[Dark Hunter]

I don't know how. 

I recently got a new computer, which (obviously) has Vista on it. Now, this is a bit of a problem, because a number of my programs don't work on it. So, I was going to partition the HD and put XP on the other partition... at least until the Service Pack comes out and Vista becomes more useable. However, I believe I need to set up recovery discs for Vista in case I mess up (quite possible, considering I've never partitioned before, either...), and I'm not entirely sure how to do that. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

[diceman111]

Ok well depending on where you got your computer from you should have either Windows Vista discs or some form of discs it says recovery disc on or similar.
it is also possible there is a partition that dosent show up in windows where an instalation for Vista is located(you would access this via startup) asfor partioning i really dont know how to do that without formatting the drive(erasing it) and then partioning it during the vista setup, maybe you could use a program similar to Partion Magic I know it worked for XP where you could partion the drives in XP so to speak (note sometimes it caused a failure so you had to format it anyway), But the easiest way would be to install windows Xp on a second hard drive if you have one in your computer.

EDIT: with system recovery discs did you mean like backud up files (word dockuments etc..) in that case i think if you have Windows Vista Premium you can use windows to make them or simply compy all files you want to save to a DVD or external HDD

/Dice

[Prophet]

Or simply do a format and install XP. **** Vista. Buy it in 2-4 years when it starts showing signs of compatibility and stability.

[jr2]

Try hitting F8 as you boot, see if you can access the hidden partition.  From there, I think there is an option to burn the discs.

[diceman111]

Try hitting F8 as you boot, see if you can access the hidden partition.

Depends on what computer it is (Could be some other key), think its differend for say HP and DELL (I have neither so I wouldent know), if nothing else read the instructions you got with your computer.

[Dark Hunter]

Ok well depending on where you got your computer from you should have either Windows Vista discs or some form of discs it says recovery disc on or similar.

Don't I wish... I asked them about it at the store and they replied that no such discs exist and that it would prompt me to create them upon start-up. Start-up did not prompt any such thing... hence my asking this question.

And no, I don't mean back-up files. I mean discs that would restore the OS should anything go wrong.

Or simply do a format and install XP. **** Vista. Buy it in 2-4 years when it starts showing signs of compatibility and stability.

Well, it seems to me to be cheaper to keep Vista until such time as it becomes useable. If I took your suggestion, I'd just have to buy it again later... which costs money.

I'll try looking for a hidden partition. Maybe that will work.

[diceman111]

Ok well depending on where you got your computer from you should have either Windows Vista discs or some form of discs it says recovery disc on or similar.

Don't I wish... I asked them about it at the store and they replied that no such discs exist and that it would prompt me to create them upon start-up. Start-up did not prompt any such thing... hence my asking this question.

And no, I don't mean back-up files. I mean discs that would restore the OS should anything go wrong.

Strange to say the least, ok but when you start your cimouter during the initial startup (where it says press this key to enter BIOS etc.) are there any options that say anything other then "change Boot order" "enter setup" like say "Press F(something) to (Anything like installtion or windows)".

otherwise if you have your CD-Key on your computer case you can prob use a friends copy of Vista (Just make sure its the right version).

Also what brand of computer do you have (Dell, HP or have you bought it at a local computer seller) and what version of windows

EDIT: Ok did a little googling and it turns out that if you have a HP or Compaq Desktop PC you can create them yourself http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00882383&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=&product=3351220


/Dice

[Prophet]

As a general rule, one should never buy a rig with OS pre-installed or installed on the HD. It's nothing but grief, I know. If one however does purchase such a setup, one should do a format and clean install anyway. If one wishes to pay for the OS, then make sure it's on disks.

It's just another money making scheme for the corporations. No need to supply install disks or print manuals when they can decide what kind of setup their customer has.

[S-99]

I hate that(not providing the OS install discs, it makes things harder in unique cases because i may not always have a copy of xp, and i don't even have disc of vista to fill in what a customer doesn't have for their computer because of the manufacturer of the computer wanted to do things different), that's something i've seen on a couple of the new computers my customers have when i fix it. Although the recovery partitions they come with are useful in quick and major fixes pretty much pulling a fresh install while leaving your **** and your programs and your settings in tact. Sort of like how reinstalling win98 on a partition that already has win98 installed on it will "refresh" your current installation with new fresh OS files from the cd without having to back anything up. Anyway, the easiest way to partition is getting a hold of a linux livecd of your choice. There's knoppix as a livecd, but i believe you'd find that a little to confusing as knoppix is a little cluttered in my opinion and what people use it for boggles the mind. On the other hand for an easier linux livecd called Mepis is a lot less confusing, organized, and a lot more user friendly.

What a livecd is pretty much a linux os that boots soley off a cd not requiring installation to a hard drive. What this brings in mind "hey this sounds right up my alley" and it is. You can access your hard drives, rescue stuff, modify data, backup ****, format, repartition, anything with a linux livecd. A linux livecd is quite the ultimate pinnacle in the ultimate of recovery cd's you can get(and it's free). I suggest mepis, it's the easiest to figure out for those who are use to and are windows inclined. I'm not saying get mepis to install and replace vista or dual boot with mepis on the hard drive (mepis is installable as a natural OS as well). No,  i'm just saying it's a damn handy livecd that you could ever make use of in times of system crisis as it makes things so much easier as you'll get one of the benefits of linux without really having to dive in too deep or dive into linux at all.

Along the lines of formatting and repartitioning, that is one of the things windows makes very hard to do. The only formatting and repartitioning i have ever seen in windows to date as a dedicated formatter and repartitioning program was only in the beginning of any windows setup. With linux, every distribution always include either gpart, qtparted, or parted, which are the easiest to use programs for redoing a hard drive in any format you desire.

This link here will give you a basic run through on how to partition and what partitioning is. Of course this is also a demonstration of gparted, but with all partioning programs out there, they all do the same thing in pretty much the same manner as you see with the gparted software. Gparted is a good program, it lets you resize partitions without losing data on them, it lets you add as many partitions as you want, in any format you want. Very useful program. Anyway, to get a hold of doing gparted or qtparted i recommend mepis as it includes both of these great programs. Also with partitioning from a livecd you wont have to worry about redoing your hard drive while being in an OS on your hard drive

As far as system recovery goes, i'd just setup an extra partition with sufficient space to backup the data you want. Then when something ****s up,  you have all of your drivers, software, personal files, etc. all on that backup partition so you can just pull a re-installation of vista, and then go ahead with putting your system back the way it was. Reinstallation is not always necessary if you need to fix small problems, but ifyou have big problems and no knowledge of how to fix, or time to fix, then your data is already backed up by you, and you can just pull a reinstall. OS installation these days usually takes under half an hour, most of the time 20 mins or less sometimes even...OS installation is quick is what i mean to say, and also easy.

[jr2]

For a live cd, how about GNU Parted?  I've used it, and it appears quite easy to use & simple.

[S-99]

Sorry, i missed one on my list, but thanks for the reminder. GNU parted is here.
Gparted is here.
Qtparted is here.

But, you know when it really comes to down to only needing to partition and reformat and restructure your drive and you want to keep it that simple. Then you should get the Gparted livecd. That's right, it's a livecd you pop into your cd drive and startup with it on your computer and it's nothing but the gparted program in a basic desktop environment. This might even better for those who don't wish to be marred or scared by an actual OS livecd. The gparted livecd, you just pop in the drive, and do what you want to the hard drive. And of course yet again this tutorial teaches you how to use the gparted livecd and how to use gparted itself.

Anyway it doesn't seem to matter which parted program you use, they all do the same ****, but my favorite has gone over to gparted

[jr2]

Oops..  That's the one I meant to refer to.    I get G(NOME)parted & GNU Parted confused.

[Dark Hunter]

It is an HP. I clicked the link you provided, Dice, and it looks like that will work. I'll get some DVD+R's (we only have RW's, and the link says those won't work), and try it out.


EDIT: Well, surprise, surprise it is making errors whenever it tries to make the Recovery Discs. Maybe I'll attempt to get some actual discs from CompUSA (the store I bought this from in the first place)...

[diceman111]

It is an HP. I clicked the link you provided, Dice, and it looks like that will work. I'll get some DVD+R's (we only have RW's, and the link says those won't work), and try it out.

Ok Glad to help, never really understood why they dont send discs with the computer when you buy it but maybe it saves them a dollar or two (and then again multiply that by a million....)

/Dice

[S-99]

Umm depending on the size of the iso. Such as if it's sub 700mb or pretty 700mb, you have to burn to a cd. If an iso is greater than 700mb, then you have to burn to a dvd. That's the basic rules of iso's, as there is a difference between cd and dvd iso's.

Small exception to the rule of iso's though, is if someone is dumb enough and burns less than 700mb to a dvd-r, and turns it into an iso after that. Well that would really confuse people on the basic rules of iso's that i just provided

Ok Glad to help, never really understood why they dont send discs with the computer when you buy it but maybe it saves them a dollar or two (and then again multiply that by a million....)

/Dice

I have no idea why they don't send the discs along with your computer because when you buy the computer you also buy a copy of windows that is your own that goes along with your own computer. Maybe it does save them money, in the end it really cheapskates the consumer