How can you create your own hdd recovery partition?
The question says it all. For example, when you buy a laptop, if it stuffs up you can format the whole thing putting it back to new by opening that partition. Some people have told me to use Norton Ghost but i’m pretty sure that just makes a huge backup file where you need to have an OS installed to recover it. I want to be able to run the recovery wizard using the BIOS post screen or an equivalent method.
Using acronis true image, and installing acronis boot manager can do the requirement for you. Note that acronis is not a freeware, and hence you may need to purchase it (If piracy is not an option). The software is easy to use and is self explanatory. The special are created on your HDD called acronis secure zone can store your critical system files.
A hard disk can fail any time, taking the recovery partition with it. However, you could use Acronis True Image 2010 to create a new partition on either an internal or external drive and then make it a recovery partition. It provides you many more options, to backup your recovery partition to DVDs or USB sticks.
Using Ghost is easy, but it may not serve your specific need to run the recovery wizard using the BIOS post screen. Anyway, here is the details to do it, if you get interested
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2014353,00.asp
Just in case, if you have windows 7, you have got one more option. Windows 7 when installed as the only operating system to it’s own hard drive creates a small separate System partition. On this partition it places the boot system files and access to a complete set of recovery tools, including Startup Repair, System Restore, Complete PC Restore and the Command Prompt. These and more recovery options are available WITHOUT having to insert and boot to a Windows 7 installation DVD. (Note: If one pre-creates and pre-formats the Windows 7 installation drive/partition and then on running Windows 7 setup, select the partition and press Next, this small separate System partition is NOT created.)
Or with windows 7 DVD, you can create your own recovery partition, but you may need a separate HDD!
Check this link for details:
http://en.kioskea.net/faq/4093-windows-7-create-a-recovery-partition
Using acronis true image, and installing acronis boot manager can do the requirement for you. Note that acronis is not a freeware, and hence you may need to purchase it (If piracy is not an option). The software is easy to use and is self explanatory. The special are created on your HDD called acronis secure zone can store your critical system files.
A hard disk can fail any time, taking the recovery partition with it. However, you could use Acronis True Image 2010 to create a new partition on either an internal or external drive and then make it a recovery partition. It provides you many more options, to backup your recovery partition to DVDs or USB sticks.
Using Ghost is easy, but it may not serve your specific need to run the recovery wizard using the BIOS post screen. Anyway, here is the details to do it, if you get interested
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2014353,00.asp
Just in case, if you have windows 7, you have got one more option. Windows 7 when installed as the only operating system to it’s own hard drive creates a small separate System partition. On this partition it places the boot system files and access to a complete set of recovery tools, including Startup Repair, System Restore, Complete PC Restore and the Command Prompt. These and more recovery options are available WITHOUT having to insert and boot to a Windows 7 installation DVD. (Note: If one pre-creates and pre-formats the Windows 7 installation drive/partition and then on running Windows 7 setup, select the partition and press Next, this small separate System partition is NOT created.)
Or with windows 7 DVD, you can create your own recovery partition, but you may need a separate HDD!
Check this link for details:
http://en.kioskea.net/faq/4093-windows-7-create-a-recovery-partition
References :
http://www.pronetworks.org/forums/prevent-windows-7-creating-a-small-separate-system-partition-t104971.html
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2014353,00.asp
http://en.kioskea.net/faq/4093-windows-7-create-a-recovery-partition