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    Dell Image Restore

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by jujube, Jul 16, 2006.

  1. jujube

    jujube Notebook Deity

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    Where is it located? :confused: Couldn't find it anywhere on my E1705. I would like to create an image before installing some new programs. Thanks!

    Mods, please feel free to move this should you feel it belong in the software forum :eek:
     
    jujube, Jul 16, 2006
    #1
  2. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    The Dell image restore partition is designed to restore your computer to its original configuration. While booting, press CTRL+F11 to activate the restore process. If you want to create an image, you need to use a commercial or freeware partition utility.
     
    kegobeer, Jul 16, 2006
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  3. devilz05

    devilz05 Notebook Guru

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    What about System Restore? Doesnt that do the same thing...
     
    devilz05, Jul 16, 2006
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  4. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    System Restore (the Windows version) is a joke. It has never solved problems, and only created them, in my experiences with notebooks.
     
    Greg, Jul 16, 2006
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  5. the1

    the1 Notebook Consultant

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    its not clear to me what system restore actually does, i've only ever used it once. windows defines it as a way to undo harmful changes to your pc by reverting settings back to a certain date, its definately not a undo everything done since then because when i used it, my documents were all intact
     
    the1, Jul 16, 2006
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  6. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    There are 2 restores on Dell Inspirons - one is the XP system restore which restores your laptop back to a certain point in time. 3/4 of the time I never got it to work, so I have my system restore turned off.

    the other restore is the Dell Restore partition which restores your laptop back to factory condition (with junkware) and everything is erased. If you have reformatted or messed with the partitions, you probably no longer have this option since the Restore utility is picky about how the laptop is set up.

    jujube,
    I would just make an image of your current HDD and not the restore partition if you are wanting to create an image for back up purposes. You can use Acronis or some other software to do this.

    If you reformatted or are about to reformat, I would get the drivers installed + any software that you always use, and then make an image. This way you have a clean partition and later on, you can just use this image instead of having to reformat the whole thing.
     
    Amber, Jul 16, 2006
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  7. hydra

    hydra Breaks Laptops

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    I use system restore several times in the past with no problem. How it works and how to use it seems to be an issue. It is not a silver bullet.

    Let's say you want to try a new video driver. Make a restore point BEFORE installing and only with a healthy system. After you install the new driver and it ends up crap plus you can't get all the junk cleaned out, have no fear. Go to the restore point you made before installing and - poof! - your back at that point with old driver healthy.

    This also works great for trying out new programs as well, your registry is back as it was if things go bad.
     
    hydra, Jul 16, 2006
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