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[Debs.]

Had a bout with some malware last night; the beast is slain, but not before it damaged my system files.

Having a Toshiba notebook (which, like many other cheapskate manufacturers) is without a Windows installation/repair DVD (or even a recovery partition), which makes it nigh-on impossible to easily repair the installation.

For others who are in a similar position ("up the creek" and without the Windows Discs); I found this legal download. It`s an 'official' Microsoft release (but hosted elsewhere) for the Windows Recovery CD (120 Mb. as an .iso file).....it`s hosted as a torrent which when downloaded using a client will require burning to CD, a slight "faff", but nothing beyond following the simple instructions on this download-page:

http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/download-windows-vista-x64-recovery-disc/

There are recovery CD versions for Vista 32 bit, Vista 64 bit and Win7.
I`ve tested and used my downloaded Vista 32 bit bootable CD and it worked a treat and I`m back up and running.
I think it`s well worth taking the time to download the appropriate version and keep it in the draw: "just in case".

*P.S: Thanks to Jimbob for sending in the 'Ruskies' to help with malware-slaying.

[Jimbob]

Yes, always good to keep recovery disks...

doesnt matter where they come from, if YOU have a valid serial, no problem.

glad the earlier advice helped 

[User]

Pressing the F8 key at startup would have given you the menu to create factory recovery discs, as well as restoring to factory default.

[Mr Skrunts]

Pressing the F8 key at startup would have given you the menu to create factory recovery discs, as well as restoring to factory default.

Would it be able to do that without any of the following.

Having a Toshiba notebook (which, like many other cheapskate manufacturers) is without a Windows installation/repair DVD (or even a recovery partition), which makes it nigh-on impossible to easily repair the installation.

[User]

Pressing the F8 key at startup would have given you the menu to create factory recovery discs, as well as restoring to factory default.

Would it be able to do that without any of the following.

All Toshiba computers (desktops, laptops, & netbooks) have a recovery partition that is accessible by pressing F8 at startup. However once the recovery/disc creation option has been invoked, it is then removed from the list of startup options (in other words, it is a one shot option).
By the same token, the option to create recovery discs/restore to factory default will always be there no matter how corrupt the system becomes until it is actually invoked.

[Debs.]

Pressing the F8 key at startup would have given you the menu to create factory recovery discs, as well as restoring to factory default.

Would it be able to do that without any of the following.

All Toshiba computers (desktops, laptops, & netbooks) have a recovery partition that is accessible by pressing F8 at startup. However once the recovery/disc creation option has been invoked, it is then removed from the list of startup options (in other words, it is a one shot option).
By the same token, the option to create recovery discs/restore to factory default will always be there no matter how corrupt the system becomes until it is actually invoked.

No recovery partition present, the F8 option to repair didn`t work and led only to a shutdown, the Windows 'repair' wouldn`t work either.
.....strange, as I`ve owned this notebook from new and not previously used the recovery partition/options on this machine. :-/

Never mind; the disc I downloaded sorted things well-enough.

[jereboam]

Slight digression: while waiting for my wife to finish her shopping in Sainsburys yesterday, I was looking at a laptop (box) they had on the shelf. 

It claimed to have Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit installed with Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit as a the recovery option.  Just what is that all about?

[User]

It claimed to have Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit installed with Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit as a the recovery option.  Just what is that all about?

The 64 bit version is installed as standard, and you need to create the recovery discs yourself using the provided utility. If you want the 32 bit version, then the DVD is already included.
If you intend to install the 32 bit version, you will need to create the 64 bit recovery disc set beforehand.