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HP and Compaq Desktop PCs: Looking for Recovery Discs?

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This document provides different options for obtaining or creating recovery discs for HP and Compaq desktop PCs. Use the option that works best for you.
NOTE: Most HP and Compaq desktop PCs that ship with Windows Vista and XP do not come with recovery discs. Instead, they use a partition on the hard drive. Using a hard drive partition provides a convenient, more stable recovery solution. To access a hard drive recovery, turn on the computer and repeatedly press F11 until a recovery window opens. If your computer originally came with Windows XP or earlier, press F10 to enter recovery.
Creating recovery discs
Did you know that most HP or Compaq desktop computers can be used to create one set of recovery discs?
The advantages to creating recovery discs are: they are less costly to obtain, can be created faster than the time it takes to have them shipped, and they typically produce faster recovery times. However, due to licensing of the operating system, only one set of recovery discs can be created. Recovery discs cannot be created if the operating system was changed.
To create recovery discs, see one of the documents that matches the version of Windows that came with the computer:
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Ordering recovery discs from HP
If you cannot create a set of recovery discs, you might be able to order a set of replacement discs from HP. HP maintains an inventory of replacement recovery discs for several years after the product has been released. However, because of licensing restrictions, HP is only able to provide these recovery discs for a limited time. If the computer is several years past its warranty period, HP might not be able to supply replacement discs for your computer. If this is the case, you can install a new operating system that meets the minimum system requirements of your computer, or, alternatively, upgrade your computer hardware.
If you are in United States or Canada, you can see if HP has recovery discs for order by using the following steps:
CAUTION: The steps in this section apply only to United States and Canada.For Europe, Middle East, and Africa refer to the HP support document Europe, Middle East, and Africa - Statement on the Availability of the Recovery Software on CD . For all other countries/regions, contact your local HP support center for information about obtaining recovery CDs.
  2. Type the product number or model name for your computer into the field provided, and press Enter .
    Figure 1: Product name/number field that you will see on the Software & Driver page
  3. Click the operating system link that matches the version of Windows that originally came with your computer. For example, if the computer originally came with Windows Vista (64-bit) click the link Microsoft "Windows Vista (64-bit)".
  4. Find the "CD-ROM order page - Recovery Discs " section and click the link labeled with "Recovery Kit " to start the ordering process.
    NOTE: If the link to order a recovery disc set is not available , a set might not be available for purchase. HP cannot create recovery discs that contain a version of Windows that is no longer supported by Microsoft, such as Windows Me, 98, or 95.
  5. Follow the directions from the "Read this..." article and from the ordering pages to complete the ordering process.
    NOTE: The ordering pages use a secure connection to protect your privacy.
If the computer cannot create a recovery disc set and you cannot order a recovery disc set from HP, go to the next step.
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Finding recovery discs from other Web sites
If HP is no longer supplying recovery discs for your model of computer and a recovery disc can no longer be created, you might be able to find a solution outside of HP.
NOTE: Try all of the other options in this support document before attempting to order recovery discs from outside HP.
Popular online auction sites and some computer part suppliers might have an original recovery disc part in stock. However, be careful and understand the risks when purchasing recovery discs from any source outside of HP. Beware of sites that offer recovery solutions when they are not affiliated with HP.
Even though HP might not have a recovery disc set available for purchase, search the HP part ordering Web site to find the recovery kit part number that matches your computer. Once you find the part number of the recovery disc, use the number in your searches to get better results.
  1. Open an HP Parts Ordering Web site (in English). If necessary, select your country/region and language in the upper right corner of the page.
  2. Enter the computer's product name into the corresponding search field. The name of the computer is attached to the computer case on a sticker.
  3. Follow the instructions on the pages to view a list of all parts associated with the computer product name.
  4. From the list of parts, find a recovery disc set and matching part number and write it down.
    Figure 2: Example of recovery disc part number 5069-8336 (for model m1170n) no longer in stock
  5. Write down the part number. You can use the part number when searching the Internet or your favorite auction web site to find a replacement recovery kit.
    Example: entering "Pavilion 716n" into the product name field on the HP Part Store Web site and following the instructions on the pages eventually opens a list of parts that includes the Recovery Disc kit 5069-5083. The term "5069-5083" can be used in an Internet search to find a recovery disc set that will work for the Pavilion 716n PC (not with most other models).
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Contacting Support
If you cannot order a recovery disc set from HP or you cannot create a usable set from your computer, contact HP Customer Care . HP Customer Care may be able to send out new discs or replace defective versions depending on your situation and availability.
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