New pc came with vista but no disk...

[bbc1]

Im not the best with computers and wanna know what happens if I have to reformat? Is there a way to copy vista on to a cd/dvd? I see where it says "backup your computer" under system and maintenance. Is that all I have to do? It's vista 64 if that matters. thanks

[glc]

Brand and model of the computer, please.

[bbc1]

Gateway FX6710-01

[not important]

Instructions for making Restore disc (s):
To create discs, click (Start), All Programs, Gateway, then click Gateway Recovery
Management. To create recovery discs for your factory-loaded hard drive contents (Windows
Vista, pre-installed software and drivers), click Create factory default disc or, to create recovery
discs for only the factory-loaded drivers and software, click Create driver and application
backup disc. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish.

Restoring to factory condition: If you can run Windows...
1 Click (Start), All Programs, Gateway, then click Gateway Recovery Management.
Gateway Recovery Management opens.
2 Click the Restore tab, then click Restore system to factory default. The Confi rm
Restoration dialog box opens.
3 Follow the on-screen instructions to finish.

If you cannot run Windows...
1 Restart your computer, then press the ALT+F10 keys during startup.
2 Follow the on-screen instructions to finish

If you need more help with a couple of diagrams: Go to this link and clik on
"8513015 - Gateway Starter Guide (with eRecovery)". That will download a Users manual in PDF.

[bbc1]

Originally Posted by not important Instructions for making Restore disc (s): To create discs, click (Start), All Programs, Gateway, then click Gateway Recovery Management. To create recovery discs for your factory-loaded hard drive contents (Windows Vista, pre-installed software and drivers), click Create factory default disc or, to create recovery discs for only the factory-loaded drivers and software, click Create driver and application backup disc. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish. Restoring to factory condition: If you can run Windows... 1 Click (Start), All Programs, Gateway, then click Gateway Recovery Management. Gateway Recovery Management opens. 2 Click the Restore tab, then click Restore system to factory default. The Confi rm Restoration dialog box opens. 3 Follow the on-screen instructions to finish. If you cannot run Windows... 1 Restart your computer, then press the ALT+F10 keys during startup. 2 Follow the on-screen instructions to finish If you need more help with a couple of diagrams: Go to this link and clik on "8513015 - Gateway Starter Guide (with eRecovery)". That will download a Users manual in PDF.

Thanks alot.

[not important]

You're Welcome.

[latamesh]

Maybe just a teeny suggestion (borne from experience): You may want to test to see if the CD you burn would actually work while the PC is functioning fine. YOu don't want to wait until a real emergency arises only to find out the CD you burned was defective.

I, as my own personal rule, always avoid buying PC that doesn't come with the CD.

Guys, correct me if I'm right or wrong

[bucksfanjimj1]

A lot of store bought PCs don't come with discs anymore. Everything is stored on a Recovery partition. They do give you tools to make a copy though. My new Dell laptop did come with discs btw. Don't know about the desktops.

[latamesh]

I bought 3 Medion laptops and all came with original WinXP plus Recovery Disks. And funny thing they were priced lower than Dell.

[NickyBlade]

Our Sony and HP laptops did NOT come with disks, but I knew to burn them right away. Our older desktops (Dell and Gateway) both came with disks.

I think this is a gimmick to get more money out of the public. When my friend's PC crashed, the company (don't remember who) charged her $30 for the disks and mailed them to her. She really did not know that those disks weren't included with her PC because she had a stack of disks for all kinds of games and software and junk. She just figured that the restore disks were in the pile too...

[bucksfanjimj1]

Originally Posted by latamesh I bought 3 Medion laptops and all came with original WinXP plus Recovery Disks. And funny thing they were priced lower than Dell.

I've never heard of Medion. Where did you find them?

[glc]

Medion is owned by the Aldi grocery chain. Quality is very iffy.

The lack of disks is not a gimmick. If they provided them, they would have to raise the prices considerably due to Microsoft's licensing and pricing structure.

[bucksfanjimj1]

Originally Posted by glc Medion is owned by the Aldi grocery chain. Quality is very iffy.

Just like everything else in an Aldi store.

[NickyBlade]

Originally Posted by glc The lack of disks is not a gimmick. If they provided them, they would have to raise the prices considerably due to Microsoft's licensing and pricing structure.

I guess I don't understand why they can't include a $1 back up disk without it costing more for licensing when you can burn your own. I'm sure you're right, don't get me wrong. I'm definitely not arguing the point. It's the laws and licensing rules that make little sense to me.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by glc Medion is owned by the Aldi grocery chain. Quality is very iffy. The lack of disks is not a gimmick. If they provided them, they would have to raise the prices considerably due to Microsoft's licensing and pricing structure.

glc hit the nail on the head... another thing that bothers me about windows is all the different versions. oh well, a different thread I suppose. we should start a ranting thread