How to make a recovery disc for Medion PC - Windows 8.1?

spookylukey

I bought a new PC a few months ago, a Medion Akoya E2049, 4GB memory, 1TB hardrive, i3-4160 processor, running Windows 8.1

When it arrived it came with no manual (only a quick start guide) and no recovery disc. I emailed them and they replied

We no longer provide recovery discs with our machines as there is a preloaded factory reset in a recovery partition on the hard drive. If you could please provide a MSN number or MD number i will see if i can find a manual for the unit of which to send you.

They then sent me a manual which the only relevant section seems to be as quoted below, I'm not sure this is what I need though? Any simple/recommended ways to create a recovery disc please? Have I understood a recovery disc correctly in that it will re-instrall Windows if my system were ever to be corrupted beyond repair but it doesn't 'save' personal files/programs/data?

Exert from manual that I'm not sure applies to making a recovery diosc or not?!...

19.3.1. Running system restore
 After restarting, press the F11 key or start up the PC with the F11 key held down
to launch PowerRecover.
or
 Click the PowerRecover Windows® 8 desktop app to run the program from the
Windows® 8 desktop.
You will be offered 3 possible options:
− Burn drivers and tools on an optical disc
Create a support disc
− Refresh your PC without affecting your files
Update your PC without deleting your data.
− Restore
Choose between two recovery options:
● R estore to HDD – no backup of user data
All data on the PC will be permanently deleted.
The factory settings will be restored.
● R estore to HDD – with backed up user data
The factory settings will be restored and all user data under C:\USER will
be backed up.
PLEASE NOTE!
Always perform any type of recovery using mains power.
CAUTION!
The recovery process takes a long time when you select the
option to back up user data. Only the data located in the
folder C:\USER will be backed up. All other data will be deleted.
Therefore, always regularly carry out a data backup
onto an external data medium. We do not accept any liability
for claims for compensation arising from the loss of
data or any consequential damages incurred.

bod1467

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=windows+8.1+create+recovery+media

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/create-usb-recovery-drive

spookylukey

Thanks, I do have access to google I wasn't just been lazy, I wasn't clear if the instructions in the manual related to a recovery disc or something else! Also there is sooooo much information out there I didn't know if it matered what make of PC I had, or the processor etc which is why I asked on here giving the spec

The windows guide you linked to looks nice and generic, although having read the first section I'm not sure I need to make a disc as it should be stored on my PC already?

Your PC might have come with a recovery image that's used to refresh or reset your PC. The recovery image is stored on a dedicated recovery partition on your PC and is typically 3-6 GB in size. To save space on your PC, you can delete the recovery image from your PC and use a recovery drive instead. Windows 8.1 includes a built-in tool to create a USB recovery drive. Windows will let you know how big the recovery partition is, and you'll need a USB flash drive at least that big.

grumpycrab

spookylukey wrote: »

although having read the first section I'm not sure I need to make a disc as it should be stored on my PC already?

Including the "recovery partition" from your PC on the "recovery drive" is a belt and braces approach e.g. in the event that your disk blows up.