D: drive files, are they reall needed for system save?

[rjwilldohisbest]

Hi All.

Having this computer for almost two years, I have noticed upon restoring the os and such that the system save disk (D fills with about 1gb + of files, some resembling those of the C: drive, like cpqs, data, etc.

My C:\ drive is 10 gigs capacity and the D:\ is, or should be 2 gigs. Are the extra files in D: really necessary?
I have a compaq 5822 with win 98, 96 megs of ram, 498 processor (II). The win 98 cd is in the form of two compaq qr disks for restore.

When a restore is done I have noted that the D: drive is left untouched. Does a quick restore derive the restore files from the D drive, factory roms, or from windows/option/cabs? This is where I'm a little confused.

I have reinstall my sytem, trying to use as little as possible and have cd backups in case. I do not know what files in system save must stay put? I'm thinking if I can rid most files that aren't needed this puter will work better.

If anyone would know about this, that would be great.
Thanks for the time.

RJ

 

[Guest_imported]

Hello,
I also have a Compaq Computer. You don't need a "D"
drive. You also don't need a system save on drive "D".
Get rid of drive "D" you will find out your Compaq Computer
will operate alot smoother without that worthless partition.
In fact I used a Cd-R/W and copied all of my "C" drive onto
two CD's and used Fdisk to remove "D" drive. You don't need
system save,your computer has .cab files on it if you need
to locate a certain file. I hope this helps you.

 

[rjwilldohisbest]

Thanks eagle.

would this be windows/option/cabs by any chance?

I took out the d drive except for a few files that I backed up and things are working fine, not much difference of speed like I thought it would be but Im investing in more ram anyways

 

[Guest_imported]

Yes those are the .cab files I was talking about. It almost
sounds like you left "D" drive installed. You need to remove
"D" drive,your computer only needs a "C" drive. I recommend
using a cd-r/w for this operation. You also need to use fdisk after you back up "C". When you're done your computer will only show the "C" Cdrom,which then will be your "D" drive and an "A" drive(Floppy)drive. Warning: If you use the
Compaq Restore CD's again it will undo everything you've done,keep this in mind. Good Luck!

 

[Stealer]

Hi All,

May I ask how old your Compaq is? The new Compaqs are shipped with the restore files on the d: system save partition. The restore disk that they give out only does not contain any windows files or the like. So if you wipe out that partition and your Compaq is new, and your restore disk does not contain Windows you will have to get in touch with Compaq and buy a true restore cd. They only charge around $20.00 for the CD. I've had to replase a few new Compaq hard drives in the past few months and was amazed when I found out that the customer only get the restore files on that restore partition and not a true cd.

Good Luck,

Steve

 

[Guest_imported]

My Compaq was purchased in March of 2000. Is what you are saying they don't give you system restore CD's now,I find that hard to believe. How esle can you restore the computer if something goes wrong? My Compaq was shipped with a system save on drive "D" also. The restore CD's that comes with all Compaq computers DOES contain all Windows files,you'll find that out when and if you use it. As far as not giving the customer restore CD's I have two of them.
All Computers that are sold today do come with some restore CD's. These CD's do come with every Windows files that are needed to make your computer operate. If it was the case like you stated what good would the restore cd's be if they didn't have any windows files on them,not much. May I ask how old your Compaq is?

 

[smitee]

eagleyed1

..."Having this computer for almost two years.."...

I would guess about two years...

..."Does a quick restore derive the restore files from the D drive, factory roms, or from windows/option/cabs? This is where I'm a little confused."...

That's the question. I also have a COMPAQ. If you have some information regarding this I also would be grateful..

Smitee

 

[Stealer]

Hi eagleyed1,

In the past year or so I have had to replace at least 4 or 5 compaq hard drives. All of the hard drives were less than a year old. After installing the new hard drive the first time I found out by calling tech support that the customer must get a true restore disk from Compaq. The restore disk that they got with the computer does NOT contain the windows files and all the drivers that is needed. I know that this is hard to believe but it is a fact. I also do know that all of the older Compaq's do come with restore disks that do contain all the Windows files. I guess they are trying to save more money.


"How esle can you restore the computer if something goes wrong?"
If something goes wrong you can run a restore using the files in the D drive.

If you need to replace the hard drive you must call Compaq and they will sell you a restore disk.


I would assume that doing a quick restore would use the files on your D drive. But I am not certain.

Stephen

 

[Guest_imported]

Smitee,
A quick restore gets the files from the two cd's that come with your Compaq computer. It doesn't care about "D"
drive because it has all of the files on the cd's to restore your computer to original condition. However if you need a particular file you can get it out of the windows
.cab files they're already on your computer. I hope this helps you.
eagleyed1

 

[Guest_imported]

Stealer,
If you've had to replace 4 or 5 hard drives you are definitly doing something wrong. As far as doing a restore from drive "D" good luck. If you have a failed drive you won't be able to do anything. Thats why having system restore or backup on drive "D" is retarded. All it does is take up space. Go out and buy a CD-R/W and back up your entire "C" drive and stop paying Compaq $20.00 for restore cd's.

 

[Stealer]

Hi eagleyed1,

I think that I might have given you the wrong idea. I have not replaced the hard drives in my computer. (I would never buy a Compaq) You see I do a lot of the extended in home warranty work for stores like Curcuit City, Best Buy, Home Shopping Network, Wow, Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, etc, etc. So you see I do have some idea of what I am talking about. I can only give you the facts.

Stephen

 

[euclid]

hi,
stealer and eagleyed1 are both right. if you have two(or more) qr(blue labels) dics, then you don't need the system save on d:, but on some models the restore cd that comes with the unit needs the d:system.sav to do a quick restore. if your hard drive goes bad, you need to call compaq and order the full restore cd in order to restore on a new clean drive. you can always call compaq to verify this.

 

[Guest_imported]

Stealer,
There is nothing wrong with Compaq computers,only the people who buy computers who know nothing about computers
shouldn't own a Compaq or any other computer either.Furthermore if the people who are out in field servicing them don't know what they are doing further compounds the problem. Meaning the techs who try to service them wouldn't be on this site if they knew what they were doing in the 1st place.

 

[Guest_imported]

Euclid,
I don't need to call Compaq if my computer needs restored. If anyone would read what I've posted you or anyone in Cyberspace DOESN'T NEED RESTORE CD'S. If you use a Cd-R/W. You can and I've restored my Compaq with the cd's
I've made and I don't need to call Compaq to verify this,why? Because I've already done it and anyone esle can if they know how.

 

[Stealer]

There is nothing wrong with Compaq computers

Oh Please!!

Furthermore if the people who are out in field servicing them don't know what they are
doing further compounds the problem. Meaning the techs who try to
service them wouldn't be on this site if they knew what they were doing
in the 1st place.

Oh Please!!!
Why is it then that over 50% of all the service calls that we see are for a Compaq Computers that have a hardware problem.

 

[Guest_imported]

Stealer,
Oh Please!!! Find a new site AND a new job!
Oh Please!!! Stop repeating me it almost makes you
sound intelligent,well almost.

 

[Stealer]

Haha, You are very funny.
But really,

Oh please!!
Why would I want to find a new site. I visit this and quite a few other sites each day. I have learned a huge amount by reading about all the different kinds of problems people have each day.
As for your suggestion that i get a new job. Haha, very funny again. Why in the world would I want to do that. I have been doing extended warranty repair for 2 years now. I get to work out of my house, set my own hours, do what I want when I want. Plus I get to continue learing and work on all types of new systems including, Compaq, HP, E-Machines, Micron, Acer, Sony, SystemMax, ABS, and more that I am sure that you have never heard of.
When I started 2 years ago I really had no idea what the heck I was doing. But when you do 100 calls a month for 2 years and study just about all the time you are forced to get good fast or die trying. Welll guess what I am still here.
I am not sure why you seem to be so upset over my post. I am sorry that I had to point out your error. I stand by my post about deleating the D partition. Most users would have to call Compaq if they deleated their D partition and they had no restore disk with Windows files on them.

 

[jaeddy]

As a CompaQ laptop owner I can vouch for the absolute uselessness of the "System Save" partition. After unpacking my machine (about 2 years ago) I found that nearly 1.5GB of the advertised 5GB drive were foolishly devoted to a utility that as an experienced user I knew I did not need.

Given that, I decided to download all the required drivers and do a clean install of 98... except that Compaq did not provide the drivers. Quite frustrating. I called their support folks and complained loudly so they shipped out the two CD set free of charge, meaning I could at least easily restore the system to the unsatisfactory state it was in when I bought it. Drivers slowly became available from third party sources, though the ones (eventually)downloaded from Compaq would not install if the original OS was not in place. Furthermore, Compaq flatly refused to provide me with the information I needed to uninstall the System Save utility, so even though I could eliminate the D drive and expand the C drive (love that Partition Magic) the system save utility remains in place and cannot be done away with.

My mistake was that I did not pack it up and return it for a refund immediately.

Oh, and the idea of copying the C drive to CD-R's has some merit as everyone ought to have a backup if their system is critical to them; however, it is arrogant in the extreme to a) assume everyone has an external CD-R to attach if they have a laptop, and b) belittle the knowledge of folks who find such a solution either cumbersome or simply undesirable. Compaq has a responsibility to provide owners with a simple way to restore their systems in the event the drives are compromised, without the added downtime and expense of purchasing a Restore Set from the company.

 

[Guest_imported]

Jaeddy,
I read your post and here is my reply. The idea of using
a Cd-r/w is the best way to get rid of drive "D" and just have a "C" drive. I never assumed that everyone out there has a CD-R/W,nor did I state that. I was just providing a way for others to remove the "D" drive because on my Compaq
this solution worked for me. The question is: D: drive files,are they really needed for system save? The answer is
on some Compaqs yes,on others no. As far the statement about knowledge if anyone wants to remove the "D" drive on any Computer they can do it if they want to. A computer only needs a "C" drive. If other Compaq owners are happy with their restore Cd's keep using them if not they can try
my way,it works.

 

[Guest_imported]

Stealer,
About pointing out my error? I never stated that everyone out there who owns a Compaq should delete "D"
drive or that partition. I provided a way of deleting drive
"D". I did state that a Computer only needs a "C" drive and I'm sticking to that. If a Compaq owner wants to get rid of drive "D" they can do it,they won't need any restore cd's from Compaq if they use the method I've choosen. They also won't have to contact Compaq for any restore Cd's because they won't need them. But this can only be achieved if they follow my method. If they simply delete drive "D" without following my method then they'll need to contact Compaq. I was only trying to pass on some useful information. Meaning I was only passing on this information showing how I deleted
drive "D". Compaq owners can take it or leave it. For me it works.