UNSOLVED
pc restore
New computers from Dell now have a program called pc restore by symantec. Little is known about the program. Seems to have a hidden partician, on the drive where an image is stored of the system when it was brand new, befor you added additional software. I am just curious if this hidden partician can be backed (backup the backup) up incase the hard drive were to go down.
Maybe someone with a new system has searched for this partician and found it?
532
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Posted August 3rd, 2004 09:00
You are not missing a CD with an image. The restore image is on your c drive in a hidden partician. From what I gather it is about 3.5 gig in size.
532
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Posted August 3rd, 2004 10:00
Meggi,
Thanks for the reply.
I don't know why Dell would even list it on the invoice if there not going to make it available for the owner to use. IF they did not want to provide a DVD with the Image They could have atleast provided instructions so we could locate and burn it ourselfs.
If anyone knows how to do this please let us know.
532
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Posted August 3rd, 2004 10:00
I know it is not an excuse, but from what I hear this image is a new feature on new Dells. I think that manyhave questions, but.....when you start the computer and the dell screen appears press and hold the control key than press the F11 than release them both at the same time. The restore screen by symantec will appear. After that just cancell, that will prove that the restore works. I do not have the new computer yet, still being built, so let me know if that screen comes up.532
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Posted August 3rd, 2004 13:00
jkhilburger,
See the following:
Steve
532
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Posted August 3rd, 2004 14:00
Steve,
Thanks for the links.
I have verified This Image program is on the Computer I received last week from Dell. This will work good as long as the Harddrive itself does not Fail.
Im not up on how hidden partitions work. Is there a way for me to view and move the image file?
532
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Posted August 3rd, 2004 14:00
Sorry, I don't know. Dell has only been shipping computers with thispartition on it for a couple of weeks. I don't have a computer with the partition, so I can't play with it. I'm sure that in the next couple of weeks someone will report on their success or failure to copy the hidden partition.
Steve
532
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Posted August 9th, 2004 23:00
I bet it works like ZZTop used to, and if the MBR is modified the image is toast. I doubt that partition can be backed up, except through means of ghost or something. Too bad I don't itDidn't defrag also mess up that image?
Message Edited by cyberdelic on 08-09-2004 07:44 PM
532
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Posted August 11th, 2004 05:00
ok here goes.. just got the new 8400
installed some software royally messed up xp,
so i decide to pop in the XP reinstallation cd since i didn't know about the new system restore software (DOESN'T MENTION IT IN THE MANUAL!!! OR IF YOU FORMAT REINSTALL XP YOU LOOSE THIS OPTION!!!!!)
xp reformats the C: partition ONLY, the utils partition and the "CP/M, conncurent dos, CTOS" (its what partition magic calls it anyways) are left UNTOUCHED
my install of xp is ok, but i would like to restore the image to have the computer back to how it came..
that 3.5 gig partition HAS to be the image file.. but i can't read it.. and since i've formated C: the "ctrl f11" feature doesn't work anymore
oh, and the bombay indians on the phone didn't know jack.. the idiot kept telling me it isn't image file because i don't have a second drive(HARD TO UNDERSTAND PEOPLE THAT DON'T USE ENGLISH AS A FIRST LANGUAGE! HINT HINT) It IS an image because its GHOST that loads the thing!
oh, and they won't authorize a new factory loaded drive for you either...
btw, nice move dell, because of this and the bombay indians you can't understand, this is the last computer I, my company, my parents comany, and everyone else i recommend buying computers to, have ever bought... but mainly because of the indian call center :)
754
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Posted August 12th, 2004 16:00
Formating the C: partition should have no effect on the restore image. Just make sure that you are pressing CTRL + F11 fast enough(you have roughly 2 seconds). You should also be able to get to the restore screen even if the image is deleted although it will not be able to restore anything if there is no image.
Respectfully,
jkhilburger
5 Posts
532
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Posted August 3rd, 2004 07:00
I just purchased a New Dell system and My invoice has Restore Image listed on it.
I assumed this was a Hardrive Image file burned on a CD that I could use to restore the harddrive to the original configuration if It failed. When I received the computer there was no Image disk with it and so far Dell customer service has not responded to my report of missing software.
I sure would like to know where this Image is located so I can back it up if Dell does not provide the Image on CD