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6 System Recovery

System Recovery completely erases and reformats the hard drive, deleting all data files you have created, and then reinstalls the operating system, programs, and drivers that were installed at the factory. Therefore, you must manually reinstall any software that was installed after the computer left the factory.

NOTE: Always use the System Restore procedure before you use the System Recovery program.

See “Microsoft System Restore,” under

Software troubleshooting on page 14

.

Some features might not be available on systems that are shipped without a version of Microsoft

Windows.

Choosing a system recovery method

You must choose one of the following methods to perform a system recovery:

● Recovery Image—Run System Recovery from a recovery image stored on your hard drive. The recovery image is a file that contains a copy of the original factory-shipped software. To perform

a System Recovery from a recovery image, see System recovery from the Windows Start screen on page 16

NOTE: The recovery image uses a portion of the hard drive that cannot be used for data storage.

● Recovery Media—Run System Recovery from recovery media that you create from files stored on your hard drive or purchased separately. To create recovery media, see

Creating recovery media on page 18 .

System recovery options

You should attempt a system recovery in the following order:

1.

Through the hard drive, from the Windows Start screen.

2.

Through the hard drive, by pressing f11 system startup.

3.

Through recovery media that you create.

4.

Through recovery discs purchased from HP. To purchase recovery discs, go to http://www.hp.com/go/contactHP .

System recovery from the Windows Start screen

CAUTION: System Recovery deletes all data and programs you have created or installed. Back up any important data to a removable disc or USB flash drive.

If the computer is working and Windows is responding, use these steps to perform a system recovery:

1.

Turn off the computer.

2.

Disconnect all peripheral devices from the computer except the monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

3.

Turn on the computer.

16 Chapter 6 System Recovery

4.

From the Start screen, type recovery, and then select HP Recovery Manager. If prompted, click Yes to allow the program to continue.

5.

Select Windows Recovery Environment.

6.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

NOTE: If your system does not detect a recovery partition, it prompts you to insert recovery media. Insert the disc or USB flash drive, select Yes, and then click Next to restart the computer and run HP Recovery Manager from the recovery disc or USB flash drive. If using discs, insert the next system recovery disc when prompted.

7.

When the recovery is complete, turn off the computer, reconnect all peripheral devices, and turn the computer back on.

System recovery at system startup

CAUTION: System Recovery deletes all data and programs you have created or installed. Back up any important data to a removable disc or USB flash drive.

If Windows is not responding, but the computer is working, follow these steps to perform a system recovery:

1.

Turn off the computer. If necessary, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off.

2.

Disconnect all peripheral devices from the computer except the monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

3.

Press the power button to turn on the computer.

4.

As soon as you see the initial company logo screen appear, repeatedly press f11 until the

Windows is Loading Files message appears on the screen.

5.

Select Windows Recovery Environment.

6.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

7.

When the recovery is complete, turn off the computer, reconnect all peripheral devices, and then turn the computer back on.

System recovery from recovery media

CAUTION: System Recovery deletes all data and programs you have created or installed. Back up any important data to a removable disc or USB flash drive.

To create recovery media, see

Creating recovery media on page 18 .

To perform a system recovery using recovery media:

1.

If the computer is working, create a backup DVD or backup USB flash drive containing all the data files you want to save, and then remove the backup media from the computer.

2.

If using recovery DVDs, insert recovery disc #1 into the DVD drive tray, and then close the tray.

If you are using a recovery USB flash drive, insert the flash drive into a USB port.

3.

If the computer works, from the Start screen, move your cursor to the lower-right corner of the screen to display the charms toolbar, select Settings, select the Power icon, and then select

Shut down. Or, if the computer is not responding, press and hold the power button for approximately 5 seconds, or until the computer turns off.

4.

Disconnect all peripheral devices from the computer except the monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

System recovery options 17

5.

Press the power button to turn on the computer. If you are using a recovery DVD, the computer automatically runs HP Recovery Manager from the disc. Skip to step 7.

6.

If you are running System Recovery from a USB flash drive, press esc as the computer is powering on to bring up the boot menu. Use the arrow keys to select the USB device, and then press enter to start from that device.

7.

If you are prompted to choose between running System Recovery from media or from the hard drive, select media, and then click Next.

8.

Select Factory Reset.

9.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Recovery media

Recovery media can be created on either blank DVDs or a USB flash drive (one or the other, but not both). Create recovery media from the recovery image stored on your hard drive. This image contains the operating system and software program files that were originally installed on your computer at the factory. You can create only one set of recovery media for your computer, and the media can be used only with this computer. Store the recovery media in a safe place.

NOTE: Some features might not be available on systems that are shipped without a version of

Microsoft Windows.

Choosing recovery media

● To create recovery discs, your computer must have a DVD writer, and you must use only highquality blank DVD+R or DVD-R discs.

NOTE: You cannot use CDs or DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW DL, DVD-RW DL, DVD+R DL, or DVD-R DL discs to create recovery discs.

● If you are creating recovery discs, be sure to use high-quality discs to create your set of recovery discs. It is normal for discs to be rejected if they are not defect-free. You will be prompted to insert a new blank disc to try again.

● The number of discs in the recovery-disc set depends on your computer model (typically one to three DVDs). The Recovery Disc Creator program will tell you the specific number of blank discs needed to make the set.

● You may choose to create a recovery USB flash drive instead, using a high-quality blank USB flash drive. If you are using a USB flash drive, the program will tell you the size of the drive required to store all the data (minimum of 8 GB).

NOTE: The process of creating recovery media takes some time to verify that the information written on the media is correct. You can quit the process at any time. The next time you run the program, it will resume where it left off.

Creating recovery media

To create recovery discs:

1.

Close all open programs.

2.

From the Start screen, type recovery, and then select HP Recovery Manager. If prompted, click Yes to allow the program to continue.

18 Chapter 6 System Recovery

3.

Select Recovery Media Creation, select Create recovery media using blank DVD(s), and then select Next.

4.

Follow the on-screen instructions. Label each disc as you make it (for example, Recovery 1,

Recovery 2).

To create a recovery USB flash drive:

1.

Close all open programs.

2.

Connect the USB flash drive to a USB port on the computer.

3.

From the Start screen, type recovery, and then select HP Recovery Manager. If prompted, click Yes to allow the program to continue.

4.

Select Recovery Media Creation, select Create recovery media with a USB flash drive, and then select Next.

5.

Select the USB flash drive from the list of media. The program lets you know how much storage is required to create the recovery drive. If the USB flash drive does not have enough storage capacity (8 GB is the minimum), it is grayed out on the screen and you cannot continue. Click

Next.

NOTE: Recovery Media Creation formats the flash drive and deletes all files on it.

6.

Follow the on-screen instructions. Be sure to label the USB flash drive and store it in a secure place.

NOTE: Do not use media cards for creating recovery media. The system may not be able to start from a media card and you may not be able to run System Recovery.

Recovery media 19