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How to Prepare for Boot or System Problems by Creating a Windows 7 Repair Disk
One fine day you sit down at the computer to turn it on and suddenly the day is not so fine anymore—Windows won’t boot. Or maybe you get a screen full of error messages.
There are many possibilities for the cause of this unhappy event, including a malware infection. Assuming it isn’t from malware, the problem can often be fixed if you happen to have a full Windows installation disk. The procedure for Windows XP is discussed at this link and an example case for one type of problem in Windows Vista / 7 is given here.
But what if you don’t have a full Windows installation disk? Cost-cutting OEMs often provide only a restore disk or perhaps just a hidden restore partition. These return the system to the same state it was in when you bought it but won’t help fix a problem. Microsoft finally wised up to this common dilemma and has provided a way in Windows 7 to create a system repair disk. This handy disk can be used to fix many problems. Here is what all Windows 7 users should do before an emergency strikes:
- Open the Start menu
- Enter "repair" (no quotes) in the "Search programs and files" line
- Choose "Create a System Repair Disc"
- A dialog box opens listing your CD/DVD drive and instructing you to insert a blank CD (image below)
- Click “Create disc”
An alternate path is: Control Panel—System and Maintenance—Backup and Restore. In the left pane, click Create a system repair disc and then follow steps 4 and 5 above.
After it has been burnt, put the disk (or "disc" as Microsoft spells it) in a safe place and hope you never have to use it.
If you have trouble creating a disk (or "disc"), you can download an ISO copy at this NeoSmart link. Unfortunately, this is a torrent download and requires a torrent manager.
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This tips section is maintained by Vic Laurie. Vic runs a Windows blog called The PC Informant and also operates a computer education website.
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Comments
Dec 21
Thanks Gizmo.
Worked Good in my Win 7, Cool ! But a question ensued when my Girlfriend (a dedicated XP user) said, "how do Ya do it in XP ?" I had no answer for her, does anybody have one ? I know, I know, I try to talk her into upgrading, and I get an argument from her, so a night on the Couch - I do not need... She can be a real stubborn "be-atch" sometimes...
Darren, I'm a long way from being Gizmo but I wrote the tip so I'll answer.
Windows XP doesn't come with a direct way to make an emergency repair disk. If you have a full installation disk, that can be used. Otherwise, you can take a look at the reference I mention in the tip (http://commandwindows.com/recovery.htm).
Windows XP doesn't have a decent backup program either but you could consider the free imaging software recommended in our Editor's Choice list (http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/top-freeware-picks-category-edit...).
Neosmart host MS approved recovery disk images to download via torrent. Windows 7 & Vista 32 & 64 bit versions are available.
Is there a similar product/function for Vista 32-bit?
@TheProfit: I do not personally know of a free disk for Vista. Vista does not have a repair disk feature.
You can grab Vista repair disk iso, in 32 and 64 bit flavors, from NeoSmart .
First I want to say thank you for the info. I'm going to make a bootable repair disc and hope I never have to use it. But for whatever reason this morning I went to reply to an email and as soon as I clicked on name my whole screen went blue and had a load of error messages on it. When I got my HP Pavillion it said to make a bootable repair disc and I did, I ran it twice and it said it was probly a software problem. However after running it I restarted my computer and it booted and I have not had a problem since. I downloaded some holiday backround screens and thats when I seemed to have this problem. To say the least I have since deleated all of them. anyway I just wanted to say thanks for the advice and you have a happy holidays if I don't speak to you again till after Christmas...Another question I have is my system always asks me to make a system restore disc, I'm trying to put it on DVD discs but it never seems to complete. Any suggestions?????????
Thank You
Jeff
jeffmiller14@comcast.net
@Jeff Miller:
Happy holidays to you also.
I don't know why making a restore disc doesn't complete. I am assuming this is a Windows 7 system. Are you using HP software to create the disc or using the Windows 7 Backup feature? I believe HP will give you restore discs if you ask them. There may be a fee.
@Chefbob: Already noted in revised tip.
Worked a treat on Win 7 64Bit system-------------thanks [but I don't want to give it a try!]
It took less than 2 minutes to make the disc, thanks for the tip.
'repair' without the quotes does not work for me. Microsoft help says use 'backup' (again no quotes) = fine.
Try the alternate path that has been added to the tip.
Thanks,David.
I clicked on ..Create a system REPAIR Disc.
Seems to be the correct choice.
Thanks,again...
Rick
Tried the procedure suggested.I am unable to get the choices mentioned.Starting with START," Repair,Create a system restore disc."
Bought new with Vista(64bit),upgraded to Windows 7(64bit).\
Now what?
Thanks.
Try the alternate path that has been added to the tip.
It is a little known fact that MOST retail systems with their own software packages will not allow the customer to create a Windows 7 Repair Disk. The most useful feature of this disk is that if your system will not boot you can boot from the disk and return to a restore point, a quick and simple fix.
This disk has helped me to restore many DEAD systems, it is a shame the manufactures disable Windows 7 ability to create it, or allow it's creation and then disable it's ability to boot. If your system has allowed you to create a Windows Repair Disk and you have not tested it I suggest you do so now.
I am not aware of the situation you describe with regard to OEMs disabling the feature. My only personal experience with OEM systems is with an ASUS PC where I created a disk with no problems.
Can anyone provide any more information about this?
Added later: I did some research and there do seem to be some problems with different Windows 7 systems. I have added a download link for obtaining a copy of the repair disc (disk) to the tip. Thanks go to Jeff for letting us know about this situation.
In English (this side of the pond) it is disc rather than disk.....
Laurie, MS spells is "disc" as you note because that's how it is spelled. :)
DISC/DISK -- to quote from the magical internet --“Compact disc” is spelled with a “C” because that’s how its inventors decided it should be rendered; but a computer hard disk is spelled with a “K” In modern technological contexts, “disks” usually reproduce data magnetically, while “discs” (CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc.) reproduce it “optically,” with lasers. Badda Bing Badda Boom
I was aware of that distinction being made but personally I consider it pedantic. The average person is no great shakes at spelling anyway and expecting them to keep track of this sort of distinction wastes energy that could be better spent. These tips are written for a general audience and not for the technorati. And as someone else pointed out, the British use "disc" sometimes when Americans use "disk".
Another area where popular usage ignores fine distinctions is the use of "virus" for all sorts of malware that is technically a "worm" or "Trojan horse" and not a "virus". How about the question of whether "web" and "Internet" should be capitalized? Or is "web site" one word or two? We could go on and on.
Although we care about presentation the finer points of spelling and grammar are not a priority. We have both editors and visitors who do not use English as their first language. All contributions here are welcome and we especially appreciate the efforts of those communicating in what is to them an alien tongue :) As Vic says, bickering about this only takes up valuable space which could otherwise be filled with something useful.
Well said!
this may make you roll your eyes....but were do you get a disk to make a repair one for windows?
Eyes firmly fixed, I suggest that you try any store that sells computer stuff. They all sell blank CDs and DVDs.
Is there any hope for a similar solution under Vista (64bit)?
--> My PC came without Windows install disks & no option to create same.
Creating a repair disk is new in Windows 7. Vista does have a feature called "Windows Recovery Environment" but you need a regular installation disk for systems that won't boot. In some cases, boot problems will cause the Recovery Environment to open. Otherwise, you can try pressing the F8 key when you turn on the PC and see if you can get the Advanced Boot Options screen. Note that solutions often involve using a command-line tool.
Is there a way to do this on a USB memory stick (for a laptop with no DVD/CD drive)?
There is an article by Gizmo (http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/free-utility-creates-bootable-us...) on creating bootable USB keys. You'll need to be sure that your BIOS settings provide for booting from USB. You may need to borrow someone else's repair disk to copy the appropriate files to the bootable USB key.
nice and useful info...
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