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Thread ID: 136229	2014-02-06 07:47:00	Operating System files	jayal (1291)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1366969	2014-02-06 07:47:00	I've had this computer for a few months now and was under the impression it had two separate disks - C: & D: - not so. Also with no OS disk for emergencies I got an USB drive with supposedly the O S files - I've captured two screen shots for some expert advice on whether these files exist and will I be able to Repair or Reinstall the OS from the USB drive I can open the details and copy them too if required Can anyone throw some light on this please?	jayal (1291)
1366970	2014-02-06 09:31:00	Looking at the drive partition sizes, you will have a possible 500 or 640 GB HDD, there are two partitions on the drive you can see, C & D. Assuming this is a name brand Computer there will be at least 1 possible more hidden partitions one of which will be a recovery partition, boot partitions etc. If its a HP expect there can be 4 or more hidden. The USB drive you mentioned may or may not be a recovery USB, this would only be used to boot into the recovery partition. The USB drive pictured doesn't look like a standard recovery USB drive. Look through the menu, somewhere there if its a name brand PC there will be a maintenance, recovery folder or something similar that will allow you to make a recovery CD /USB that boots into the recovery partition. Acers do allow you to create a full recovery USB drive which contains the full OS, programs as per original. What brand of PC is it ?	wainuitech (129)
1366971	2014-02-06 19:24:00	thanks for replying "Wainui" - I think it was just built up, if that's a suitable term, there's no brand so here's a copy of Belarc's - oops attachment wont upload "Belarc Copy doc invalid file" - x in a square and ! in orange disc	jayal (1291)
1366972	2014-02-06 20:17:00	If you go to disk management you should be able to see what physical drives and partitions you have - right click my computer - manage - disk management. Do you have a key and was it a new PC? Athlon II is an older CPU. Whoever supplied it should be able to tell you what's what. It's a requirement of selling a PC with a pre-installed OS that you be able to restore the OS if needed so there should be a way. It doesn't have to be an OS disk though. 2nd hand may not have the same rules but if it's sold with windows you should have the key as a bare minimum.	dugimodo (138)
1366973	2014-02-06 20:52:00	got a product key and a CoA key the real point is, if I need to do a reinstall or repair without the O S disk I'm lost so if I could get a way to do this it'd be great	jayal (1291)
1366974	2014-02-06 21:04:00	You can make a repair CD and use the windows backup, by clicking "start" Type in Backup select Backup and Restore, top left you can create a repair CD, you can also make an image of the current OS to save someplace. The downside of Windows backup is the drive its going back onto has to be the same size or larger, you cant put the image back to a smaller drive. You can also use some third party programs to make images of the current OS as is. Personally I'd http://www.disk-image.com/ I use it all the time, in fact got two PC's imaging now while writing this :) Theres many other imaging software about as well. If you want the Offical W7 ISO to make a Windows DVD, you can get them from techverse.net You will still need your Own COA ( product Key) select the ISO for the Licence you have.	wainuitech (129)
1366975	2014-02-06 21:34:00	that seems to be the answer "Wainui" got to go out shortly so I'll give that a try tomorrow, I'll be in touch, cheers	jayal (1291)
1366976	2014-02-06 21:54:00	Where did you buy it. is it a genuine copy of windows ? (Win7 ?) Is there a COA key (sticker) on the case anywhere ? There should be if its genuine (as its a clone/built up PC) If its just a 'built up ' PC there should have been a Win CD supplied with it . theres a chance its a pirated copy of Win. Thats going to make things more difficult .	1101 (13337)
1366977	2014-02-06 22:47:00	Where did you buy it. is it a genuine copy of windows ? (Win7 ?) theres a chance its a pirated copy of Win. Thats going to make things more difficult . Seen MANY times people give a piece of paper with a product key hand written, or written on the DVD hmmmmmmm. :illogical Theres one way to check if its legal or not. If you don't have a legit COA sticker, download keyfinder/ (www.magicaljellybean.com) the free one is fine. Then copy / paste the product key into a google search. If you get results its illegal /pirated, while not conclusive, if it doesn't find anything then either the builder may have forgotten to give you the software, or its also possible its some type of key associated with TechNet/MSDN, which you are not meant to have.	wainuitech (129)
1366978	2014-02-06 23:57:00	Seen MANY times people give a piece of paper with a product key hand written, or written on the DVD hmmmmmmm. :illogical Or the 1 Office install CD & get told told install it on several PC's . Had plenty of arguments over that one :) MS only have themselves to blame....they stopped Major manufactures from giving out REAL MS Windows install CD's (why ???? cant use it without COA) So now, many just assume that there is never Install CD's with new/used PC's at all, instead of questioning where the CD is at time of purchase . And there are those who secretly guess that Win is pirated, but dont say anything because they got a cheap deal.	1101 (13337)
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