create a recovery disk from a recovery partition

For Vista its F8 at power on self test (POST).  If it's Windows XP, its CTRL/F11 at  POST.

There is no way, that I recall ever seeing on this forum, to create anything from the recovery partition.  And, if that will not work you will have to reinstall with discs.  The recovery is also keyed to a sector on the hard drive and if that has been changed or corrupted the Dell recovery will not work (e.g. if it's been installed or updated using a Windows disc, if a different OS has been installed, etc).

thanks for replying, this might sound stupid or something, im not really sure. but would it make a difference if i could copy the files on the partition onto a flash drive then do some image burn or something.

sorry if this is a stupid question.

thanks for replying, this might sound stupid or something, im not really sure. but would it make a difference if i could copy the files on the partition onto a flash drive then do some image burn or something.

sorry if this is a stupid question.

random36745,

Sonds like your only option is to request backup disks, if you cannot find yours.

If you''re in the United States, Request Backup Disks USA If in another Country, contact Dell Tech Support in your Country.

Rick

random36745,

If you have Windows 7, you can create disks if the recovery partition is not corrupt or missing.

Windows 7 - IMPORTANT Windows 7 Backup Disks to create

Rick

its still on vista and i dont have a windows 7 disc to upgrade my OS.

yeah, i figured as much by now, thanks anyway though.

i've just done a manual install with a vista disc i found lying around

Hello random36745

Go here and read post #16 and download SetAutoFailover.zip and run the command script file. It might fix the F-8 recovery partition.

Tom  :emotion-1:

This is a long way round to do it but I know this will work.  First download and burn a Live Ubuntu OS CD. Its free so not costs involved.

With this Boot-able CD you can boot up into Ubuntu  OS without any installation and it will run off the ram and CD.  Once you have booted up then you can access all flies and folders on your Windows hard drive regardless if they are hidden or protected.

From there look for the program Gparted and open that. This is a very powerful HDD partition editor for cloning, modifying, resizing and so on of any hard drive. It will show you even partitions hidden under windows including the rescue partition.

You have a few options from there. Simply copy paste to clone the content of the whole hidden partition onto a CD or DVD, external USB HDD or a USB sick. .

Now you will have a copy of your rescue partition.

If its an older computer, then some of the latest releases of Ubuntu struggle to work on them. If you find this happening then the best version to use is 10.04. Dont go any earlier than 10.04 becasue they wont have Gparted on them and you will need to install it from their online repository. If you not familiar with Linux/Ubuntu this will be a night mare to figure out.

Good luck.