Vista Recovery Disc

Downloads Count: 19,044

License Type: Free

Price: Free

Date Added: May 1, 2008

Operating Systems: Windows Vista

Author: Microsoft

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Avg. User Rating 2

Editor's Review of Vista Recovery Disc

It looked like Microsoft was finally going to do the right thing. Beta versions of Vista SP1 came with a modern equivalent of the old Windows Boot Floppy--a Start Menu option called Create a Recovery Disc that burned a Windows PE-based emergency CD. Alas, Microsoft removed that feature before SP1 shipped, but not before NeoSmart turned the disc into an .iso file and made it available on their site.

Running on the Vista version of Windows PE, the Recovery Disc is basically a Vista installation disc minus the install files. It even has an Install now button that asks for a Product Key before failing. You're better off clicking the Repair your computer button. Among its Vista-only options are a tool for diagnosing and fixing startup problems, a version of System Restore that uses restore points on the hard drive, the restore portions of Vista's backup program, and a memory diagnostic tool.

Note: This link takes you to NeoSmart's site, where you can download the latest version of the software.

--Lincoln Spector

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Most recent User Reviews for Vista Recovery Disc

Reviewed by: nymark

05-07-2008

Duration of ownership: 3 Days

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Overall Evaluation: They rejected my passwod they sent me also the registration key which I checked several times it not worth the hassel so I deleted it
Reviewed by: dwpenn

05-06-2008

Duration of ownership: 0 Months

Strengths: Offering a solution is a strength

Weaknesses: Delivering the solution by uncommon means (including use of a 3rd party product) should be avoided. The author may like and use the 3rd party product (ÂµTorrent), but should not impose it on everyone. For one thing (aside from having to find/install/setup/use a new application) this new application opens up a two way linkage to from the users PC. I've already said I wouldn't want to force a user to adopt a new product just to get another new product, but I definately would not want to leave them after a one time use of that product with an exploitable connection that could be a risk to them.

Overall Evaluation: I never got to use the product, it became to cumbersome and potentially risky to try and get there from here for reasons covered above. PC Word should screen for and ask their submitters to stick to an out in the open standard and not force any 3rd party application (aside from unzip).
Reviewed by: Tim94595

05-06-2008

Duration of ownership: 2 Weeks

Strengths: Free - Exceedingly usefull if your Vista machine crashes!

Weaknesses: Have to download and burn an ISO image to a blank CD/DVD disk, using uTorrent's bitTorrent clien software. Can be challenging for the novice user...but...DETAILED instructions can be found on the download website.

Overall Evaluation: Snoops does not know what he/she is talking about regarding Windows XP. This is a very valuable tool when needed to recover from a system malfunction, especially in Windows Vista. Please carefully review all the data and referenced on the download website. You have to download a "pointer" file that itself will later enable you to download the actual IOS image to be burned to CD/DVD. It's complicated but woth the effort!
Reviewed by: Snoops

05-06-2008

Duration of ownership: 0 Months

Strengths:

Weaknesses: Cannot be downloaded on an XP machine

Overall Evaluation: If you need this file it looks like you'll have to download it on a Vista machine, do it before you need it, don't wait until after you need it because if you have an XP machine and a Vista machine and your Vista machine goes down, you won't be able to download it on an XP machine to burn to disc. It doesn't tell you it can't be downloaded onan XP machine, either.

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PRODUCT NAME

30 Day Change ALL-TIME

DATE ADDED

LICENSE
Vista Recovery Disc

19,044

May 1, 2008

Free

Filed Under: Recovery
Recover data from a damaged Vista system with this little-known Microsoft utility.

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Free, reliable imaging software that covers all the basics.

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Avira UnErase Personal

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Avira UnErase recovers data that have been deleted from the hard drive

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40

Apr 25, 2008

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Easy to configure image-based backup with a powerful feature set.

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CDRoller

407

Jul 21, 2008

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A powerful, easy-to-use and low cost toolset for CD and DVD data recovery

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518

Oct 1, 2007

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Filed Under: Antivirus & Security
Microsoft's PC maintenance service wraps a polished but all-or-nothing interface around a set of security tools.

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Recovery for Outlook Express

219

Jan 26, 2006

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This effective data recovery tool for Outlook Express is about as painless as it gets--except for the price.

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