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    Backup whole HD onto DVD + re-install ?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Mehul9216, Mar 3, 2008.

  1. Mehul9216

    Mehul9216 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi All

    I have just got my XPS m1530, and am about to re-install a clean copy of Vista in order to get all the rubbish off it.

    I just have a few questions :

    1. I got a Vista DVD in the box with my XPS m1530, is this a Microsoft 'normal' Vista Home Premium DVD, or has it been tampered with by Dell in order to add all their bloatware as soon as you install it ?

    2. What is the best way to make an exact copy of the ?4 partitions on the hard drive that exist allready. Ideally I would like to make an exact copy of the whole hard drive, and all the partitions etc so that I can put it back to factory setting easily . Any ideas on the best software that can back up to DVD's ?

    3. Are there any partitions that I should NOT delete ? Any that the BIOS uses etc etc. Or can I just delete all four, and make the hard drive one big 200gb partition, with just Vista on it ?


    Thanks

    mehul
     
    Mehul9216, Mar 3, 2008
    #1
  2. nobscot6

    nobscot6 Wise One

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    does it say "Dell Reinstallation Disk" ? Only for use with a new computer?

    It sounds like it's the Dell OEM disk and has been tampered with if thats the case.
     
    nobscot6, Mar 3, 2008
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  3. RossC

    RossC Notebook Enthusiast

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    i did a re-intall of my m1530 using the disk supplied by Dell and there is no junk on my system now (like BT and Tiscali internet, dell support centre etc)

    if you have Vista Ultimate there is a utility included which will allow to make a back up of your entire pc including the recovery partition. mine took 3 dvds for a full pc backup

    dont know about vista home but XP had a backup utility you could install from the xp installation cd. however it would not allow you to back up to dvd it had to be tape or another hdd, however you could backup to a file on your hard disk then copy it elsewhere. Otherwise you will need a 3rd party backup utility.

    hope this helps
     
    RossC, Mar 3, 2008
    #3
  4. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    Business edition has that backup utility also. But the dell disks are regular windows disks just with the serial key embedded into the disk so you don't have to type it in.
     
    nizzy1115, Mar 3, 2008
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  5. Mehul9216

    Mehul9216 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Any partitions that I shouldnt delete ?
     
    Mehul9216, Mar 3, 2008
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  6. nobscot6

    nobscot6 Wise One

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    nobscot6, Mar 3, 2008
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