Doing a system recovery

[rov1200]

A recovery disk is too small to contain over 12Gb of system programs. In some instances the hard disk may not be partitioned, So where are the programs held? Are they hidden? Are they in Zip files? Is there not a possibility that some of these files could get corrupted in a disk failure? Also a format wipes all files from the hard disk.

[VHG]

When you say "recovery disk" I assume you mean a recovery area on the hard disk as opposed to a recovery CD or DVD.

On a hard disk this is a often a hidden partition, which will not be seen by the user.

You say 12Gb of programs but a recovery image is only windows and a few utilities so it is not going to be 12Gb.

And yes, it is compressed, not a Zip file, but similar concept.

I have an Acronis backup of my complete XP disk (with Microsoft Office and a whole load of other programs) and it come to just over 5Gb - Vista will be bigger.

It is not likely this recovery image on hard disk will get corrupted itself, it is usually one large "file" so the chance of it getting corrupted is low.

And yes, if there is a disk failure you could lose this recovery partition, which is why it is always a good idea to make a recovery DVD if you computer gives you that option.

Have a look in your PC documentation to see if there is a program you can run to make your own recovery DVDs.

[rov1200]

Thanks for the info. I never knew there was a hidden partition, hidden files,yes. I was extrapolating about the size of XP. Memory told me that even in old editions the expanded version took 8Mb. Whatever the figure it far exceeds the disk capacity.

I have just checked on my desktop backups and there is one recovery DVD 4.7Gb max but this has to be created soon after purchase I believe.

I knew someone who deleted his recovery partition by accident and had a hell lot of trouble getting his original system back.

[maidenhead2014]

The hard drive is one of the most important components within your computer so in case if you have such doubts or issues or if develops a fault then there is a good chance that the data you are working on or have already saved is at the risk of being lost. So in such a case the best is to take help from hard disk data recovery experts for any kind of doubt clarification.
http://www.maidenheaddatarecovery.co.uk/

[advancerecovery]

Hard drive failures can be anything from components attached to the hard drive to software malfunctions and corruptions. If your Mac shuts down without you requesting that it do so begins reporting a whole host of disk errors then we recommend that you shut the computer down and contact us here at www.advanceddatarecoverylondon.co.uk.