PrintThis document pertains to HP Notebook PCs with Windows Vista.
Things to do immediately after recovering the Windows operating system
When you perform a system recovery using recovery discs that you created, or replacement disc you ordered from HP, the computer will be returned to the original operating system that was installed on the computer. After performing a system recovery, the computer is vulnerable to attack by viruses and malicious software. To protect the newly recovered computer, immediately take the following actions.
- Disconnect all network connections and complete the initial computer set up.
- Setup a firewall and security protection.
- Connect the computer to the internet, and update all of your software and drivers.
If the computer is recovered to Windows Vista, perform the tasks described in the sections below to ensure that your computer is properly updated and secure.
If the computer is recovered to Windows XP, but will be upgraded to Windows Vista, see
HP Notebook PCs - Things To Do After Performing a System Recovery in Windows XP
before you perform the upgrade process.
Disconnect all network connections and complete the initial setup
A newly recovered computer has no security protection. Disconnect the ethernet cable, and turn off the wireless connection. Do not connect the computer to a network or directly to the internet until you have set up a firewall and enabled some internet security program.
After performing a system recovery, the setup files for factory programs are recovered to the hard disc, but they need to be unbundled and installed. A series of PC setup screens prompt you for information on location, language, and user preferences. It may take 40 minutes or more to complete the setup process. The setup process is not complete until you are prompted to logon to Windows with a user name and password. Do not manually restart the computer during this process.
If the computer is restarted, another system recovery will be needed before Windows can be used.
Do not connect any printers, cameras, scanners, or any other non-essential peripheral devices until you have completed the actions covered in this document. Do not attempt to install any extra software until the setup has finished. The only devices that should be connected are the keyboard, mouse and monitor. All USB storage devices and HP Personal and Pocket Media drives should be removed from their sockets during system recovery and the setup process.
CAUTION:If the PC is using a broadband Internet connection, do not connect the network cable (or broadband modem)
. The computer is susceptible to security threats during this critical time period.
After the initial PC setup is complete and you are prompted to logon to the computer, proceed to the next section.
Setting up a firewall and internet security
To protect the computer from security threats, you should set up a firewall program and an internet security program before connecting to the internet. You should use the built-in Windows Firewall, or you can install a third party firewall from a CD/DVD. You should also setup some type of internet security software, such as the preinstalled trial version
of Norton Internet Security program.
When you have successfully set up Windows Firewall, proceed to the Connecting to the Internet
section and follow the steps to continue with the post-recovery setup process.
Set up Windows Vista firewall
When using Windows Vista firewall, to avoid conflicts, do not enable another firewall. For Windows Vista, follow the steps below:
- Disconnect the network and modem cable if they are attached to the computer.Only the power cord, monitor, mouse, and keyboard should be connected.
- Click Start , Control Panel , System and Security , Windows Firewall .
- Under Windows Firewall , on the left-side column, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off .
- Select Turn on Windows Firewall in each category. Click OK to save your settings.
- After the firewall is enabled, connect the network or modem cable.
Set up Microsoft Firewall
When using Microsoft Firewall, to avoid conflicts, do not enable another firewall.
To automatically enable Microsoft Firewall, click the Microsoft Fix it Solution:
To manually enable Microsoft Firewall, follow the steps below:
- Disconnect the network and modem cable if they are attached to the computer.Only the power cord, monitor, mouse, and keyboard should be connected.
- Click Start , Control Panel , Security .
- Under Windows Security , click Turn Windows Firewall on or off , and then click the On radio button. The Firewall indicator should be green.
- To ensure Windows Firewall is enabled, click Start , and type security center in the Start Search field. The Firewall indicator should be green and show a status of On.
- After the firewall is enabled, connect the network or modem cable.
Setup Internet Security
Your computer may have come with a trial subscription to Norton Internet Security. If so, and if you would like to use this firewall, verify the service has been activated by opening the desktop icon and responding to the setup screens. Do not browse the internet or use e-mail until you have setup the firewall.
Once Norton Internet Security has been initially configured, ensure that the firewall is active by following the steps below:
NOTE:If Norton Internet Security is being used, to avoid conflicts, do not enable the Windows firewall at the same time.
- Disconnect the network and modem cable if they are attached to the computer.Only the power cord, monitor, mouse, and keyboard should be connected.
- Click the Norton Internet Security icon
in the taskbar.
- In the main Norton window, click the Norton Internet Security , Settings , Personal Firewall .
- Click Turn On .
After configuring the firewall, to ensure that it is enabled, click Start
, and type security center
in the search field. The firewall indicator should be green and show a status of On.
You have successfully set up Norton Internet Security. Proceed to the Connecting to the Internet
section and follow the steps to continue with the post-recovery set up process.
Download and install ethernet driver from another PC if needed
If the computer's operating system was restored using a non-HP image, the ethernet chipset may not be active and the computer cannot connect to a network or the internet. HP notebook computers require the installation of an HP-specific ethernet or network connection driver. Using an alternate (extra) computer, do the following to download the latest version of the HP CPU chipset driver and/or ethernet connection driver, and copy it to the restored computer.
- Verify the alternate computer has an active firewall and internet security protection before connecting to the internet.
- Go to the HP Software and Drivers download page , and enter the model number or product number of the restored computer.
- Select the CPU chipset or ethernet drivers specified for the operating system on the recovered computer.
- Select the options to Download or Save the files to a known location on the alternate computer; for instance C:\Desktop\<FileName> .
WARNING:Do not select RUN . Selecting Run will install the driver on the computer that is connected to the network, and will cause performance problems. - After the driver is downloaded, use a thumb drive or portable drive to copy the ethernet or network driver to the recovered computer.
- Install the ethernet or network driver and then connect the restored computer to the internet.
The recovered computer should now connect to the network or internet. Continue to the following sections for information on installing updated Microsoft Windows drivers
, HP drivers
, and update the antivirus or internet security
software.
Update Windows Vista
Make sure that the automatic Windows Update feature is turned on, and that the latest critical updates from Microsoft are installed. Follow the instructions to download and install all critical updates from Microsoft.
After all critical updates are installed, ensure that Automatic Update (for Windows Updates) is enabled as follows:
- Click Start , enter update in the search field, and select Windows Update from the list.
- On the Windows Update window, click Check for updates , and allow Windows to install all updated drivers and software.
- On the Windows Update window, click Change settings .
- If prompted, select Turn automatic updating on or off .
- In the Change settings window, select the Install updates automatically option, and select a Day and Time for the action.
- Click OK to accept the values.
You have successfully downloaded and installed Windows updates, and ensured that future updates will be downloaded automatically. Proceed to the next section to continue with the post-recovery set up process.
Update security software
Using the self-updating feature of the security software included in the system, set up the software to perform a regularly scheduled scan for malicious software. The self-updating feature ensures that the computer has the latest protection against such security threats as viruses and spyware.
- When used, Windows Defender automatically performs an update before scanning. In Windows Defender, select Tools to schedule updates.
- When used, Norton Internet Security, select Run LiveUpdate to check for updates. In Norton, select Settings to configure updates.
After security software has been updated, proceed to the next section to continue with the post-recovery set up process.
Update software and drivers from HP
HP provides programs that examine the computer and install all critical software and driver updates. Use either HP Advisor or HP Support Assistant by following the steps below.
- For general information:To view the Help and Support utilities from HP that are available for Windows Vista, go to the www.hp.com/go/helpandsupport web page.
- For HP Advisor:
- Click to install latest version of HP Advisor .
- To launch HP Advisor, click Start , enter HP advisor in the search field and select HP Advisor from the list.
- Click Support to launch the HP Support Assistant , and continue with the instructions below.
- For HP Support Assistant:
- Click to install latest version of HP Support Assistant .
- To launch HP Support Assistant, click Start , enter support in the search field and select HP Support Assistant from the list.
- Click Maintain , click Software Updates , select Tune up from the menu at the top of the window, and then click Start Tune-up , and follow the on-screen instructions.
After all HP updates have been downloaded and installed, proceed to the next section to continue with the post-recovery set up process.
Connect devices and installing extra software
After running the Windows Update, security software update, and HP Update, your computer is secure from most security threats. You can now connect printers, scanners, external drives, cameras, and other peripheral devices.
- Connect one peripheral device at a time. Ensure that each individual device is fully installed before connecting or installing another device.
- The operating system will recognize most external components as Plug-n-Play devices and will automatically search for and install the latest device drivers.
- If the device is not recognized as Plug-n-Play, use the original installation discs for the programs. When the device is operating, follow the manufacturer's instructions to install all updates.
- If a program is not designed to run in your operating system, contact the manufacturer for information on a possible update, or consider purchasing the proper version of the program.
You have completed all the port-recovery activities and your computer is up-to-date and secure.
