New Laptop Windows 7

I would like to buy a new laptop. What are the pros/cons of buying now with
a WinVista OS, and upgradingto Win 7 OS, over waiting a few weeks, and
getting one with a Win 7 OS?

 

Thanks, I feel a clean install is the best, especially since the release
date is so close.

"Spanketh Thy Monkey" <spanketh@thymonkey.org> wrote in message
news:haoaao$980$1@news.eternal-september.org...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
>
> "jmac" <jmac@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:uuXnudSSKHA.3912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> I would like to buy a new laptop. What are the pros/cons of buying now
>> with a WinVista OS, and upgradingto Win 7 OS, over waiting a few weeks,
>> and getting one with a Win 7 OS?
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> If you purchase now, you will have Vista on the system. If you then
> upgrade to Win 7, you will have to reinstall Windows 7 and start all over.
> Is it worth it to redo your system in a few weeks? You will need to
> reinstall all apps and restore data.
>
> Of course you will back up your data to an external device? This should
> be done regardless of installing a new OS.
>
> Some will say to do an upgrade, but you should always do a clean install
> when installing a new OS.
>
> It's up to you.
>
>
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

Thanks

I think I will wait for the Laptops to come with the Win 7 OS.

Jim

"Spanketh Thy Monkey" <spanketh@thymonkey.org> wrote in message
news:haoaao$980$1@news.eternal-september.org...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
>
> "jmac" <jmac@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:uuXnudSSKHA.3912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> I would like to buy a new laptop. What are the pros/cons of buying now
>> with a WinVista OS, and upgradingto Win 7 OS, over waiting a few weeks,
>> and getting one with a Win 7 OS?
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> If you purchase now, you will have Vista on the system. If you then
> upgrade to Win 7, you will have to reinstall Windows 7 and start all over.
> Is it worth it to redo your system in a few weeks? You will need to
> reinstall all apps and restore data.
>
> Of course you will back up your data to an external device? This should
> be done regardless of installing a new OS.
>
> Some will say to do an upgrade, but you should always do a clean install
> when installing a new OS.
>
> It's up to you.
>
>
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

On Fri, 9 Oct 2009 17:30:21 -0400, "jmac" <jmac@comcast.net> wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> I would like to buy a new laptop. What are the pros/cons of buying now with
> a WinVista OS, and upgradingto Win 7 OS, over waiting a few weeks, and
> getting one with a Win 7 OS? <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->


Windows 7 will hit the market on October 22. That's not a few weeks,
but 13 days from now.

What version of Windows you should get is up to you, but if Windows 7
is what you want, it makes no sense not to wait the 13 days.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

 

"jmac" <jmac@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:uuXnudSSKHA.3912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>I would like to buy a new laptop. What are the pros/cons of buying now with
>a WinVista OS, and upgradingto Win 7 OS, over waiting a few weeks, and
>getting one with a Win 7 OS?
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
One nice thing is that you will have a disk instead of a restore partition.
Ted

 

I like Windows 7 but the sad fact is:
The 64 bit Win7 RC does not correctly install on most recent Intel based
Centrino 2 notebooks.
Several common motherboard components are not recognized and even diligently
searching down Win64 counterparts is not successful because those drivers do
not all recognize the Win7 OS under any circumstances.
Common issues include Bluetooth, IR, smart battery: all the modern features
particularly of higher end notebooks.
I presume Microsoft has solved these issues for the October 22 release or
there will be many hacked off buyers screaming Vista Redux, including moi.

 

"jmac" <jmac@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:uuXnudSSKHA.3912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>I would like to buy a new laptop. What are the pros/cons of buying now with
>a WinVista OS, and upgradingto Win 7 OS, over waiting a few weeks, and
>getting one with a Win 7 OS?
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

There are advantages either way. If you get the laptop
with Win 7 installed, all the correct drivers, etc., will
be installed. The negative is that, with an major OEM
system your will also be polluted with all the usual
preinstalled garbage.

If you buy the laptop now, with the free Win 7 upgrade,
you will get an actual MS Win 7 upgrade disk. Some
OEMs will also provide an additional disk containing all
the Win 7 drivers with the Win 7 upgrade. If you do a
clean Win 7 install, you will wipe all the garbage, and
have a fresh Win 7 install.

The disadvantage of the clean Win 7 install is that you
would have to make a Vista recovery disk first, because
if you ever had to reinstall Win 7, you would have to
restore the Vista installation in order to redo the upgrade.

 

"Ian D" <taurus@nowhereatall.com> wrote in message
news:OoqASGVSKHA.504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> The disadvantage of the clean Win 7 install is that you
> would have to make a Vista recovery disk first, because
> if you ever had to reinstall Win 7, you would have to
> restore the Vista installation in order to redo the upgrade.
>
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

I have a question along that line then. I recently bought a new Studio XPS,
that offered free W7. I signed up, and they will offer me a W7 disc free.
Now the laptop has asked me to make a restore disc but when I tried it would
not work with some blank DVD+RW discs so I have not done so. I was going to
buy a blank Blu-Ray and try that since it has a Blu-ray drive. Now the HD
has a partition with the OS on it, and it came with a restore disc with the
same. When the W-7 disc gets here if I install it, will it wipe out the
partition set aside for the Vista Premium on there?

 

On Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:29:56 -0700, Alex Clayton wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> "Ian D" <taurus@nowhereatall.com> wrote in message
> news:OoqASGVSKHA.504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
> <!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> The disadvantage of the clean Win 7 install is that you
>> would have to make a Vista recovery disk first, because
>> if you ever had to reinstall Win 7, you would have to
>> restore the Vista installation in order to redo the upgrade.
>>
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> I have a question along that line then. I recently bought a new Studio XPS,
> that offered free W7. I signed up, and they will offer me a W7 disc free.
> Now the laptop has asked me to make a restore disc but when I tried it would
> not work with some blank DVD+RW discs so I have not done so. I was going to
> buy a blank Blu-Ray and try that since it has a Blu-ray drive. Now the HD
> has a partition with the OS on it, and it came with a restore disc with the
> same. When the W-7 disc gets here if I install it, will it wipe out the
> partition set aside for the Vista Premium on there?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

I can't answer your questions, but I do suggest using DVD+R or -R, not RW.
And make sure it will work with a Blu-Ray disc - both for writing and for
booting - before relying on that.

Also, sometimes DVD+-RWs might require formatting before being written. It
depends on the program doing the writing.

--
Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom

 

"Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
news:6xwr6nvuu7md.18ktgvd8qrvzi.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> On Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:29:56 -0700, Alex Clayton wrote:
><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> "Ian D" <taurus@nowhereatall.com> wrote in message
>> news:OoqASGVSKHA.504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>><!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> The disadvantage of the clean Win 7 install is that you
>>> would have to make a Vista recovery disk first, because
>>> if you ever had to reinstall Win 7, you would have to
>>> restore the Vista installation in order to redo the upgrade.
>>>
>>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>> I have a question along that line then. I recently bought a new Studio
>> XPS,
>> that offered free W7. I signed up, and they will offer me a W7 disc free.
>> Now the laptop has asked me to make a restore disc but when I tried it
>> would
>> not work with some blank DVD+RW discs so I have not done so. I was going
>> to
>> buy a blank Blu-Ray and try that since it has a Blu-ray drive. Now the HD
>> has a partition with the OS on it, and it came with a restore disc with
>> the
>> same. When the W-7 disc gets here if I install it, will it wipe out the
>> partition set aside for the Vista Premium on there?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> I can't answer your questions, but I do suggest using DVD+R or -R, not RW.
> And make sure it will work with a Blu-Ray disc - both for writing and for
> booting - before relying on that.
>
> Also, sometimes DVD+-RWs might require formatting before being written. It
> depends on the program doing the writing.
>
> --
> Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom
>
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Ok the next time I get to Wally I will pick up a few DVD R's. and try them.
The package of RW's I have was from when I bought this HP. It also has a
partition, but came with no restore disc said to make your own, which is
what I did used 3 of the RW's and the rest of the package has been gathering
dust for a year. I did try formatting one in he new laptop to see, and it
still kept saying I was trying to use a DVD and needed a blank DVD or
Blu-Ray so I just gave up for now. The blank BR discs are quite a bit more
expensive , but it looks like it would all fit on one disc.

 

On Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:24:50 -0700, Alex Clayton wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> "Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
> news:6xwr6nvuu7md.18ktgvd8qrvzi.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> On Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:29:56 -0700, Alex Clayton wrote:
>><!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> "Ian D" <taurus@nowhereatall.com> wrote in message
>>> news:OoqASGVSKHA.504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>>
>>>
>>>> The disadvantage of the clean Win 7 install is that you
>>>> would have to make a Vista recovery disk first, because
>>>> if you ever had to reinstall Win 7, you would have to
>>>> restore the Vista installation in order to redo the upgrade.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> I have a question along that line then. I recently bought a new Studio
>>> XPS,
>>> that offered free W7. I signed up, and they will offer me a W7 disc free.
>>> Now the laptop has asked me to make a restore disc but when I tried it
>>> would
>>> not work with some blank DVD+RW discs so I have not done so. I was going
>>> to
>>> buy a blank Blu-Ray and try that since it has a Blu-ray drive. Now the HD
>>> has a partition with the OS on it, and it came with a restore disc with
>>> the
>>> same. When the W-7 disc gets here if I install it, will it wipe out the
>>> partition set aside for the Vista Premium on there?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>> I can't answer your questions, but I do suggest using DVD+R or -R, not RW.
>> And make sure it will work with a Blu-Ray disc - both for writing and for
>> booting - before relying on that.
>>
>> Also, sometimes DVD+-RWs might require formatting before being written. It
>> depends on the program doing the writing.
>>
>> --
>> Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom
>>
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> Ok the next time I get to Wally I will pick up a few DVD R's. and try them.
> The package of RW's I have was from when I bought this HP. It also has a
> partition, but came with no restore disc said to make your own, which is
> what I did used 3 of the RW's and the rest of the package has been gathering
> dust for a year. I did try formatting one in he new laptop to see, and it
> still kept saying I was trying to use a DVD and needed a blank DVD or
> Blu-Ray so I just gave up for now. The blank BR discs are quite a bit more
> expensive , but it looks like it would all fit on one disc.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Some computers, including HP, IIRC, only let you make the restore disk set
once. This seems Draconian and unnecessary to me :-(

Anyway, that is possibly your problem.

I reiterate: if you want to go the BR route, make sure the restore disk
program will let you make a BR disk, and make sure it can boot from that
restore disk.

OTOH, the message you cite makes it sound like:
1. It can do a BR disk
2. An RW disk needs to be formatted.

There are several choices for formatting optical disks, and you have to
pick the right one, but I can't help you there - I never use RWs any more.

--
Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom

 

"Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
news:zlr8kkby1g3.w5ojuhdfijc1$.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> On Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:24:50 -0700, Alex Clayton wrote:
><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> "Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
>> news:6xwr6nvuu7md.18ktgvd8qrvzi.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> On Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:29:56 -0700, Alex Clayton wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Ian D" <taurus@nowhereatall.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:OoqASGVSKHA.504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> The disadvantage of the clean Win 7 install is that you
>>>>> would have to make a Vista recovery disk first, because
>>>>> if you ever had to reinstall Win 7, you would have to
>>>>> restore the Vista installation in order to redo the upgrade.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I have a question along that line then. I recently bought a new Studio
>>>> XPS,
>>>> that offered free W7. I signed up, and they will offer me a W7 disc
>>>> free.
>>>> Now the laptop has asked me to make a restore disc but when I tried it
>>>> would
>>>> not work with some blank DVD+RW discs so I have not done so. I was
>>>> going
>>>> to
>>>> buy a blank Blu-Ray and try that since it has a Blu-ray drive. Now the
>>>> HD
>>>> has a partition with the OS on it, and it came with a restore disc with
>>>> the
>>>> same. When the W-7 disc gets here if I install it, will it wipe out the
>>>> partition set aside for the Vista Premium on there?
>>>
>>> I can't answer your questions, but I do suggest using DVD+R or -R, not
>>> RW.
>>> And make sure it will work with a Blu-Ray disc - both for writing and
>>> for
>>> booting - before relying on that.
>>>
>>> Also, sometimes DVD+-RWs might require formatting before being written.
>>> It
>>> depends on the program doing the writing.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom
>>>
>>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>> Ok the next time I get to Wally I will pick up a few DVD R's. and try
>> them.
>> The package of RW's I have was from when I bought this HP. It also has a
>> partition, but came with no restore disc said to make your own, which is
>> what I did used 3 of the RW's and the rest of the package has been
>> gathering
>> dust for a year. I did try formatting one in he new laptop to see, and it
>> still kept saying I was trying to use a DVD and needed a blank DVD or
>> Blu-Ray so I just gave up for now. The blank BR discs are quite a bit
>> more
>> expensive , but it looks like it would all fit on one disc.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> Some computers, including HP, IIRC, only let you make the restore disk set
> once. This seems Draconian and unnecessary to me :-(
>
> Anyway, that is possibly your problem.
>
> I reiterate: if you want to go the BR route, make sure the restore disk
> program will let you make a BR disk, and make sure it can boot from that
> restore disk.
>
> OTOH, the message you cite makes it sound like:
> 1. It can do a BR disk
> 2. An RW disk needs to be formatted.
>
> There are several choices for formatting optical disks, and you have to
> pick the right one, but I can't help you there - I never use RWs any more.
>
> --
> Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom
>
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
It's been over a year now, but I am pretty sure this HP did say I could only
do the recovery disks one time.
As to the new Dell, it has a BR player and was saying to use either a
blank one or DVD something, (can't remember now what it was saying), but how
do I find out that it can boot from the disk I make? If there is any
question I will just use some R's. They are cheap so it's no big deal if it
takes a few of them to do it. That's why I was not worried about the blank
+RW's. I have no use for them, but when I bought them the only package they
had was a 15 pack or something, so the rest have just sat on a shelf. If
it's safer I will just see if they have like a 5 pack of the +R's at the
store. If not I'm sure I can just order some. Since the Dell at least did
come with a disk I am not feeling I need to get it done right away on it
like I did when I bought this one that came without anything but the
partition.
Thanks. Most of this computer stuff is far beyond me. I learned only what I
needed and tend to never bother to learn all the ins and outs. <G>

 

That will depend on the PC manufacturer. When Vista first came out some
shipped upgrade disc sets that upgraded in place, others shipped destructive
"factory-restore" type disc sets that clean-installed Windows.

"Alex Clayton" <alexx1400@yahoo.com> wrote in message
newsJudnYok-5pJYU3XnZ2dnUVZ_oGdnZ2d@nventure.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> "Ian D" <taurus@nowhereatall.com> wrote in message
> news:OoqASGVSKHA.504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> The disadvantage of the clean Win 7 install is that you
>> would have to make a Vista recovery disk first, because
>> if you ever had to reinstall Win 7, you would have to
>> restore the Vista installation in order to redo the upgrade.
>>
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> I have a question along that line then. I recently bought a new Studio
> XPS, that offered free W7. I signed up, and they will offer me a W7 disc
> free. Now the laptop has asked me to make a restore disc but when I tried
> it would not work with some blank DVD+RW discs so I have not done so. I
> was going to buy a blank Blu-Ray and try that since it has a Blu-ray
> drive. Now the HD has a partition with the OS on it, and it came with a
> restore disc with the same. When the W-7 disc gets here if I install it,
> will it wipe out the partition set aside for the Vista Premium on there? <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

"Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:O7ZXOnlSKHA.4360@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> That will depend on the PC manufacturer. When Vista first came out some
> shipped upgrade disc sets that upgraded in place, others shipped
> destructive "factory-restore" type disc sets that clean-installed Windows.
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro--><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> I have a question along that line then. I recently bought a new Studio
>> XPS, that offered free W7. I signed up, and they will offer me a W7 disc
>> free. Now the laptop has asked me to make a restore disc but when I tried
>> it would not work with some blank DVD+RW discs so I have not done so. I
>> was going to buy a blank Blu-Ray and try that since it has a Blu-ray
>> drive. Now the HD has a partition with the OS on it, and it came with a
>> restore disc with the same. When the W-7 disc gets here if I install it,
>> will it wipe out the partition set aside for the Vista Premium on there?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Ok I'll wait till it gets here, and if it does not say I will try giving
them a call, although I hate doing that. It always takes forever to get
someone you can actually understand.

 

I think one of the most important points made in this thread was made
earlier by IanD 'The disadvantage of the clean Win 7 install is that
you
would have to make a Vista recovery disk first, because
if you ever had to reinstall Win 7, you would have to
restore the Vista installation in order to redo the upgrade.'
It should have considerable influence on when you buy your
laptop.mandy
HP


--
laptopfan76

 

On Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:21:41 -0700, Alex Clayton wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> "Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
> news:zlr8kkby1g3.w5ojuhdfijc1$.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> On Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:24:50 -0700, Alex Clayton wrote:
>><!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> "Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
>>> news:6xwr6nvuu7md.18ktgvd8qrvzi.dlg@40tude.net...
>>>> On Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:29:56 -0700, Alex Clayton wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> "Ian D" <taurus@nowhereatall.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:OoqASGVSKHA.504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> The disadvantage of the clean Win 7 install is that you
>>>>>> would have to make a Vista recovery disk first, because
>>>>>> if you ever had to reinstall Win 7, you would have to
>>>>>> restore the Vista installation in order to redo the upgrade.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I have a question along that line then. I recently bought a new Studio
>>>>> XPS,
>>>>> that offered free W7. I signed up, and they will offer me a W7 disc
>>>>> free.
>>>>> Now the laptop has asked me to make a restore disc but when I tried it
>>>>> would
>>>>> not work with some blank DVD+RW discs so I have not done so. I was
>>>>> going
>>>>> to
>>>>> buy a blank Blu-Ray and try that since it has a Blu-ray drive. Now the
>>>>> HD
>>>>> has a partition with the OS on it, and it came with a restore disc with
>>>>> the
>>>>> same. When the W-7 disc gets here if I install it, will it wipe out the
>>>>> partition set aside for the Vista Premium on there?
>>>>
>>>> I can't answer your questions, but I do suggest using DVD+R or -R, not
>>>> RW.
>>>> And make sure it will work with a Blu-Ray disc - both for writing and
>>>> for
>>>> booting - before relying on that.
>>>>
>>>> Also, sometimes DVD+-RWs might require formatting before being written.
>>>> It
>>>> depends on the program doing the writing.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Ok the next time I get to Wally I will pick up a few DVD R's. and try
>>> them.
>>> The package of RW's I have was from when I bought this HP. It also has a
>>> partition, but came with no restore disc said to make your own, which is
>>> what I did used 3 of the RW's and the rest of the package has been
>>> gathering
>>> dust for a year. I did try formatting one in he new laptop to see, and it
>>> still kept saying I was trying to use a DVD and needed a blank DVD or
>>> Blu-Ray so I just gave up for now. The blank BR discs are quite a bit
>>> more
>>> expensive , but it looks like it would all fit on one disc.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>> Some computers, including HP, IIRC, only let you make the restore disk set
>> once. This seems Draconian and unnecessary to me :-(
>>
>> Anyway, that is possibly your problem.
>>
>> I reiterate: if you want to go the BR route, make sure the restore disk
>> program will let you make a BR disk, and make sure it can boot from that
>> restore disk.
>>
>> OTOH, the message you cite makes it sound like:
>> 1. It can do a BR disk
>> 2. An RW disk needs to be formatted.
>>
>> There are several choices for formatting optical disks, and you have to
>> pick the right one, but I can't help you there - I never use RWs any more.
>>
>> --
>> Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom
>>
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
> It's been over a year now, but I am pretty sure this HP did say I could only
> do the recovery disks one time.
> As to the new Dell, it has a BR player and was saying to use either a
> blank one or DVD something, (can't remember now what it was saying), but how
> do I find out that it can boot from the disk I make? If there is any
> question I will just use some R's. They are cheap so it's no big deal if it
> takes a few of them to do it. That's why I was not worried about the blank
> +RW's. I have no use for them, but when I bought them the only package they
> had was a 15 pack or something, so the rest have just sat on a shelf. If
> it's safer I will just see if they have like a 5 pack of the +R's at the
> store. If not I'm sure I can just order some. Since the Dell at least did
> come with a disk I am not feeling I need to get it done right away on it
> like I did when I bought this one that came without anything but the
> partition.
> Thanks. Most of this computer stuff is far beyond me. I learned only what I
> needed and tend to never bother to learn all the ins and outs. <G><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

I did forget in my replies that you weren't the OP, so there's a bit of
confusion.

The way you find out if a disk will boot is to try to boot from it. Or read
the computer's docs, on the computer on or the manufacturer's site..
Presumably, if you can't boot from a BR, the Dell won't let you make one -
we can hope...

I will reiterate this: I don't recommend using RWs for this purpose,
because of the formatting confusion. I'll add this, too - I have had
problems with the dependability of RWs, where they lose data. Also, it is
possible to rewrite an RW before you remember that you didn't want to
rewrite *that* one

--
Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom