My new laptop came with a data recovery disc, but it’s not a CD that just contains the Windows operating system. So, what should I do?
Typically, Microsoft requires that all computers shipped with Windows installed provide some methods to recover this operating system. However, many recovery CDs simply restore your hard drive to the manufacturer’s original state, meaning all additional data and applications you installed will be erased.
Fortunately, many new computer brands have eliminated this type of data-erasing recovery disc. New computers from ABS, Dell, Gateway, Lenovo, and WinBook come with a CD containing Windows XP or an alternative method to reinstall the operating system without losing user data.
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Boot from the BartPE environment to reinstall Windows without using the Windows CD. |
If your computer does not come with a Windows CD, it likely has a folder named “i386” containing the Windows installation files. This folder is typically found in the root directory of drive C: or in the C:Windows folder. The system may have multiple i386 folders, but the one you need should contain many files with extensions ending in an underscore (_), alongside files like Expand.exe, regedit.exe, and winnt32.exe. You should back up this folder to a CD while still using the content on the hard drive to reinstall Windows.
Prepare your Windows Product Key, which consists of 25 characters, as you will need it to reinstall the operating system. These numbers may be found on the back of a desktop computer, under a laptop, or in some hidden corner. Additionally, they may also be included in the documentation that came with your purchase.
You will also need a bootable CD to carry out this installation process. The free PE Builder utility by Bart Lagerweij will help you create a bootable CD called Bart’s Preinstall Environment (BartPE) from a Windows CD or the i386 folder.
In the main interface of PE Builder, select the folder or drive containing the i386 folder, not the i386 folder itself. Then, check the Create ISO image and Burn to CD options, and choose the CD-RW drive from the Device dropdown menu. If PE Builder does not support your burner, double-click the .iso file that PE Builder just created to burn this file to a CD using the disc burning software available on your computer.
To reinstall Windows, boot from the BartPE CD you just created and select Go.Programs.A43 File Management Utility (Figure 1). Navigate to the i386 folder on the hard drive (not the i386 folder on the CD) and then double-click on the winnt32.exe file to start the installation process. Once the installation program finishes, restart your computer, remove the CD, and select Microsoft Windows XP Setup from the boot menu.
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PC World USA 11/2005
