Can I copy/backup the pre-installed software onto a CD disc?

[coody]

My PC has been pre-installed some software such as the Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office, DVD Power etc but no CD comes with. I am afraid of the pre-installed programs will be gone once the PC crashes and the Operating System Windows XP has to be reinstalled. Is there any way that I can copy/backup the pre-installed software onto a CD disc with the backup software such as the Nero so that I can restore the software when I need them? Thank you for your answer.

[ROF]

There should be a partition on your hard drive which contains these materials in an installable/burnable fashion. There should also be a program on your computer to make image copies of this software. If not you will need to backup your entire windows system and system32 to make sure you get everything plus the program folder. There's no guarantee it will work though. You might want to contact the company you purchased the PC from and find out how you can backup this material properly.

[jimmalenko]

Is there any way that I can copy/backup the pre-installed software onto a CD disc with the backup software such as the Nero so that I can restore the software when I need them?

Unfortunately not, as most "complex" programs install files all over your hard drive as well as create multiple registry entries. AFAIK if your PC supplier advertised said programs as pre-installed, then by rights they should be supplying you with OEM CDs or alternatively a restore disc. I'm pretty sure that by law they can't supply such software without providing you with a license and install disc(s). I'd take it up with the PC supplier.

[thecoalman]

Go to My Computer and look to see if you have a extra HDD. If you purchased a computer with 1 harddrive and two are listed then the additional one will contain the backup of your original factory condition when it was sent to you. Should be 5 to 10 GB.

How to access this varies. You should at the very least have gotten a restore disc. Usually you only need to pop this into a drive and reboot which will bring up a restore screen. From there you can restore to factory defaults.... even reinstall windows as a standalone depending on the type of disc they have sent you. Restoring to factory default is very quick since it only needs to copy the backup to the partition.

The restore disc may even contain all of those apps but it would need to be a DVD. I'd contact the vendor and inquire how you are supposed to restore your computer if the HDD fails if those apps are not on that disc.

The last comp I bought from a vendor had all of those options. It included a restore disc to restore to factory default or install windows as a standalone. All the applications installed came on there own discs. First thing I did was reformat the drive removing the factory backup partition and reinstall windows as standalone.

I hate clutter.....

[smearbrick1]

HP, Compaq? The wonderful restore partition. I know HPs and Compaq have an app installed that allows you to burn backups of all the software pre-installed on your system. Only takes about 10 cd-rs.