Print| This document covers how to recover an Compaq/HP Notebook PC originally configured with Windows Vista Operating System by using native Windows functionality. |
|---|
| To use the HP recovery function on notebooks originally configured with the Windows Vista operating system, see
Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery
For notebooks originally configured with the Windows 7 operating system, see Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 7) . For notebooks originally configured with XP or any other operating system, to verify that you are using the proper recovery procedure, see Overview Of Recovering Or Reinstalling The Operating System . |
| See
FAQ on Repairing or Reinstalling the Operating System
for answers to frequently asked questions. See HP PCs - Looking for Recovery Discs? for replacement media. |
Microsoft has provided backup and recovery capabilities for Windows Vista that are not available in previous versions of the Windows operating system. The suite includes the following options:
- Backup and Restore Center – The Backup and Restore Center allows you to backup files or the entire computer and to restore files from a previous backup or to restore the entire computer from a Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore image.
- Backup Status and Configuration – The Backup Status and Configuration manager provide the following capabilities:
- To schedule automatic file backups, scan for new files and add them to the backup, or alter the backup settings.
- Restore files by an advanced restore that allows files to be restored from backups created from another computer, or to restore files for all of the accounts on the computer, or the ability to restore files from a previous backup made on this computer.
- To perform a complete PC backup.
- System Restore – The system restore function can help fix problems that might be making the computer to run slowly or stop responding. It does not affect any documents, pictures, or other personal data, and the process is reversible.
- Recovery Manager - Using the Windows Recovery Environment, business notebooks has developed a Recovery Manager; this utility is accessed by pressing F11 during boot or by clicking Start and typing recovery in the search field. Select Recovery Manager from the list which will allow you to recover the factory preinstalled image.
The procedures for accessing and using these options are provided in the following sections.
NOTE:There are overlapping functions provided in these options.
Click Start
, enter backup
in the search field and then select Backup and Restore Center
from the list when it becomes available.
Alternately, click Start
, Control Panel
, System Maintenance
, and then Backup and Restore Center
.
The Backup and Restore Center provides the following choices:
- Backing up files or entire computer – This option allows you to:
- Create backup copies of your files and folders.
- Create a Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore image of your entire computer that can be used to recover from a hardware failure.
- Restoring files or your entire computer – This option allows for:
- Restore files and folders from a backup.
- Restore your entire computer from a Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore image.
NOTE:All backups should be made to DVDs. When creating the backup discs, the backup manager examines the PC and determines how many blank DVDs the disc creation process will require. The disc creation process may require up to three or more DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD+R, or DVD+R DL discs depending on the type of backup or size of the image being backed up.
CAUTION:The discs must be DVD-R, or DVD+R, single or dual-layered discs. Do not use +-or DVD-R/W read/write type discs because the creation process will fail.
NOTE:Click Which type of backup should I make?
for a detailed explanation of what the backups provide.
To back up the entire computer, do the following steps.
- Select the Backup computer button.
- When prompted to specify where to save the backup chose one of the following options; hard disk, DVDs, or external drives that may be connected to your computer.
- Click On one or more DVDs , and then click Next .When prompted to confirm your backup settings, the backup location will be specified along with the number of DVDs required for the backup. It will also specify the internal disks that will be backed up, i.e. Local Disk (C:), or DVDs, etc.NOTE:You may be given the option of using the HP_Recovery (E) disk partition; however, HP does not recommend this as it provides limited space and is primarily used for to create the Recovery discs.
- Click Start backup computer button to continue.
- When prompted, put a blank disc in the DVD drive and follow the on-screen instructions to create the backup discs.
NOTE: Windows includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your computer. You may be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing software, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. Refer to Windows Help for more information.
After all of the backup discs are created, label the discs and store them in a safe place.
To backup your files, do the following steps.
- Click Back up files .
- When prompted to confirm your backup settings, you have the option of scheduling a backup location of the hard disk or on a network. Selecting On a hard disk or DVD gives the option of using a DVD or the internal HP_Recovery (E) partition.NOTE:You may be given the option of using the HP_Recovery (E) disk partition; however, HP does not recommend this as it provides limited space and is primarily used for to create the Recovery discs.
- Select On a hard disk or DVD and click Next .
- When prompted to choose which disk to backup, select the DVD R/W drive and click Next .
- You are then prompted to choose what file types you want to backup. Select desired files and click Next .
- You will then be prompted to schedule how often (Daily, Weekly, Monthly), what day (day of the week), and then what time (time of the day) you want the backup to be performed. After scheduling the backups, click on save settings and start backup .
NOTE:If the is your first backup, Windows will create a new, full backup. Subsequent backups will only copy new files and files changed since your previous backup.
NOTE:Windows includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your computer. You may be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing software, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. Refer to Windows Help for more information.
In addition to manual backup-and-recovery tools, your computer includes an automatic backup feature, Windows System Restore
. System Restore uses a feature called System Protection
to regularly create and save restore points on your computer. These restore points contain information about registry settings and other system information that Windows uses. You can also create restore points manually.
HP recommends that you create manual restore points at the following times.
- Before you add or extensively modify software or hardware.
- Periodically, whenever the system is performing optimally.
NOTE: Recovering to an earlier restore point does not delete data files or e-mails created since that restore point.
To create a system restores point:
- Click Start , enter backup in the search field, and then select Backup and Restore Center from the list when it becomes available.Alternately, click Start , Control Panel , System Maintenance , and then Backup and Restore Center
- On the left side of the screen, click Create a restore point or change settings .
- You will be prompted to name (create a description to help identify) the restore point.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
To repair Windows using System Restore:
- Click Start and type backup in the search field. Select Backup and Restore Center from the list when it becomes available.Alternately, click Start , Control Panel , System Maintenance , and then Backup and Restore Center .
- On the left side of the screen, click Repair Windows using System Restore .
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
To create a restore point or to change settings, select the Create a restore point or change settings
option from the Backup and Restore Center tasks selections.
Click Start
; enter backup
in the search field, and select Backup Status and Configuration
from the list when it becomes available. This function provides for three options.
- Backup FilesThis option allows you to configure the automatic backups. When turned on, Windows automatically scans the computer for new and updated files. It indicates when the last successful backup was accomplished and when the next one is scheduled, and also allows you to choose to back up the files now or to change your backup setting.
- Restore FilesThis option allows you to restore individual files and folders that have been accidentally deleted or damaged. You can also restore if you need to replace your computer’s hard disk.
- Advanced restore allows you to restore files from a backup made to another computer or to restore files for all of the accounts on this computer.
- Restore files allows you to restore your files from a backup made on this computer.
- Complete PC BackupThe Windows Complete PC Backup option creates a backup copy of your entire computer, including programs, system settings, and files by selecting the Create a backup now button.
The system restore function can help fix problems that might be causing the computer to run slowly or stop responding. It does not affect any documents, pictures, or other personal data, and the process is reversible. You can select the recommend restore point and click the Next
button.
If you choose to select another restore point, a screen is provided that shows all the available restore points and allows you chose your desire restore point and click the Next
button.
The recovery manager helps you recover your factory shipped computer programs and drivers should you experience a computer failure or instability. The recovery manager can be accessed by either of the following:
- Click Start , enter recovery in the search field, and select Recovery Manager from the list when it becomes available.
- Recovery Manager is also accessible by pressing F11 during boot and allows you to recover the factory preinstalled image.
The Recovery Manager allows you to perform the following:
- Software program re-installation:
- If you select Yes and Next on the appropriate screens, you will see a software re-installation screen that helps you reinstall software that was included with your computer. Select Next and you will be provided a list of programs and be asked to choose which program you wish to reinstall. Follow the onscreen instructions.
- If you select No and Next , you will be asked if you want to do the following:
- Hardware driver re-installation:
- If you select Yes and Next , you will see a hardware driver re-installer screen that helps you reinstall hardware drivers that were shipped with your computer. Select Next and you will be provided a list of drivers and be asked to choose which driver you wish to reinstall. Follow the onscreen instructions.
- If you select No and Next , you will be asked if you want to do the following:
- Microsoft system restore:
- If you select Yes and Next , the Microsoft System Restore requires you to leave the Recovery Manager and by selecting Next , you will be forwarded to the Windows System Restore program. Follow the onscreen instructions.
- If you select No and Next , you will be asked if you want to do the following:
- Recover your computer to its original factory condition:
- If you select Yes and Next , your computer will automatically start the shutdown procedure and reopen in the System Restore program. Be sure you want to completely restore your computer to its initial factory settings before proceeding. Otherwise select cancel.
- If you select No and Next , you will be provided information for contacting HP Support. Clicking Finish will close the program.
- For a complete drive, file, and folder backup and restore, the Vista Backup and Restore Center provides a set of features comparable to those available in HP Backup and Recovery Manager. You can access previous versions of files without backing up using Vista ShadowCopy.
