I'd like to know how to run the Windows 7 Recovery partition installed by PC Specialist to return to the original state. I didn't order it with the OS installed - I have Win 7 Home Premium installation disk - but it did have Win 7 and drivers installed on delivery. Using the Restore to Factory setting by running my installation disk didn't work - it shows the Recovery partition as "Not Genuine Windows". Running the Recovery or Factory option doesn't work. The Recovery partition doesn't run if the volume letter is changed to C and the previous C changed to a Logical letter. I did try a clean install onto the SSD but a Windows message says that the SSD is not suitable. The system has Windows 7 and some programs on the SSD, but the main programs are on a logical partition on the hard drive. I've used an Acronis image that I took to return to a functioning system, but I would like to start again at the point that PC Specialist configured it.
Running the Windows 7 recovery partition on an SSD
- Thread starter JB66
- Start date
Some shop bought computers come with the OS preinstalled but with no disc supplied. Instead there is a recovery partition which basically contains a copy of Windows.
PCS do not do this. They install the OS requested and supply the disc (with serial number) for later reinstalls if required. By default an OS is installed for testing purposes but if you did not order one then it is useless to you unless you have a serial number with which to register it. Presumeably it was "not genuine Windows" because it had not been registered.
The Windows 7 you have will need to be a retail version (not OEM) for which you have a serial number. I have no idea why the SSD would be unsuitable but try reinstalling using 'Custom' and let the procedure format the SSD prior to installing. After installing, install the drivers from the supplied disc for your computer. If for some reason you don't have that disc then download the drivers from PCS.
PCS do not do this. They install the OS requested and supply the disc (with serial number) for later reinstalls if required. By default an OS is installed for testing purposes but if you did not order one then it is useless to you unless you have a serial number with which to register it. Presumeably it was "not genuine Windows" because it had not been registered.
The Windows 7 you have will need to be a retail version (not OEM) for which you have a serial number. I have no idea why the SSD would be unsuitable but try reinstalling using 'Custom' and let the procedure format the SSD prior to installing. After installing, install the drivers from the supplied disc for your computer. If for some reason you don't have that disc then download the drivers from PCS.
Thanks dogbot. It looks as though the unlabelled active Recovery partition may have been left from PDS' testing. It did contain .WIM files so it was deployable. The Windows OS did accept my retail serial number but it was a bit flaky, so I moved the Recovery partition to a secure partition and did a clean install. Windows was iffy about formatting the Recovery and C drives as they contained MBRs. I'm pleased with the system after the clean install; PCS made a neat job of assembly but didn't connect the case fans.
I'm surprised you accept that careless omission so lightly.
Since PCS actually name the assembler, he'd certainly have received a rocket from TG!
None of the case fans are connected to anything? Normally they should be connected to the internal fan controller.