BleepingComputer.com: Recovery Disk & Drivers

I was at future shop with my friend the other day (he was looking for a laptop) and we started talking about recovery disks...the salesperson said he should pay to have the technician create a recovery disk, and that if you burn your own recovery disk, this won't back up the drivers on the computer. That sounds odd to me... is it true?

Pure, unadulterated claptrap. Here is a quick rundown of brands here in the US:

HP/Compaq Recovery disk Utility includes everything.
EMachine/Gateway Comes with OS CD, You must make Driver and Application DVD.
Sony Makes Everything.
Acer Makes Everything
Toshiba Comes with Recovery Discs.

I just bought a toshiba. I dont remember seeing a recovery disk in the box ??

btw I am in Canada, not the States.

Every toshiba I have ever seen comes with this disc. It is in a jewel case, and is shrink wrapped with books, all in a very neat little package. Also, you can check the packing list. If you don't have it, call Toshiba.

when i was there yesterday, they said that laptops dont come with recovery disks anymore (i suppose its just another way to make money). But either way, if I wanted to buy my own dvd and burn a recovery disk, would this back up all of the drivers as well?

Most laptops do not, however any laptop that does not include recovery dvds has a utility to burn them. It normally takes 1 to 4 DVDs for single layer discs, and one or two dual layer discs. Everything is placed on the discs. Windows, All Drivers, all applications that came with the new laptop. They are setup so that you can boot from the disc and reload everything that was preloaded at the factory.

OK, that is what I thought. This futureshop salesperson told us otherwise, and it didn't sound right to me.
Thank you for your help.

Just remember, that a salesperson is like a liar barrister.

Is there anywhere where I can download these drivers and burn them to a cd to reload them myself? I have tried the Toshiba website but I had no luck.

There are some torrent sites that have the x86 and 64 recovery disks for ppl that never had a recovery CD or repair options for their vista. Try to find it I use it and it's perfect!

For some brands you have to make a set of discs yourself and for those brands the store uses exactly the same method you would if you were to take it home and do it. Whether or not you should have the store make these discs for you is up to you, but its not hard at all and just takes a little time. Most computers bug you about doing it pretty quick after you power on after the first time. As for this particular instance the store is trying to bully you into buying an addon.

Point of interest: Retail stores have a negative profit margin on most laptop and desktop sales. To counteract this they have to push you into buying extras. Some are good, like a laptop bag or a pack of DVDs. Some are only useful if you are a complete computer novice with no desire to learn, like making discs. The thing is most stores like BestBuy and their ilk have the services section because its almost 100% profit for a service and counteracts the money they loose on the computer sale. I would tell them you are going to have the closet competitor do it because a salesman lied to you, then save the money and do it yourself.

Just out of curiosity, how much were they trying to beat out of you for the discs?

What about things like music and photos? Those aren't counted in the backup discs made are they? I take it it's advisable to back those up somehow just in case though...

If you ever need to back up any drivers on your computer, I recommend Double Driver, I've been using it for years. Just install the program, run it, save the output file to a USB stick or CD, and on your (hypothetically) reformatted system, install it again, and load the drivers from wherever you saved it, and you'll be good to go.

Here's the link: http://www.boozet.org/dd.htm

Suspicious url name noted, here's the Lifehacker overview of it if your concerned: http://lifehacker.com/399097/double-driver...systems-drivers