HP Recovery Disk: Setting Your PC Back to its Original Settings

Now, Hewlett Packard makes it easier for you to recover the original factory settings of your computer. This article will explain how to reset your HP Pavilion’s software. All important files stored in the hard drive might be lost, so make a back up of them. Data can be lost in the added hard drives, so unplug the cable of IDE before starting any process.

Some shipped HPs that have Microsoft Windows XP don’t come with the HP Recovery disk. What they use to retrieve the information are partitions in the hard drive. Some may prefer this feature, but others do not. Fortunately, you can have a HP recovery disk to help you at an affordable cost. You can shop and take a look at the HP website for more information about HP Recovery disks.

Recovering From Windows XP

First, make sure that all devices other than the preinstalled ones in the internals and peripherals are disconnected from the computer, excluding the keyboard, monitor, and mouse. Then, from the desktop of Windows XP, hit START, go to All Programs and then to HP Tools.

Next, click on the HP PC System Recovery. A question on the screen will ask you if you want to start the HP PC System Recovery. Hit Yes, then proceed. A Recover screen then appears; just click Next then hit Yes to make a non-destructive, totally normal recovery. If you opt doing destructive recovery, hit the Advanced button and then click on Yes.

Recovering Without Using Windows

Initially, make sure that all devices other than the preinstalled ones in the internals and peripherals are disconnected from the computer, excluding the keyboard, monitor, and mouse. Turn on your computer. Press F10 repeatedly when the blue screen appears, until the recovery menu shows.

Don’t be confused with the initially appearing progress indicator. This doesn’t show that the recovery is already taking place. Instead, it signifies the time prior to the process of recovery.

Once the Recovery screen appears, hit Next; click Yes to go with a non-destructive, normal recovery. If you opt performing destructive recovery, hit the Advanced then click on Yes. After the process is done, your computer should start successfully.

Recovering Using The HP Recovery Discs

Prior to starting, don’t insert any disks into the Pavilion. Make sure that all internal devices and peripherals are disconnected from the computer, excluding the keyboard, monitor, and mouse. Switch on the computer and press F1 just as the logo screen shows.

Using the arrow keys, go to Boot, then press down arrow to highlight Boot Device Priority. Don’t forget where the CD-ROM is. Hit Enter then go to CD-ROM drive. Next, press Plus (+) until it is on the list’s top.

This is when you will insert the HP recovery disk in the CD-ROM drive. Hit enter to store your settings and you exit. Another recovery screen comes out. Respond and read each screen that shows. Don’t press OK when changing HP recovery disks; wait until the drive operates. It will read the disk and continue with the recovery.

Once it is complete, restore the CD-ROM boot-device priority to its original setting. Follow the initial steps until the CD-ROM drive is highlighted, instead of Plus (+), press the Minus (-) until the CD-ROM is in its original location. Click Enter then exit.