Win 8 recovery WARNING

Question

Lenovo ideapad systems using win8 has recovery issues if you change partitions, sizes or replace the hdd/sdd.
Win 8 systems have two ostensible options for creating system backup flash drives.
1. The standard Windows 8 option (control panel -> recovery) doesn't work with Lenovo systems - which does cause confusion.
2. The Lenovo backup solution does not work if you resize partitions, delete the Recovery partition, or if you replace the hdd/sdd for any reason.
3. The only option in the latter case is to call lenovo for back up disks around $50/£30 ( or go out and buy another copy of Win 8 - or win 7 if you don't like 8!).
Since hdds/sdds have a limited life, and are one of the more common reasons for system failure, it seems very odd to me that Lenovo's recovery solution is TOTALLY inadequate when it comes to this.
In the UK there is a case for Sale of Goods act, but this takes time, and probably no good if you need your system back in a rush.
I would suggest that Lenovo needs to review this process and come up with something that does what it says on the box, no ifs or buts.

Answer 1

    That's why most knowledgeable computer owners, invest in a reliable external hard drive, to handle their weekly/monthly backup.
     If you want to replace a failed internal drive, you should create a system image to the external backup drive, upon setting up the computer for the first time. That system image can be used to replace/restore the factory shipped state of the failed drive.
      http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8956-system-image-create-windows-8-a.html
     Then set up the File History to backup the files as you use them, and do a full system backup weekly/monthly.
     This multi-backup strategy will protect you in case of a internal hard drive failure.
     Lenovo's OKR software is geared for the most inexperienced computer owner, so if they messed up their system by deleting some of the required Lenovo programs, or by installing incompatible programs that borks the Lenovo software, they can restore the system to it's factory shipped state. It does not replace a complete daily/weekly/monthly backup strategy.
    No review is necessary. The OKR does do "what it says on the box" as long as the user leaves the recovery partition alone. If you want to "upgrade" your system to a larger HDD, or SSD, you need to follow the known methods for doing so. That includes, but is not limited to, creating a system image of the shipped drive, and a complete backup to an external recovery source, before you crack the back cover off.
Cheers
DragonRider
I'm DO'ing IT
Lenovo Y470 085525U 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM processor ( 2.00GHz 1333MHz 6MB )
IdeaCentre A520 Intel® Core™ i5-3230M processor ( 2.60GHz 2600MHz 3MB )
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