jingleman

Links very useful, thanks.

On a Windows 7 ISO note..... I have an Asus machine that, like may other manufacturers, doesn't come with any DVD media, everything is stored on a 'Recovery' partition.

However, unlike other manufacturers e.g. HP they do not provide you with a utility to back up this hidden Recovery partition to DVD. I have had a lengthy exchange of e-mails with Asus, but their final answer is they won't provide said utility

Obviously I now have a copy of Windows 7 OEM from above link, and I have my Microsoft licence number, but ideally I'd like to make DVDs so I could "restore to day 1".

My scenario is that just after warranty runs out, HDD fails, I buy and install a new one, but have no media from which to reinstall - not just Windows 7, but all the other stuff included by manufacturer. There is also another hidden partition with a 'boost' facility.

So, anyone know how of any freebie software that would copy the entire disk to enable a "restore to day 1", if required? I do have something from Paragon from a PC magazine, however the restore partition is more than the size of 1 DVD and the freebie's restriction is that is all it will allow.

I can't understand what the problem is with Asus providing one of the AI utilities, it does on other models running earlier O/S, but they flatly refuse to for Windows 7 machines (no idea why, they won't specify).

Hope someone can help.