Are netbooks capable of restoring HDD to Windows after switching to Linux?

[mfeller2]

I am planning on getting a netbook in the next couple of months. I am thinking about immediately scrapping Windows and putting on Linux. If that fails though, or I just don't like it, do most netbooks come with whatever I would need (CD-ROM) to restore the Windows installation?

 

[onza]

netbooks =! cdroms typically... At least form the two i've purchased so far.

 

[RyanGreener]

Netbooks normally do not come with CD Drives. You'll need an external CD Drive to restore it. On the other hand, if you have a copy of Windows 7, you can install it onto your netbook via USB stick.

 

[wiretap]

Yup.. just get a 4GB USB Flash Drive and you'll be all set. There are tutorials on the web showing how to load the files onto the flash drive, then booting from it to install whatever OS you want.

Windows 7 from USB:
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_to_install_windows_7_beta_a_usb_key

Linux from USB:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/FromUSBStick

OSX from USB:
http://gizmodo.com/5156903/how-to-hackintosh-a-dell-mini-9-into-the-ultimate-os-x-netbook

 

[CurseTheSky]

I'll second the USB flash drive idea. I just recently reinstalled Windows 7 on my UL30A (no DVD drive) using this method.

A few things to note:
- You'll need an existing computer with a DVD drive that can read the Windows disk
- You'll need to use a specific program on the Windows disk to make the drive bootable (see the guides wiretap posted)
- You'll need to copy the entire contents of the Windows disk over to the flash drive, so make sure yours is big enough
- Make sure the target computer supports booting from USB (removable device); most do these days, but you might want to Google it quickly first
- Installing from USB is generally a bit faster than installing from the DVD itself

 

[mfeller2]

I'll second the USB flash drive idea. I just recently reinstalled Windows 7 on my UL30A (no DVD drive) using this method.

A few things to note:
- You'll need an existing computer with a DVD drive that can read the Windows disk
- You'll need to use a specific program on the Windows disk to make the drive bootable (see the guides wiretap posted)
- You'll need to copy the entire contents of the Windows disk over to the flash drive, so make sure yours is big enough
- Make sure the target computer supports booting from USB (removable device); most do these days, but you might want to Google it quickly first
- Installing from USB is generally a bit faster than installing from the DVD itself

So netbooks at least come with a Windows/Restore CD/DVD? Some PCs I've encounter have all of the restore stuff on a hidden hard drive partition...so that if you wipe this out, you're out of luck on a restore (or have to pay extra to get installation media).

 

[CurseTheSky]

So netbooks at least come with a Windows/Restore CD/DVD? Some PCs I've encounter have all of the restore stuff on a hidden hard drive partition...so that if you wipe this out, you're out of luck on a restore (or have to pay extra to get installation media).

Sorry, I didn't take that into account. My post assumes that it comes with a recovery (or OEM Windows) DVD.

I've seen several computers that come with a hidden partition give the ability to burn a recovery disk off of that partition. Researching each model would be your best bet.