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I remember not so long ago when we purchase a computer, if we had unrepairable problems we could use a floppy boot that come with a computer & format c:\, there was also always a backup CD that also come with a computer so if needed a computer could be restored to its new condition state.I purchesed a new Dell with XP for xmas and i never got a floppy boot disk, or any Cds.
Im aware of the restore.But what if i wanted to do a complete format on my c: drive?
What if i wanted to format and change to Win ME, or some other Op system is that possible?
Thank you.
You realy should have recieved some disks with the new PC contact Dell and they are obliged to send you some.
Stress that you never recived them and not that you have lost them for example as they may try to charge you
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One of the many reasons why all the Big Systembuilders (Dell, Sony, HP, etc) omitted the floppy drive is because no floppy disc can fix NTFS-based Windows. Accordingly they reckoned there is no longer any need for it.
i_XpUser
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I have no floppy disk with my XP machine for over eighteen months now and I have not missed it.
With CD burners now being as cheap as floppy drives where a few years ago and CD-R disk just as cheap, its no great hassle to make a bootable CD that will do everything a floppy can do - and more.
Stuart
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Your choosing the title How things have changed gave me a reason to reflect upon a few things...
I believe the floppy disc system have worn out its usefulness as Windows got bigger and more sophisticated.
More often than not, the floppy diskettes fails for one reason or another. I have had enough bad experience with media years particularly when users use it to carry files around in their shirt pocket.
I'm so glad someone invented USB technology because the flash drives proven itself to be very much more reliable than the diskettes.
i_XpUser
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If you accept a PC with no disks, that's self-inflicted.
Sure, you can't fix NTFS with a DOS boot floppy. But you can sure get rid of it.
And OBW, you don't format a directory; you format a DRIVE.
Like:
format c:
If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.M2
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If every single consumer who waltzed into the local "Computer Depot" or "Office Obnoxia" would looke the salesman right in the eye, and say,
"YA, I really really would like to have this Comcrap/Violi/Thunkpad/etc BUT THERE's DO DISKS!!!!!"
Then don't say another word, simply turn on your heel and waltz right back out of the joint.IF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU you now own this junk WOULD HAVE DONE THAT
then THE REST OF US who may or may not be future customers could have our CDs with our machines.
To Stuart: You must not work on much older machines, because there are several times a month that I have to go to IBM/Lenevo to download drivers and files for Thinkpad laptops and MANY MANY of those are self extracting floppy images.
I use a floppy often enough that I can't imagine haveing most computers in the house without them. Even my laptops all have either a swappable or an external floppy.
(Last time I checked, I could still run Norton Ghost from a floppy. So much for fixing problems without one)
Actually, so far as "formatting C" you would not do that with a floppy for NT/XP, but you CAN install ME or 98 if you have the proper CD--some ME/98 cd's have all you need right on a bootable CD.
The lesson here is that the consumers have control if "they" will simply BE in control. Don't EVER buy a computer that doesn't at least have a floppy for an option---and a place to put one in the desktop.
DEMAND that you get things like instruction MANUALS--not "online user guides"
(One of my all time favorites----how in **** are you supposed to read the "online user manual" when you are trying to LEARN HOW TO USE IT?????)
Aw ta heck witit, pretty soon we'll be back to dumb terminals, anyhow.
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I don't think you did your research, GSL. Since July 15th, 2004, Dell has installed a "Dell PC Restore" on the computers. During the bootup process, you press F(?) (not sure at this typing) and you will go through a couple steps and prompts to restore your pc to its' "as new" condition. Of course, you'll loose all your important data and files, so you must backup first.
Also..... If you call Dell customer support and ask, they will send you not only the Windows XP reinstall disk but also the drivers and utilities disk too. In fact when I requested them, Dell next-day aired them to me. All I had to do was call and ask for them; not a big deal.
So perhaps you should read and research first... Yes, things have changed..not only with Dell but all computer manufacturers.
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"Since July 15th, 2004, Dell has installed a "Dell PC Restore" on the computers. During the bootup process, you press F(?) (not sure at this typing) and you will go through a couple steps and prompts to restore your pc to its' "as new" condition."
And if the HD is trashed?
Hi name,
Like you, I wouldn't be without floppies.
As for most folks being smart enough or assertive enough to get what they pay for, don't hold your breath.
If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.M2
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I've run into this situation specifically with both IBM's and Compaq. Since all big brands started using the "recovery partition" on the hard drive, they no longer ship CD's.....period.
On several occasions I've had PC's like that come in with the HDD crashed and no good. You would think they would create a recovery partition with the correct files on it before shipping you the replacement drive but in my experience, that's not how it happens. They just send you a blank drive.
It's not the end of the world certainly. You can get on the phone and order the disks. This isn't too painful if it's IBM.....it's extremely painful if it's HP/Compaq. Where HP/Compaq is concerned, "technical support" is an oxymoron......and I'm talking about once you actually get through their menuing system and get ahold of the correct person. If it's an IBM, you'll have them in 5-7 business days.....usually 2 or 3. If it's a Compaq/HP, well, the longest I waited was 7 weeks. The shortest wait I had for recovery CD's was about 3 weeks.
In the end, this way of doing it leads to extra downtime for the end customer which in my eye's is very bad form.
It also shows you just how much they (the big businesses) care about the little guy. Which is to say, not in the least. If you're a big company buying 1000's of units per year, they'll kiss your feet (and other body parts). If you're a home user, the rule of thumb seems to be "screw em, let em wait".
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You are correct, Mechanix.... In that case, you would need the XP reinstall disk. To be safe, just get on the phone before any problems crop up and simply request the disks....no big deal. I haven't needed them yet but I have them on hand should I need them somewhere down the road. Not the end of the world here; just request the reinstall disks from dell customer support and they'll probably next-day air them as they did for me.
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All the latest hp's that I’ve worked on do indeed have the recovery partition but in the USER manual (which nobody really reads) it clearly says that if you want recovery disk you need to make them yourself in case the hard drive crashes. There is a utility in program files somewhere (I can't remember exactly) that will walk you through the steps. No calling....no waiting....all you need is some time and some blank cds.
This message posted using 100% recycled electrons.
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Further to Stryker's post above
On all new HPs there is a shortcut in the Start menu to the Recovery CD Wizard. . You will be given three choices on which to make your Recovery CDs: 13 plain CD-R, 3 plain DVD-R or 1 DVD double layer.
i_XpUser
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I'm dead serious. I was with my friend who just bought a HP desktop. I was helping him out and I had a good laugh when I saw that screen. Fortunately his HP came with DL DVD.
i_XpUser
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As an afterthought - if I recall it correctly, those 13 CDs are designed to rebuild the OS in the event you smashed the HD or if for some unknown reason the hidden partition gets corrupted. One thing I noticed was that by default Windows XP System restore is set to monitor this partition that shouldn't be. I later discussed this with HP and they concurred with my opinion.
i_XpUser
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"""No calling....no waiting....all you need is some time and some blank cds."""
Well, now, see, that's where I have a huge big problem.The statistical chance of a burned CD being unreliable, unreadable, or corrupted with some virus is actually pretty good.
The chance of a factory made CD being corrupted and unreliable is pretty small.
To say that a customer can "make their own" and then depend on the fact that the hard drive actually works is a copout.
As a person who in a former life, installed some fairly sophistocated emergency services equipment, stuff that actually HAD to work, no matter what, I find this kind of attitude towards customers quite infuriating.
As a person who has done battle with the sometimes support, but always expensive, from Motorola, it's time for customer service to go UP, not down.
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<<To say that a customer can "make their own" and then depend on the fact that the hard drive actually works is a copout. >>
Yes I agree with you, most customers don’t even know what a cd burner is much less being able to make their own recovery cds. I think the companies should ship the cd with the computer, but I guess they just don’t want to anymore. (for cost or whatever reason)
Also having a CD-R backup of your OS as a last resort is better then not having it at all.
This message posted using 100% recycled electrons.
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I guess you don't remember using a teletype to punch a tape and dial up the local university that had a computer. I had to reprogram a Sperry that used 32 bit words. I had to select each bit of an opcode on the inside of the door and step it in to memory.
We finally saw a PC that actually had a hard drive. The 1M memory only cost $6000. My first portable cost $5000. Are you sure you want to go back to those days?
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jefro,
I remember perf/reperf but I'm trying to forget.
;)
If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.M2
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The chance of a factory made CD being corrupted and unreliable is pretty small.
That's for sure. The factory-made CD are machine-pressed which by the way helps made it last way longer longer than burned CDs. We're suckered with all our burned CDs whose lifespan is very short..2 to 5 years.
i_XpUser
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My Dell, built Feb05 came with a Dell XP install CD and System restore (Alt+F11).
I did have to call them to get the Drivers CD. It came a couple of days later.
I added a floppy drive after the purchase. I use it with Norton's Ghost. I have used it to make a floppy with DelPart for use on an older PC with a broken CD ROM. The floppy drive comes in handy and was only $18 ($25 if with original purchase)including the Dell face plate. My work machine does not have a CD Burner although it does have USB. I have yet to buy into the flash drives.
Bryan
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 problems with XP boot up
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Dual boot
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