As I mentioned on my previous post, we get 1 out of 10 calls that require us to reinstall the operating system, or, to most, reformat the computer… that is why, I can’t reiterate more the importance of backing up your files… but then, one of the causes why we can’t do a reinstall or reformat is because the customer don’t have the CDs, mainly the Operating System CD…
As per Webopedia Operating System or commonly abbreviated as OS or O/S is:
“The most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
For large systems, the operating system has even greater responsibilities and powers. It is like a traffic cop — it makes sure that different programs and users running at the same time do not interfere with each other. The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not access the system.”
I think that is simple enough… examples of OS are Windows XP and Vista from Microsoft, which are the 2 OS we mainly support, but there is also Mac OS X for Mac users, then Linux/Unix which is an open source (meaning free) operating system… I won’t go on to details into this, mainly because as I said, my main support is only on XP and Vista, and that it might further confuse you… anyway, that is not our topic… and that when you buy a computer, it would come with a preinstalled OS already…
Now, since the OS is already preinstalled, they don’t give you the OS CD… well, Acer don’t give out the CD and neither do they teach customer on how to create a recovery console… I don’t know about the other computer brand but my uncle who uses a Mac notebook is not also aware that he should also have a CD or was thought on how to do a recovery console… But, Dell does… they send out all the CDs… from your operating system cd, drivers and utility cds, to other programs that is preinstalled like your burning software and whatnot that you requested… this regardless what Aaron’s Rent A Center says… if you are to buy or rent from Aaron, get the CDs…
There are a lot of issues that could be fix using the Windows XP or Vista CD… particularly in no boot scenarios—the computer turns on, there is something on the screen even if it is just a blinking cursor on a black screen… your OS cd is the most powerful weapon you would have… that is the reason you should have the CD on hand always…
Going back to Acer, the computer I use, I was told there is a factory image saved on my system so to do a reinstall, I just need to access that and I am good to go—Alt key + F10 key… they also recommend to save the file, visit their website to learn more about this… try this link: http://www.acer.com.ph/recovery.php… but then, what if I don’t want to do a full reinstall as it would delete all my files, including all the programs I installed… see what I mean…?
Dell also have the option to go back to factory setting, there is an image installed too… to access that just press ctrl + f11 for windows XP at the same time and release at the same time once you see the Dell Logo upon start of computer… tap on F8 on Vista once you see the Dell logo…
Now aside from the OS CD, another important CD that you must have is the Driver CD… Dell send that out too, you should keep that, it is actually the most important CD as you could buy an OS CD anywhere but the Driver CD that Dell sends you is specific to your system… you could download it on the website support.dell.com but before you could go to the internet after reinstall you need to install the driver for the internet… so with other computer brand, like Acer… you have to download the drivers first off their site before you do a reinstall or find another computer that have internet access…
Driver CD includes the CD that comes with the printer… we always get this… customer could no longer locate their Printer CD… and HP no longer support XP, all their drivers now is for Vista, so if you lost your driver for your HP driver, it’s either you upgrade to Vista or buy a new printer…
Also for your other programs such as Microsoft Office, Adobe, your Power DVD, etc… you should always keep your CD as well as the label… as the label contains the product key… and Microsoft refuses to help most of the time, to locate your product key even if you have the CD and your only problem is the product key… you would end up having to buy anew CD which would cost a few hundred dollars…
Rule of thumb, when you buy a computer, you always ask for OS CD or if they don’t give out the CD as for your options… and any CD that comes with either your hardware or software, keep them along with the labels… have them on a library…
trouble shoot 101 