Quote: Original post by ManaStone

Quote: Original post by HelplessFool

Quote: Original post by ManaStone
Ok, so on disk management I found a hidden partition called Recovery Partition. I am using Windows 7. Does anyone know how I can access it or make a back up disk of it?

What brand computer is it? That's what HP does with their laptops, and usually there is a program somewhere in the start menu to make actual disks of it or to run the recovery software.

There is also probably a way to run it from the BIOS startup options.

edit:
PS: RTFM

It is a Samsung Q430-11.


Is it possible Geek Squad did something so that I can't make a recovery disk myself when trying to optimize it?

Did you read the manual for your brand new computer or did you throw it out?

Check out the how-to section of their support site... the very first entry is on using their recovery software.

Quote: Original post by HelplessFool

Quote: Original post by ManaStone

Quote: Original post by HelplessFool

Quote: Original post by ManaStone
Ok, so on disk management I found a hidden partition called Recovery Partition. I am using Windows 7. Does anyone know how I can access it or make a back up disk of it?

What brand computer is it? That's what HP does with their laptops, and usually there is a program somewhere in the start menu to make actual disks of it or to run the recovery software.

There is also probably a way to run it from the BIOS startup options.

edit:
PS: RTFM

It is a Samsung Q430-11.


Is it possible Geek Squad did something so that I can't make a recovery disk myself when trying to optimize it?

Did you read the manual for your brand new computer or did you throw it out?

Check out the how-to section of their support site... the very first entry is on using their recovery software.

It didn't come with a manual- at least not a physical one. Anyway, I figured it out and I'm backing up my C drive now. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

I got a HP netbook bore - but it has a funny story. it came with a HP disc, but being netbook, it doesn't have a cd-rom drive. and when i want to do a back-up (using HP installed software), it look for a cd-r drive (as far as i can remember). Thank god I got it free with my broadband subscription.

I guess most people that have a netbook have a protable cdr drive / dvd-r drive I guess.

Quote: Original post by ManaStone
When I got home I looked it up in on google and it appears to be a scam and it may actually make it slower.

Read this article and This one and This one too.

Optimizing Windows:
- Have 64-bit version
- Get more than 4GB of RAM
- Turn off page file

- Get SSD

- Install Search&Destroy and run Immunize.

Probably #1 culprit of performance woes is RAM, especially for people who need to have 200 things in task bar and especially for laptops (slow disks and such). There should be little reason to have less than 4GB today, but laptops tend to be a bit problematic in this regard.

Quote: Original post by Antheus
Optimizing Windows:
- Have 64-bit version
- Get more than 4GB of RAM
- Turn off page file

- Get SSD

- Install Search&Destroy and run Immunize.

Probably #1 culprit of performance woes is RAM, especially for people who need to have 200 things in task bar and especially for laptops (slow disks and such). There should be little reason to have less than 4GB today, but laptops tend to be a bit problematic in this regard.

or just

get an ssd

don't do any of the other crap

turn of page file helped in xp days, it's bad in vista/win7 days.

64bit or 32bit doesn't matter, at least once you have an ssd.

search&destrory and immunize have no use. windows without any touching + microsoft security essentials = perfectly working operating system.

just in case, a clean install might fix any mess the oem's did to your os.


to the one suggesting linux. just no.. :)

Quote: Original post by davepermen

turn of page file helped in xp days, it's bad in vista/win7 days.

Do explain. Why is drastically reducing disk usage a bad thing? Page file gets used regardless of how much memory one has, so even if there's gigabytes free, kernel will be scratching on disk.

Quote: 64bit or 32bit doesn't matter, at least once you have an ssd.

Yes, it matters if you want more than 2GB of RAM.

Quote: search&destrory and immunize have no use. windows without any touching + microsoft security essentials = perfectly working operating system.

It blocks some 100k+ malware sources, effectively banning most vectors of attack on web.

Quote: Original post by davepermen
just in case, a clean install might fix any mess the oem's did to your os.

But only if you buy a new copy of the OS. Unfortunately most laptop vendors use the above mentioned system where you create a set of system restore disks when you first start the machine. Unfortunately these restore it to the condition it was when you first turned it on (IE full of the useless crap AOL/Norton/toolbar crap that the vendors put on PCs these days). You will then have to go through the process of uninstalling the crap.

Laptop OEM versions are BIOS-locked. So even if they come with installation disks, they are hard-coded to BIOS specifics.

The reasons for the OEM policy are varied. They are related to quality (driver and OEM software certifications), as well as various pricing benefits.

(Un)intended side-effects include difficulty of reselling the laptop. It also aims at consumer goods market, where entire machine is replaced once it breaks beyond repair, or keeps the OEM support afloat.

Based on my limited experience, OEM laptops these days are quite solid. The problems for professional use come from IT policies (mandatory software, group policies, etc.) - but larger companies will not be using corporate licenses anyway, and will probably manage them differently, so it's not a big deal.

Quote: Original post by Obscure

Quote: Original post by ManaStone
When I got home I looked it up in on google and it appears to be a scam and it may actually make it slower.

Read this article and This one and This one too.

Wow... I'll remember that next time I buy a laptop. I know the computer repair service industry largely capitalizes on user ignorance, but forcing you to buy in or shop elsewhere is pretty weak.