Win 7 image, and repair disk

[stroyal]

I got a used Dell Laptop for Christmas, and being a newbie to 7, I was wondering how repair disk, and image works.

First, can I copy the image to a network drive, and then burn it to DVD?(no DVD burner, in laptop)
Can I just copy it to a network drive, then restore, from there? (even on a formatted hard drive)

It doesn't seem to have a restore partition, and came with no media.
Where the heck is "Disk Management"


It's win 7 pro 32, and I see no Key sticker, but is still on warranty, as far as I can see.

I also know the original owner, who sold it to my Son In law, so I know it is lagit.

Latitude E6410

So what is the best way to backup, the operating system?

[RicheemxX]

Image is just that a total snap shot of the disk as is. You can create a complete copy of your current install with all your applications files ect or back-up the most important stuff. With the Windows tools I think you create DVDs right from the start. Wth 3rd party software you usually can back it up to where ever you want to re-install later.

Repair disk is totally different. All that really does is gives you a bootable disk that searches the system for a previous install to recover or repiar. It also gives options to load a recovery image, do a restore ect What are the system recovery options in Windows 7?

For fresh re-installs you really need a copy of the recovery media or a copy of W7. I'd check to see if you can get one from Dell on the cheap.

W7 lets you run apps from the search box just type in disk management

otherwise Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Administrative Tools\Computer Management\Storage

I'm sure you know you can grab the key with a key finder or belarc. I'd make sure to grab that and write it down somewhere.

[stroyal]

The laptop seemed very clean. so I thought an image would be good.

I always run a dedicated backup, so files are not an issue.

Mostly I was wondering if the repair disk, would let me run the image.
Further, would it let me run the image, from a network?

I couldn't remember the key finders, as I have only used them once, so that is handy.

I hate not having disks, so I will probably order some.

[RicheemxX]

Actually I was mistaken, when you create the image it does allow you to save it to either DVDs HDD or a network location. The repair disk is the one that immediately wants to create a new disk.

Yes when you boot to do the system re-image it will give you the option of loading a saved image from the network. It looks like its buried in the advanced settings but here's a walk through that gives the details Guide to Microsoft Windows 7 system image backup and restore to solid state disk (SSD) raid array - i4memory.com - different look at memory

[stroyal]

Thanks Rich "all control panel items" is what I was missing.
It looks like I do have a recovery partition.

And thank you for the guide.

It has only been 2 days, but I'm already getting used to 7.

[osprey4]

Stroyal,

Two things. First, Dell has their OS restore partition right on the hard drive. As long as the drive isn't damaged, this can be used to restore the factory image.

Second, Dell also provides a utility called Dell DataSafe that allows you to create a backup image of the original factory installation onto DVD, which can be used for any future image restore.

As RicheeMX said, though, I'd request a Windows 7 disc.

[stroyal]

Thanks Osprey, I'll look into DataSafe.
I found Factory Restore, so I'm less concerned, but I am going to order disks.