machine with a whopping 8 MB RAM and a 425 Conner HD - the best HD manufacturer out there at the time (too bad WD swallowed them up). I ended up replacing the CPU with a DX2/66, but the mobo only ran in either multiples of 20 MHz or 25 MHz, so I was limited to 50 MHz, and I added a Conner 850 MB drive and 24 MB RAM to max out at 32 MB....

And I thought 850 MB was wayyy tooo large for me and I'd never fill it - and now I have 10000 times that and am worried about space lol...

 

[avol2]

Rotf - my first computer was the TI 99/4A, from which I graduated to same 8088 processor - Tandy 10000 EX - dual 360K floppies, no HD, 256 K RAM and (get this) - a DMP. There was a time when I though those printers were the best thing in the world.

My next was a Gateway2000 486SX/25 machine with a whopping 8 MB RAM and a 425 Conner HD - the best HD manufacturer out there at the time (too bad WD swallowed them up). I ended up replacing the CPU with a DX2/66, but the mobo only ran in either multiples of 20 MHz or 25 MHz, so I was limited to 50 MHz, and I added a Conner 850 MB drive and 24 MB RAM to max out at 32 MB....

And I thought 850 MB was wayyy tooo large for me and I'd never fill it - and now I have 10000 times that and am worried about space lol...

We had a TI-99 too ! to funny... spend a zillion hours on that thing making music in basic... omg... that was 1985.... (feeling old) then 8088, built a 286 in Okinawa (buying from computer shopper), then a 386.. and I never thought I would see gigabytes.. and now we dont even use any kind of floppies.. LOL .. when running the BBS I must of had thousands of the 5 1/4" floppies... I left those with the Ex ! ha ha

 

[johngalt]

Oh, yeah, I made Yankee Doodle among other things in the TI - also played the heck out of some space invaders...