Juat bought a new Laptop (HP Pavillion), as it came without disks to load up, now it's set up I need to copy the programs etc onto backup incase it has to be re loaded (as it can only be done once from start up)

My question is what type of disk do I need and how many as it says you'll need several to so it.

just normal cdr dics i wouldnt use rw as they are not as reliable i wouldnt skimp on the ones you use either as some pcs remove the backup from the hdd when the jobs complete leaving you one shot.Different manufacturers vary but i do know at least some of the dixons group pcs do it.

My question is what type of disk do I need and how many as it says you'll need several to so it.
should be between 2 or 3 cdr or 1 dvd

The ones I've done have used 2DVD's or 7CD's

You can 'restore' the machine as many times as you wish, the reinstall information will be on a hidden part of the hard drive, if you read the manual, you'll probably have to boot in recovery mode (often a bios option) and this will allow you to put it back to how it was when you got it out of the box...

you would need to backup your documents and stuff, but other than that, you shouldnt need to worry.

Thanks for all your replies, they're very helpful.

I bought a box of 25 DVD+R discs and like the posting above said it took 2 and almost an hour to do!

I thought I could use the remainder of the DVD's to backup my main PC but it wouldn't do it. I get confused with the type of disks available and what they're for. :confused:

The ones I've done have used 2DVD's or 7CD's

Yep, same here.


I thought I could use the remainder of the DVD's to backup my main PC but it wouldn't do it. I get confused with the type of disks available and what they're for.

You should be able to use the remainder of the DVDs to backup files... if the PC has a DVD-writer drive.

As for what the types of discs are for...
CD-R = Recordable CD, for data files (usually upto 700MB) or creating a true Audio CD.
CD-RW = As above, but ReWritable.

DVD+R/DVD-R = Recordable DVD, for data files (usually upto 4700MB) or creating a DVD Movie disc.
DVD+RW/DVD-RW = As above, but ReWritable.


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It took two DVDs to backup a Vista operating system? That's very strange.

Unless it also backs up all the preloaded software too... ouch

It took two DVDs to backup a Vista operating system? That's very strange.

Unless it also backs up all the preloaded software too... ouch

It will have backed up the recovery partition which will include the OS and any software that came with it.

It will have backed up the recovery partition which will include the OS and any software that came with it.

Yep...


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Yep, same here.




You should be able to use the remainder of the DVDs to backup files... if the PC has a DVD-writer drive.

As for what the types of discs are for...
CD-R = Recordable CD, for data files (usually upto 700MB) or creating a true Audio CD.
CD-RW = As above, but ReWritable.

DVD+R/DVD-R = Recordable DVD, for data files (usually upto 4700MB) or creating a DVD Movie disc.
DVD+RW/DVD-RW = As above, but ReWritable.


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Thanks Moonlight that makes it a lot clearer!

No problem. Glad to be of assistance.

Of course, the above are just normal application. They do have other uses... :)


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