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ToshibaSatellite

Restoring Windows 7 on Toshiba Satellite (RB)

2015-07-07

This machine is a 64-bit dual-processor system, with a Recovery Partition that restores the system to a factory-fresh out-of-the-box configuation. This process sounds easy, but with my desired configuration, it turns out to be frustratingly aggravating. Nevertheless, here are the steps I took (after two prior, unsuccessful attempts) to rebuild the system from the ground up:

  1. Restore Windows 7 -- This can be done in one of two ways:
    • Recover from hidden disk partition
      1. Power off system completely
      2. Press and hold the '0' key on keypad
      3. Power on system
      4. Select something like Restore System
    • Restore from previously user-made DVDs (4 discs)
      1. Power off system completely
      2. Insert DVD 1 from recovery set
      3. Power on system
    • NOTE: Restoring the HDD takes about 30 minutes
  2. After the restore and first power-up (which installs all the drivers, etc., and takes another 2 hours) configure the system
    • create new user 'admin'
    • name system 'Satellite'
    • use 'AppleRidge' as workgroup
    • choose Win 7 basic theme
    • choose small desktop icons
    • create c:\DropZone
    • etc.
  3. Take ownership of c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts file
    • open explorer
    • navigate to c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc
    • right click 'hosts'
    • under Advanced change ownership to Administrators (admin belongs to this group)
    • confirm rights/privileges are valid
  4. Dial down the alert system to 'no alerts' using control panel
  5. Copy SystartNT.lnk from \\focalor\dropzone\sysstart
    • click start orb
    • right-click All Programs -> Open
    • navigate to Start Menu -> Startup
    • copy SysStartNT.lnk to Startup folder
    • set properties on SysStartNT.lnk (right-click)
      • Run as Administrator
      • Run minimized
  6. Create shortcut from c:\windows\system32\taskmgr.exe in Startup (see previous)
  7. Install Symantec SVS
    • install \\focalor\dropzone\svs\svs_installer\SWV_6.4.1264.0_SP7_x64.exe accepting defaults
    • configure global exclusion of c:\DropZone
  8. Install programs (SVS archives)
    • Reset all layers once installed
    • SVS_6.4.1264\Opera 12.16 x64 Win7.xpf
    • SVS_2.1\WordPerfect Office 2000.vsa
    • SVS_2.1.2048\Foxit Reader 4.3.1.vsa
    • SVS_2.1.3062\LibreOffice 3.5.6.vsa
    • SVS_2.1.3062\Thunderbird 1.5.vsa
      • restore prefs/account config
        • <owner's email dir>/prefs.js to <PEERlayer>/AppData/Thunderbird/profiles/xxx/