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Creating the Recovery Disc Set in Windows Vista

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This document pertains to HP or Compaq Desktop computers with Windows Vista.
With the Recovery Disc Creation program, create a set of recovery discs to restore your computer to its original condition in case of a major problem with your computer.
It is strongly recommended that you create a recovery disc set soon after acquiring your computer. If your HP or Compaq desktop computer with Windows Vista does not have the HP Recovery CD Creator software or if recovery CDs were not created before the recovery partition was damaged or erased, you will need to find a set of recovery discs that matches your model number from the Internet or install a new operating system.
Recovery Disc Creation software can be used to make only one set of recovery discs for the computer. The recovery CD set contains a complete set of the original operating system, drivers, and application software that shipped with the computer.
Features and important information
The following is a list of features and important information about the Recovery Disc Creation program:
  • Recovery Disc Creation software creates a set of system recovery discs using blank, writable CDs or DVDs. HP recommends using blank DVD+R discs (if supported). Use a name-brand label from a manufacturer you trust, as these recovery CDs/DVDs are very important. You need approximately 2 blank DVD+R discs (compared to approximately blank 11 CDs). The Disc Creator software program states how many discs are needed at the beginning of the process.
    NOTE: Mini-discs are not compatible with the Recovery Disc Creation program.
  • The Disc Creation software program allows only one complete set of discs to be created.
  • Temporarily disable Windows User Account Control if User Account Control is enabled. Doing so decreases the chances of encountering problems during disc creation.
  • The Disc Creation software program requires an uncorrupted recovery partition (Recovery D:) to create a set of discs. Uncorrupted means the recovery partition has not been modified or removed.
  • The creation process takes about 30 minutes per DVD. The entire recovery set does not need to be created in one session.
  • The Disc Creation software can be aborted at any time, except during the writing (burning) process, by clicking the Abort button. The next time the Disc Creation software program is run, it automatically starts where it last stopped.
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Creating recovery discs from Windows
Complete the following steps to create the recovery disc set:
NOTE: Use DVD+R discs if your disc drive supports it. Some versions of Recovery CD-DVD Creator do not work with certain discs (for example, CD-R CD-RW, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW). Mini-discs are not compatible with Recovery CD-DVD Creator.
NOTE: If drive encryption software is running while creating discs, file verification errors can occur. If you are using drive encyption software, such as bitlocker, disable drive encryption before creating your discs.
  1. Disconnect from the Internet and close all other software.
    Creating recovery discs is a resource-intensive process.
  2. Click Start , and then All Programs .
  3. Click PC Help & Tools and then Recovery Disc Creation to start the program.
    A Welcome screen opens.
    Figure 1: Recovery Manager Welcome window
    Recovery Manager Welcome window
  4. Click the Next button on each screen to start the disc creation process.
    A window opens listing the number of blank discs required to make a complete recovery set.
    NOTE: Mini-discs are not compatible with the Recovery Disc Creation program.
    Figure 2: Number of discs needed message
    Number of discs needed message
  5. Number your discs with a permanent marker, in case you need to use them for a system recovery.
    For example, if you are using 10 CDs, mark each 1 of 10 , 2 of 10 , 3 of 10 , and so forth. If you are using DVDs, mark the first 1 of 2 and the second 2 of 2 .
  6. Enable the Next button by inserting the first blank disc and closing the disc tray. Click Next to continue.
    NOTE: At the start of the disc creation process, if the following AutoPlay message displays, close it (click on the x in the upper-right corner). This message has nothing to do with creating recovery discs.
    Figure 3: AutoPlay message
    AutoPlay message
    A verification window opens, showing the disc type chosen and the number of discs needed.
    Figure 4: Disc verification window
    Disc verification window
  7. Click Next .
    The Recovery Manager Process screen opens. While this screen is viewable, several processes are taking place:
    • Collecting files - The program collects needed files from the recovery partition.
    • Writing files onto disc - The program burns the first disc.
    • Verifying CD or DVD contents - The program verifies the contents of each disc.
      Figure 5: Recovery Manager process screen
      Recovery Manager process screen
    NOTE: If the disc creation process cancels automatically while collecting files, temporarily disable Windows User Account Control .
    CAUTION: Cancelling the write process in the middle might result in a corrupted and unusable disc. Before cancelling, wait until the disc has completed its write and verification process and prompts for the next disc.
  8. Wait for a message stating disc creation was successful.
    Figure 6: Disc creation successful message
    Disc creation successful message
  9. The disc tray opens automatically. If you have not done so, mark it 1 of _ (the total number of discs) with a permanent marker.
  10. Mark the next disc 2 of _ , and insert it into the disc tray.
    NOTE: The AutoPlay message might display on the desktop. If it does, close it by clicking on the x in the upper-right corner. This message has nothing to do with creating recovery discs.
    The same process begins for Disc 2 and subsequent discs, if they are required. With the successful burning of each disc, a disc creation successful message is opened and the disc tray automatically opens allowing you to retrieve the disc.
    Continue creating discs until you see the following message.
    Figure 7: System Recovery Discs Creation complete message
    Disc creation complete message
  11. Click Finish .
  12. Be sure all discs are marked appropriately, and save them in a safe place.
    CAUTION: It is important to protect the discs that you created. Store these discs in a safe dark place. Do not store discs in areas that receive sunlight as data on the discs might be lost over time.
  13. If the Recovery Disc Creation program is started again after a complete set of recovery discs has been made, another screen displays stating only one recovery set is allowed. The only choice is to click OK and exit the program. If the recovery disc set is incomplete or damaged and this message opens, use another method to obtain new discs. See Obtaining Recovery Discs (Asia, North America, and South America) or Obtaining Recovery Discs (Europe, Middle East, Africa) .
    Figure 8: Disc creation denial message
    Disc creation denial message
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Resolving disc verification failures
When a disc is ejected and a disc verification error message displays, the disc burn on that disc is bad. Do NOT exit from the system recovery disc process. Instead, insert another disc to complete the disc creation process. If the error occurs again, use a different brand of writeable disc.
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Additional questions and answers
QUESTION : I cannot create more than one set of recovery discs. Why?
ANSWER : Because of licensing agreements with Microsoft, the recovery disc creator software program creates only one recovery disc set.
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QUESTION : At the start of the disc creation process, an AutoPlay window opens. What should I do?
Figure 9: AutoPlay message
AutoPlay message
ANSWER : Close the AutoPlay window by clicking the close (x ) button at the top right. The AutoPlay message is related to Windows and not recovery disc creation software.
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QUESTION : What should be done when an error opens during the disc burning process?
ANSWER : A failure might be due to bad or poor quality media. Try writing to another disc from a different manufacturer.
The following message might indicate the disc you are using already has data on it. Verify you are using blank discs.
Figure 10: Disc error message
Disc error message
The following message might indicate the disc you are using is different from the disc type you started the process with. Verify all your media is the same type.
Figure 11: Disc type error message
Disc type error message
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QUESTION : A friend's computer has a bad hard drive and is not bootable. We have the identical computer model. Can I make a set of recovery discs on my computer and loan the recovery discs to my colleague?
ANSWER : Yes, this is possible, but both computers will not be able to create a recovery disc set. That is, both computers must share the same set of discs or another set of discs should be ordered from HP (if they are in stock).
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QUESTION : Can the same set of recovery discs be used on any other computer model?
ANSWER : No, the recovery discs created on a particular computer can only be used on that same model computer.
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QUESTION : Why are rewritable discs unable to be used when making recovery discs?
ANSWER : You can only create one set of recovery discs. Since data on RW type media can be overwritten, this type of media is not supported to help prevent the accidental destruction of the recovery disc set.
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