Not sure how to do this....

Im going to build my first computer and i was thinking about how on my alienware desktop right now it has this recovery software that allows me to restart my comp to original settings like how it left the factory..that program has saved my comp so many times and its the only reason its lasted so long..so i was wondering if im building it myself how can i do that? im sure there has to be a way.

ps sorry this isnt on the cnet software discussion..those forums looked more confusing to use i figured i could just ask on here

You can just reformat the drive, the recovary software just reformats the system partition and replaces it with the data from a backup partitionmarkop2003

If you are going to build your own computer, you may as well learn this: http://www.vista4beginners.com/How-to-backup-your-data

Cheers

[QUOTE="markop2003"]You can just reformat the drive, the recovary software just reformats the system partition and replaces it with the data from a backup partitionbasketcase14240

If you are going to build your own computer, you may as well learn this: http://www.vista4beginners.com/How-to-backup-your-data

Cheers

--Anna--

You need a disk image software like Acronis TrueImage or Norton Ghost. Thsi will create an exact copy of your curent installation and recover that image when you need it.

hmm okay now i have 3 methods...do it manually..create a back up..or download that software...alrightt thanks guys now i feel more confident in building a comp incase it gets messed up with viruses. and thats pretty interesting stuff about reformating the hard drive..it seems simple enough

soo you reccomend backing up my files then? also if i want to restore those files and drivers can i make it delete everything else on my comp except the backup files..?

[QUOTE="basketcase14240"][QUOTE="markop2003"] Reformatting wipes the MFT ((main file table) this is the data base that says where files physically are on you hard drive, with out that your drive as far as your PC is concerned is empty. markop2003

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but does that mean that if a HDD is reformated the files are not deleted, just not visible? But I guess over time the files would be overwritten?

[QUOTE="markop2003"][QUOTE="basketcase14240"][QUOTE="markop2003"] Reformatting wipes the MFT ((main file table) this is the data base that says where files physically are on you hard drive, with out that your drive as far as your PC is concerned is empty. joshuahaveron

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but does that mean that if a HDD is reformated the files are not deleted, just not visible? But I guess over time the files would be overwritten?

lol wow you really do know alot about computers..so your a computer science major then?

oh and if i restore the files on my back up can i make it delete everything else on my comp except the backup files

[QUOTE="joshuahaveron"]

[QUOTE="markop2003"][QUOTE="basketcase14240"][QUOTE="markop2003"] Reformatting wipes the MFT ((main file table) this is the data base that says where files physically are on you hard drive, with out that your drive as far as your PC is concerned is empty. markop2003

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but does that mean that if a HDD is reformated the files are not deleted, just not visible? But I guess over time the files would be overwritten?

That's interesting :D. Also quite worrying, seen as though many people sell their old computers and if someone with the right skills and knowledge could find out a lot of personal information.

I saw an episode of malcolm in the middle like that :D

yeahh thats why im majoring in comp engineer so i can learn to avoid that problem wooo

[QUOTE="basketcase14240"][QUOTE="markop2003"]You can just reformat the drive, the recovary software just reformats the system partition and replaces it with the data from a backup partitionmarkop2003