Can I make my own "System Recovery CD"?

[Phedis]

I build about 6 computer systems a month. I was wondering if anyone knew how to make their own "Recovery CD" or who to go to for that sort of thing. Are there any software programs out there that let you compile all the programs onto one CD. I was also hoping for everything to load itself with the least user intervention required. If you guys have any ideas let me know.

 

[Sid59]

prolly an bootable and autoplay ghost CDR or similar.

I remember years ago, my friend bought an E-Machine and we completely trashed it. We got the system disc and it was just a bootable and automated ghost disc. Brought back the PC and everything was fine.

 

[Jeff7]

Problem with a Ghost CD, or any restore CD I've had the misfortune of using, is that all new data, like e-mails, pictures, MP3's, etc, will be wiped out - the hard drive's data will be placed in the same state that it was back when the restore CD was created. Still, it is a lot better than formatting, and waiting for a reinstall of every single program on there, like maybe Adobe Acrobat, Spybot, Flash player, Quicktime....loads of junk to download and install. If the customer is on dialup, downloading all this stuff is NOT a simple thing to do. I prefer working on PC's at home, where I've got broadband. Downloading a 1MB file takes a few seconds, as opposed to being able to go get a snack, and still wait for it to finish downloading. And not much is 1MB or less these days.

 

[Mutilator]

I know it can be done with Windows 2000 by slipstreaming in the latest service pack to the OS and then adding any apps you want installed in to sub folders and using an unattended installation... but you'd most likely need a System Recovery DVD not a CD with all the space that would take up. 😉
Do some searches @ technet or google for cmdlines.txt, unattended installations, and slipstreaming. I think you'll find what you're looking for.

 

[Phedis]

Cool, thanx guys for all the help

 

[tcsenter]

Problem with a Ghost CD, or any restore CD I've had the misfortune of using, is that all new data, like e-mails, pictures, MP3's, etc, will be wiped out - the hard drive's data will be placed in the same state that it was back when the restore CD was created.

Well, yeah, I mean....that's kinda the point. lol!

This is why you create a restore point image then periodically back-up your data to CD-RW or something. Then in the event of disaster, restore the image, boot your computer, fire up your backup program and restore your latest CD-RW backup.

Just not many other ways to get it done.

 

[Auric]

Other than backup images as discussed, there is also the option to boot the Windows CD, choose setup, then repair -as a non-destructive alternative.

 

[aircooled]

Best thing you can do is create your own Ghost image (or equivalent) and keep your data backed up regularly.

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: aircooled
Best thing you can do is create your own Ghost image (or equivalent) and keep your data backed up regularly.

Also keep your OS and data on separate partitions.