How to Make a Backup Copy for Vista on a CD
Making a backup copy of Vista does not create a disk that can be used to completely reinstall the operating system. Instead, it creates a disc with the installation feature removed, but the operating system repair and recovery features intact, making it a useful tool if you experience any major issues while running Vista. If you want to make a backup copy of the Vista operating system that you have running on your system, the Windows Vista Service Pack provides a fairly simple way to do so.
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Instructions
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Download the Microsoft Service Pack 1 if you have not already installed it as an update to Vista. Microsoft Service Pack 1 contains a number of system upgrades, including the ability to create a CD backup copy of Vista in some versions.
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Open the “Start” menu on your computer and go to “All Programs.” Click on “Maintenance” if it is available in the menu followed by “Create a Recovery Disc.”
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Insert a blank CD-R into the CD drive of your computer. Click “Create Disc” to make a copy of your Vista operating system.
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Download an old version of recdisc.exe if “Maintenance” is not an option in your Start menu. If this is the case, you have a version of the Microsoft Service Pack 1 that does not contain the recovery disc feature, and you'll have to hack the service pack. The correct recdisc.exe download is available at istartedsomething.com. Save recdisc.exe on the desktop of your computer so that it is easy to find.
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Go to the “Start” menu and “My Computer.” Open “C:/Windows>System32.” Right-click the “recdisc.exe” file in the folder that comes up and choose “Properties” from the menu.
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Switch to the “Security” tab and click the “Advanced” button. Switch to the “Owner” tab in the “Advanced Security Settings for recdisc.exe” screen and click the “Edit” button.
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Choose “Administrators” under “Change owner to” and press the “OK” button, then press “OK” again to return to the “File Security Settings” window.
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Press the “Edit” button. Select “Administrators” from the “Group or user names” list and check “Allow” next to “Full control” in the Permissions for Administrators section. Click “OK.”
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Right-click on the recdisc.exe file and choose “Rename” from the menu. Give the recdisc.exe file a new extension, such as “recdisc.dead” to make the file cease to work without removing the file from the system.
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Move the recdisc.exe file you downloaded from the desktop of your computer to the “System32” folder. Double-click “recdisc.exe” to open the recovery disc feature, insert the blank CD-R and click “Create a Recovery Disc.”
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Tips & Warnings
The only alternative to creating a Windows Vista recovery through the operating system is to download a recovery disc file and burn it to CD in a standard CD-writing program. Windows Vista Recovery disc image files are available at NeoSmart Files listed in Resources.
References
Resources
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