Information

This will show you how to download or create a Recovery Disc for both the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista.

NOTE

The Recovery Disc created here does not install Vista. It is also not like the OEM Vista recovery DVD that comes with most store bought computers. Instead it is used only to boot from to repair your already installed Vista. See the example below for the options available from the recovery disc when booted from.

Tip

This can be useful if you only have a OEM Vista recovery DVD or partition and would like to have a dvd to boot from to repair your Vista instead of reinstalling it. Plus, the recovery disk files are small enough to fit on a CD if you do not want to or can use a DVD.

RELATED LINKS:

• How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista
• How to Do a Startup Repair in Vista
• How to Do a System Restore in Vista
• How to Restore the Complete Computer from a Complete Backup and Restore Image in Vista
• How to Use the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Vista
• List of Commands for Vista and How to Use Them
• How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD
• How to Create a Bootable USB Flash Thumb Drive to Install Vista

EXAMPLE: System Recovery Options screen
NOTE: Using the Recovery Disc you create below, you can boot to the System Recovery Options screen below.

NOTE

This option is perfect if you do not have a retail Vista installation DVD and only have a OEM Vista recovery DVD or partition, or if you do not have the Vista SP1 installed.

STEP ONE:
Download the ISO file

WARNING

Be sure to download the 32 bit or 64 bit version for your version of Vista. To see what bit version you have of Vista, open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon, or right click Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties. You will see the bit version under the System type section.

1. Download the 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit ISO file from here:
NOTE: This will be a torrent download. Instructions on how to download a torrent file are at the site below.

http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/download-windows-vista-x64-recovery-disc/

2. Follow the instructions at the site to convert the torrent file to a ISO file, then you can use their instructions to burn the ISO to DVD or the ones here in STEP TWO below. Either one will work just fine.

STEP TWO:
Burn the ISO file to CD or DVD

NOTE

You can use any ISO burner you like, but here are instructions with one you can use in this tutorial.

3. Download and install the 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit version of the program ISO Recorder v3 for your version of Vista at:
NOTE: Be sure to download the 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit version for your version of Vista. To see what bit version you have of Vista, open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon, or right click Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties. You will see the bit version under the System type section.

4. Use the instructions to burn the ISO file from STEP ONE above to a CD or DVD.
NOTE: You will right click the ISO file (on desktop) and click on Copy image to CD, then follow the rest of the instructions at the link. Be sure to have a blank CD or DVD in the drive first of course.

5. Now you can boot from this Recovery Disc to go to the System Recovery Options screen in the example above.

NOTE

This option is only useful if you have the Vista SP1 installed and have a retail Vista installation DVD to use to create a Recovery Disc with your version of Vista for yourself or for someone else. If you do not have a retail Vista installation DVD, then you can also borrow a friends to use to make one from your computer.

STEP ONE:
Replace the recdisc.exe file

NOTE

You will need to replace the recdisc.exe file installed by the SP1 with a pre-release SP1 version instead for the 32 bit or 64 bit version of Vista that you have. To see what bit version you have of Vista, open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon, or right click Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties. You will see the bit version under the System type section.

1. For the 32 bit (x86) Vista -

A) Click on the download button below to download the recdisc_x86.zip file.

B) Go to step 3.

2. For the 64 bit (x64) Vista -

A) Click on the download button below to download the recdisc_x64.zip file.

3. Save the ZIP file to your desktop.

4. Right click on the ZIP file (on desktop) and click on Open.

5. Click on Allow for UAC prompt.

6. Extract the recdisc.exe file to the desktop.
NOTE: You can delete the ZIP file (on desktop) when done if you want to.

7. In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\recdisc.exe. (See screenshot below)

8. Take ownership of the recdisc.exe file at this location (step 7).

9. Right click on the recdisc.exe file on the desktop, from step 6, and click on Copy.

10. Go back to the C:\Windows\System32\recdisc.exe window and right click on a empty area and click on Paste. (See screenshot below step 13)

11. Click on Copy and Replace and Continue.

12. Right click on recdisc.exe and click on Send To and Desktop (create shortcut).

13. Place the shortcut where you want for easy use.

STEP TWO:
Create a Recovery Disc

14. Double click on the recdisc.exe shortcut to run the program.

15. Select your DVD drive and click on create disc. (See screenshot below.

16. Insert your retail Vista installation DVD into your CD/DVD drive and click on Continue. (See screenshot below)

17. You will now see this. (See screenshot below)

18. After a little bit, it will ask you to replace the Vista installation DVD with a blank CD or DVD.

A) Insert a blank CD or DVD into your CD/DVD drive and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

19. When it is finished click on Close for both windows. (See screenshots below)

20. Now you can boot from this Recovery Disc to go to the System Recovery Options screen in the example above.

That’s it,
Shawn