Recover / Reformat Plan

 Vista Reformat & Recovery Plan

1)  Can you recover without a reformat? Try:

• Microsoft System Restore – undo changes to your system without affecting personal files, data or photos
• Disc Clean Up
• Disc De fragmentation
• Full Anti Virus Scan & Repair

2)  Use Recovery Manager – Advanced Options List

• Create Recovery CD's
• Hardware Driver Reinstall – Select Driver to Reinstall Options include: Essential System Updates for Microsoft Vista Microsoft Critical Updates for Windows Vista      (Both are hidden in the Driver Options on my HP Vista machine)

If You MUST Reformat:

• List All Software Application Programs in Use – verify CD's or downloads are available to reconstruct them – including applicable accounts, passwords, set up parameters, authentication numbers, etc.     
• List All Printer Drivers & Device Drivers – Do you have the CD's to reinstall them after the reformat?  What other devices do you connect to your PC?      
• Back Up All Files - Use the Back Up option in major applications (Dreamweaver, etc.) which automatically includes set up parameters and passwords in addition to the data files.
• Include Fonts and Favorites 
• Include Email (Outlook Express, etc.) addresses, address book and email files  - use Back Up Function    
• Browser (Internet Explorer or Firefox) settings, favorites & history

Verify Back Up Copy is Complete and Stable! ( Keep a list of what you have forgotten in the past, make sure everything is covered.)

Reverify Back Up Copy is Complete and Stable!!! Again, double check, later.

Deinstall Norton Internet Security

Triple Check You Have Everything Complete & Correct - do this repeatedly, intermittently over time so you have a chance to catch things you may have forgotten.

Run Reformat / Recovery Disk - All your data will be lost and the system returns to it's original state.

1)  PC System Restoration – Local:

• Apply HP's Patches First - Bios and other essential upgrades from the vendor's web site - See HP's Instructions for Vista Service Pack 1 Installation    
• Vista Service Pack 1   
• Encryption Software    
• Reinstall Software Programs - Turn off Auto Update function - often found in the software's Update option.   
• Reinstall Printer Drivers & Device Drivers   
• Anti Virus Program

2) BEFORE Connecting to the Internet for the First Time 

Critical: Configure Firewall BEFORE Connecting to the Internet for the First Time – See separate instructions!!!!!  -  Norton Firewall Defaults are Frightening!!!!

Review / Reset Internet Explorer or FireFox Browser Security Functions BEFORE connecting for the first time:

• Set Security & Privacy to Medium High    
• Turn off Auto Complete for Passwords  (IE's Content tab)
• Disable functions you don't want to use – Like WiFi
• Bios Drivers Verify they are disabled and inactive in Device Manager

Implement Vista User Account Control 

Establish a personal Windows account separate from Administrative account for internet access & general use.

Test the system - make notes on what works, what you want to do differently when you have to do it again, and you will!!!  ;-)

Other Options to Remember:

Start - Function Key R brings up options – Recovery Manager, Back Up & Restore Center Choose Run type in: msconfig - to get configuration options msinfo32 – to get your system configuration information devmgmt.msc – to get device manager  

Copyright© 1999-2008 Michele Moore. All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, distributed or rewritten without permission from the author.

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Test the system - make notes on what works, what you want to do differently when you have to do it again, and you will!!! ;-)