recovery partition and HDD partitioning

On Vista machines the Image Restore option is accessed via the F8 menu, rather than via Ctrl-F11. Don't know for certain where it is for Win7, but probably on the F8 menu too.

If you repartition the hard drive you will change the MBR which will likely prevent you from using Image Restore. Additionally, I don't believe Dell is supplying OS installation disks any longer.

That said, Win 7 gives you the option to create a backup image of your hard drive and  boot CD so you can restore the image. I suggest you create a clean "generic" image of your new hard drive before you add any software, updates etc, and before you try to partition it. There's a good tutorial for the backup tool here.

The backup tool lets you create images as often as you want, so you can always create others after you get everything installed the way you want. But a generic one seems like a good idea to me.

Ron

 

Adding to RoHe´s advice.

I would like to partition the existing C: drive on the hard drive into three partitions. Should I send away for the recovery disks before attempting this?

It is my understanding that the new W7 DeLLs come with 4 partitions: C: for W7, D: to store data and two more partitions for DeLL Diagnostics and Recovery Image.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/t/19331030.aspx

W7 can be installed again with any OS DVD you got, DeLL´s or otherwise. Dell Diagnostics can be installed only if you have the Drivers & Utilities disk for your machine. There are not any recovery disks with an image for any Dell´s PC available. So if you, in any way, touch that partition, it is going to be impossible to do a PC Restore. There is a method in Vista to recover that image after the MBR has been touched or modified:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/t/19374543.aspx?PageIndex=1

Uhps. It seems that Dell deleted the thread. It is a shame, Sorry. However, that method was used on W7 without any good results:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/t/19312488.aspx

  

W7 PC Restore by DeLL.

Keep in mind that by doing a PC restore, all progs, games, files (docs, pictures, movies, songs), drivers, Service Packs, and Windows updates that you had installed until then are going to be deleted, and would be needed to be installed again. The only applications that will not need to be installed again are BIOS and firmwares. So do your backup to an external media. To avoid this you need periodicals System Image Backups in case of a mishap, again to an external media (HDD, DVD, Flash Card, Pen Drive) depending on the size of the backup.

How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7.

How to Do a System Image Recovery in Windows 7.

Hope it helps.

Well thank you both for your replies. I'm not to happy with this. Recovery disks can be requested at:

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form

I'll have to wait and see and look at this data partition D: if  it is accessable and if it will not be overwritten on a reinstall. A retail windows 7 or any other prior os cd does not see these hidden partitions and will not install without a format. I have heard this any times from people who have tried. Probably wouldn't except the Dell oem key work in activating through MS for that matter either if you used someone elses OEM or retail disk. The problem is if an os failes to boot without some sort of commercial PE enviroment with the capability to writting to media you are sunk. I owned a Dell before that I bought some 12 years ago and it seemed that Dell's solution for just about anything has been just to reinstall without even attempt a try at a repair. By saving data to another partition solves this dilema with out having to constantly back up of the drive to another source or the expense of another device to back up to. The HDDs are so large these days that they mostly go unused at least by me. I remember something about there being an unoffical mbr fix for xp and the ability to to at least reinstall from the hidden partition with Ghost.

Thanks again

 

Dell doesn't provide a "recovery' disk. Dell provides an OS reinstallation disk. The difference is that a recovery disk is an exact image of the hard drive including the OS, hardware drivers, and any software that may have been provided. Dell's reinstallation disk only installs Windows. You have to install the drivers and software separately after the OS is installed.

It's my understanding that the link in your post will permanently disappear fairly soon. So make your own Win 7 image and boot disks as soon as you get the system.

Ron

 

Thanks RoHe,

" Dell provides an OS reinstallation disk." I hope that this is the case. I spoke with a service rep and he told me that I will receive disks in the box.

On this page it says otherwise.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/document?c=us&docid=62A668E1C399857AE040AE0AB8E12942&l=en&s=gen

Dell no longer provides the operating system or resource disks in the box for Windows 7 Systems. It is important for you to create recovery disks in case of a hard drive failure. If you do not create the recovery disks, there may be a charge from Dell for the operating system recovery media.

I never cared much about imaging and always prefer to do a clean install. If this is the case that I will have to always work off an image, I am not interested. Vlite will not slipstream service packs on to a partition image, I will just stop payment and return the unit.

Thanks again.

 

Keep in mind you may have to pay shipping costs to return the system and Dell may charge you a re-stocking fee, since it's not defective or the wrong item.

Seems like most PC makers are no longer including a true reinstallation disk any more. Saves them money and cuts down on people illegalliy installing the OS on multiple systems without paying Microsoft for it.

Dell stopped including a Windows reinstall disk for a while, a few years back, and put a single-use imaging app on the hard drive. They expected people to image the drive when they got the system. Unfortunately most people didn't do that so Dell ended up sending out OS disks to all those people when their systems crashed. Dell eventually started including the OS disk again. So now we're back to a "no disk" cycle.

I suspect if your system crashed, you might be able to pursuade Tech Support to send an OS reinstall disk to you, but that will probably be on a case-by-case basis, and they may charge S/H fees. Keep in mind I don't work for Dell so I can't guarantee what they will/won't do. :emotion-5:

As for not being able to slip-stream an image. You could just create a new hard drive image whenever you've installed a new Service Pack. Obviously that's not a clean "generic" image of the hard drive when it was new, but it's way better than nothing..

Ron

 

Three recent experiences related to reinstall disks ... for what its worth ... HP DV9640 bought in January 09 did not come with the reinstall disks, hard drive failed in June, they sent disks with the drive with no questions and no bill.  Dell PowerEdge 2950 came with reinstall disks, an IT guy lost them, Dell replaced them at no charge.  Dell Inspiron 1764 bought in February of THIS year - Win7x64 - came WITH the reinstall disks.

Dell doesn't do restocking fees.

 

According to this page  , Dell charges restocking fees:

Q	Does DellTM  charge a restocking fee for returns?

A	Unless the product is defective or the return is a direct result of a Dell error, a restocking fee may apply of up to 15% of the purchase price paid, plus any applicable sales tax. For full details see the Dell Return Policy.

 

And Dell's policy about including the Win 7 reinstallation disk with the system is about to change, and so is their policy to send the disks to anyone/everyone who requests them. 

Maybe the OP is lucky and sneaked in under the wire. :emotion-5:

Ron

That's funny, because just after I posted that I remembered reading that somewhere on the site, but in the business world and when I did work for Dell (albeit Server support, not Care) I've never seen anyone actually charged a restocking fee.  Maybe they are (or have been) more liberal with the "result of a Dell error" part ;) 

I've suspected they'll begin to crack down on a lot of things they do to save a buck or two if business continues to be tough, including the software, free support, customer-replaceable parts, restocking fees, etc.

FYI I just received this from Dell:

Thank you for contacting Dell Online Customer Care.

I understand from your e-mail that you want to know if OS disk will be included in the box in which you will get your Inspiron 570 purchased under order # xxxxxxxxx.

Please be informed that OS disk is sent with the system orders. However, if you do not receive it with your system, please reply to this e-mail within 21 days from the date of invoice of your order. Your order was invoiced on 04-23-10.

I'll try again and hopefully it will be more visible

FYI I just received this from Dell:

I understand from your e-mail that you want to know if OS disk will be included in the box in which you will get your Inspiron 570 purchased under order # -------------------.

Please be informed that OS disk is sent with the system orders. However, if you do not receive it with your system, please reply to this e-mail within 21 days from the date of invoice of your order. Your order was invoiced on 04-23-10.