Windows XP forum: recovery console

Generally I would say no.

You didn't mention the manufacturer and model. Also, are you experiencing a problem with the computer?

Charlie

All that the emachines online User's Guide says regarding Restoration is:

Restoring your system
All programs that were preinstalled on your computer are available on the backup
restorediscs that you created with the recovery media program, on the hard drive, or on
restore discs that were included with your computer. If you need to restore your computer
to the original configuration, you can use the backup restore discs or you can use the
backup files located on the hard drive.
The instructions for using the restore discs or hard drive backup files are included in the
instruction booklet that came with your restore discs.

The User's Guide which is downloadable in PDF at http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html?cat=Desktops&subcat=T-Series&model=T3408 [seems] to apply to all of their Desktops. I have their T3624 and have never used the Recovery Cd's, but I can't understand how or why they would every be "used up" unless maybe he means that they are damaged.

I have however, restored from the Recovery partition (Drive D) about four or five times. And as far as I know it should never become "used up" unless it becomes corrupt. As far as I know all emachines Desktops preloaded with Windows XP OS's have a Startup program at Start > Run > type "msconfig" w/o the quotes > OK > Startup tab, that is called "RECGUARD" which helps prevent the Recovery partition from being altered or corrupt. RECGAURD should never be unselected, disabled or removed. I have once [heard] of RECGUARD being damaged by some kind of virus, so I have to assume it's not perfect.

Hope this is helpful.

Charlie

I guess that must be something new, well on me anyway. I hope that doesn't apply to my Recovery partition or anyone's for that matter. That's really a cheap shot by emachines. My emachines system is out of warranty and I can't get any thing out of them unless I pay a service fee. I hope someone out there with the scoop on this matter weighs-in.

The Recovery partition is really very easy to use.
The System Recovery partition (Start > All Programs > System Recovery > System Recovery) is very easy to use. It has a non-destructive feature which basically re-installs the OS files w/o damaging or erasing any programs or personal files. And has a destructive feature which reformats and re-installs the entire System to just like when it was new and out of the box. At Start > All Programs > System Recovery there is also a shortcut to reinstall original Programs and Drivers.

Come to think of it, the Recovery Cd's might also be replacing the Recovery partition as well. So, we might be better-off using the Recovery partition first. I hope someone who knows for sure about this will weigh-in about it, too.

Charlie

Guess I've just been lucky, so far.

Also, I forgot to mention that following System Recovery the updates and patches have to be reaquired.