I never bother with the backup DVDs - i often will image them thought.
But... mine all came with recovery CDs so i didn't need the recovery
partition.
i do #2 on mine several months after getting it - this gives me time to know
what the software they included is good for (esp dvd software). I don't
usually reformat the ones the kids, phil get or that i setup for family - i
just go through add/remove and remove the crap stuff and delete stuff off
the HD. i don't want to miss a driver and then have to talk them through
fixing it. With DVD burners preinstalled, i also don't want to lose the
preinstalled burner software - it meets their limited needs.
Getting all the drivers is the only real problem I have - it's usually just
a slow process to install everything but the last time i reformatted i
missed a driver and needed that feature (change the resolution on the tablet
by tapping a button on the edge of the screen) while traveling. That was not
fun as i didn't know which driver controled it.
There may be a software install folder on the HD - copy it to cd too.
On 6/14/06, James Maki <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I have a some questions regarding a new laptop I purchased for my daughter
for college. The last time I purchased a "name brand" computer with
pre-installed software was circa 1996, a desktop with Windows 95 that
actually came with a full version of Win95 on a CD as well as full CDs for
all the included software.
This recently purchased laptop (hp pavilion dv5140us) came with lots of
extraneous software, no CDs and a recovery partition. Per instructions, I
created a set of recovery DVDs (4 total!). I also made a GHOST image to
DVD
of the C: partition (3 DVDs). I then partitioned the one hard drive into
several new partitions. I have installed MS Office, AV software and a
firewall (immediately removing Norton Internet Security).
Before I proceed, I have several questions;
1) With the recovery DVDs created, can I safely delete the recovery
partition? I assume yes, but assuming always me worry. I just want to be
able to get back to a factory fresh setup in case I completey FUBAR the
system.
2) Is wiping and starting from scratch a viable option? The system came
installed with Windows Media Center 2002. I have a maps subscription and
WMC
2002 and 2005 OEM as well as Win XP pro available. I know some support the
automatic format and install from scratch while others endorse the "clean
the system" approach. Just looking for pros and cons for each approach.
--
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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