Advice Needed About Recovery Disk

I recently purchased a customized computer from a company I've purchased from several times before. I was highly disappointed to receive a recovery disk, such as those usually given by Dell, etc., instead of a real Windows disk. Every other computer I've ever purchased from this company came with an original Windows disk and is one of the reasons I buy from this company.

After contacting tech support, because it's virtually impossible to get through to customer service (constantly busy), the tech tried to tell me that the recovery disk IS a Windows disk, just an OEM version. I explained to him that I know the difference between an OEM disk and a recovery disk, but got nowhere.

I vaguely remember hearing about a way to create a Windows install disk from files on the hard drive, but can't find information to help me.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. BTW, the OS is Windows Vista.

 

Basically it IS proper windows no fault to that.

But the reason they have gave you a OEM and not retail vista is so that you don't go around installing it onto other computers not made my the company you have bought off.

Also this copy of windows has all of your drivers dedicated to your computer and basic reformat settings already on the disk. This is so you don't have to go and hunt around on the internet to get your drivers back after a wipe.

There are ways of isolating the core windows files and than making a disk image of your own.

But on majorgeeks i don't think i am allowed to tell you for legal reasons ( and i ain't so sure how to my self yet )

If you look around on Google and type in some key words there will be a less honest website that will be happy to help you out, honestly .

I hope this helps
UKARMYCADET

 

I thought the recovery disk was just a hard drive image.

I think it's difficult, if not impossible, to use a recovery disk to reinstall Windows if the pc specs change. For example, you might need to replace your hard drive or cpu, because it dies. I have had little trouble reinstalling Windows from an original disk (OEM) in such cases, and at most, made a 5 minute call to Microsoft to authenticate. The one time I tried this with a recovery disk (on my sister's computer after the cpu failed and was replaced) there was absolutely no way to do it.

Drivers become outdated and I'd end up downloading the newest ones, anyway, if I reinstalled. I certainly don't want someone forcing optional software on me. I'll decide what goes on my hard drive. After the initial installation of the OS and the drivers (NOT optional software), the manufacturer should have no say in what goes on my computer. If I need to reinstall, I just want a clean copy of Windows and I'll decide what else I need.

The bottom line is that, because I received original Windows disks from this company in the past, that's what I expected to receive this time. Otherwise, I would have opted for a blank formatted hard drive and would have purchased Windows myself.

 

Try this: http://www.majorgeeks.com/vLite_d5387.html

 

Thank you.

 

The only problem with this is that because you are building an install disk from an OEM copy of windows (the version installed on your computer) you will only be able to create another OEM version.

I would demand a retail copy of Vista from this company if that is what you have gotten in the past. Dell and the like make specific builds of their computers, I see no reason why this company should not offer a retail version.

 

Oh, believe me, I'm trying. It's like hitting your head against a brick wall. :boxing

 

One cannot use a retail XP disc with an OEM license w/product key to activate XP. I doubt it is any different for Vista. They certainly will not give him a retail license to go with a retail disc.

 

if you change your cpu its fine

its reads the bios on your motherboard from what i know.

 

My question would be why am I getting an OEM disk and license when buying a computer from a local dealer. If you are buying the computer with a blank unformatted drive there is no reason for them not to offer a retail version of Vista as an option. If you dont want it from them you take the blank drive and buy a copy of Vista somewhere else. There is no reason for a pre-installed OEM version of any OS unless you specificly ask for it, or its a Dell or the like.

 

Since the deployment of win xp designed with a back up program installed there is no reason one would need the actual office package disks. However if you were aware of this and (you do have to insist at the time you order) they cost extra and come uninstalled.

Go to help and support and search for back up its your only resolve

Microsoft does not provide support for computers that have been installed by duplicating fully installed copies of Windows. Microsoft supports computers that were installed by using disk-duplicating software and the System Preparation Tool (Sysprep.exe). Microsoft supports the following operating systems that have been imaged by using the Sysprep utility:
Windows 2000 Professional
Windows 2000 Server (can only be imaged before you run DCPROMO)
Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Windows XP Professional
Windows XP Home Edition
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition