Performing an HP system recovery (Windows

7)
Types of system recovery
View a video on performing an HP system recovery in Windows 7
Recovery from the Windows 7 desktop screen
Steps to follow for Recovery from the startup screen (during system boot) OR when unable to
boot to login in screen
Recovery from recovery discs
Booting from USB recovery drive
This document pertains to HP and Compaq computers that came with Windows 7
installed.
This document explains how to reset the computer to its original factory shipped state and is
divided into sections based on the different ways of performing a system recovery.
Back up all personal files and read all caution statements before performing a system
recovery.

caution:

If the computer originally came with Windows Vista or Windows XP and the computer was
upgraded to Windows 7, the recovery process will reinstall the original operating system. You
must upgrade to Windows 7 (again) after the system recovery is completed.
If the computer originally came with Windows XP and was upgraded to Windows 7, see
Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows XP.
If the computer originally came with Windows Vista and was upgraded to Windows 7, see
Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows Vista.
The complete recovery process can take 4 to 6 hours or more to complete. For best results, the
computer should be connected to the Internet, and it will restart several times during the process.
Do not turn off the power or interrupt the recovery process until the prompt to log in to Windows
displays.
Types of system recovery
Your computer might have three types of System Recovery available, or it might have only two.
Use the recovery type that resolves your issue without making more changes than necessary.
 System Recovery: This option reformats the system drive (usually C:), reinstalls the
original operating system, and reinstalls all the original hardware drivers and software.
System Recovery does not impact user created partitions. If there are two hard drives,
System Recovery modifies only the drive with the operating system.

warning:

If the size of the OS partition (usually C:) was reduced below a minimum size
requirement, other user created partitions will be removed and stored data will be
destroyed.
  Factory Reset: Factory Reset removes all partitions, reformats the entire hard drive,
reinstalls the original operating system, and reinstalls all the original hardware drivers
and software. This option also recreates the required Recovery partition (usually D:) and
UEFI partition (usually E:) and reinstalls the required software.

The Factory Reset option returns all of the notebook's software to the condition it was in
at the time of purchase. All user changes or additions are removed.

 Minimized Image Recovery: Available on many of HP's notebook computers, the

Minimized Image Recovery removes all partitions, reformats the entire hard drive,
reinstalls the original operating system and hardware drivers, and reinstalls HP essential
software (such as HP Support Assistant and HP Recovery Manager). Minimized Image
Recovery does not reinstall the trial applications and games.

View a video on performing an HP system recovery in Windows 7

Recovery from the Windows 7 desktop screen
If Windows 7 opens correctly, perform the following steps to start a system recovery from the
Windows 7 start menu.
1. Turn off the computer.
2. Disconnect all connected devices and cables such as Personal Media Drives, USB
drives, printers, and faxes. Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently
added internal hardware. Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power
cord.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Click Start , click All Programs, click Recovery Manager, and then click Recovery
Manager again.

If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or
provide confirmation. If a User Account Control window asks if you want to allow the
program to make changes to the computer, click Yes.

Figure : Recovery Manager

5. Under I need help immediately, click System Recovery.
6. The Recovery Manager asks if you want to restore the computer to its original factory
shipped condition. Click Yes, and then click Next.

Figure : Recovery Manager confirmation screen

7. The computer restarts. If the recovery partition on the hard disk drive is functioning
correctly, the Recovery Manager window appears.

note:

If the recovery partition on the hard disk drive is not functioning correctly, a set of
recovery discs is needed to run a system recovery. Follow the instructions listed in
the section Recovery from recovery discs.

Figure : Recovery Manager after restart

8. Click System Recovery.

9. When System Recovery prompts you to back up your files, select a backup option:
o If you have already backed up personal files or you do not want to back up
personal files, select Recover without backing up your files, and then click Next.
Continue to the next step.
o If you want to back up your personal files, follow these steps to create a backup.

Figure : Recovery Manager: Back up your files first

1. Select Back up your files first (recommended), and then click Next.
2. Select the file types to back up, and then click Next.

Figure : File Backup window

3. Recovery Manager scans the computer for storage devices. Select the
storage device to save the backup, and then click Next.

note:
 If you selected a CD or DVD drive, the computer prompts you to
insert a blank disc.

Figure : Choose backup location

4. When Recovery Manager is finished backing up files, remove the backup

disc or storage device, and then click Next to continue with the recovery
process.

note:

If the backup process fails, make sure the capacity of the storage
device is large enough to store the files, or try de-selecting some
file types to reduce the amount of files that are copied. Other
reasons for failed backups might be caused by file corruption. In
some cases, it might not be possible to save files using this backup
method.

10. Click OK in the warning that appears.

11. After the system recovery is complete, click Finish to restart the computer. Complete the
setup screens and wait until the computer finishes the setup.
12. Once the setup is complete, turn off the computer, reconnect all devices and cables, and
then turn on the computer.
13. Before using the computer, update and protect your computer. Reinstall any virus and
security software that was installed before the system recovery.
14. Reinstall any software programs that were added after purchasing the computer, as well
as any files that were backed up.
Steps to follow for Recovery from the startup screen (during system boot) OR when unable to
boot to login in screen
If Windows 7 does not open correctly, perform the following steps to recover the computer:

note:

If the recovery partition on the hard disk drive is not functioning correctly, this method does not
work and an error message appears. If an error message indicates that System Recovery cannot
be run from the startup screen, a set of recovery discs is needed to perform a system recovery.
Follow the instructions listed in the section Recovery from recovery discs.
1. Turn off the computer.
2. Disconnect all connected devices and cables such as Personal Media Drives, USB
drives, printers, and faxes. Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently
added internal hardware. Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power
cord.
3. Turn on the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key, about once every second, until
Recovery Manager opens.

Figure : Recovery Manager

4. Under I need help immediately, click System Recovery.

5. When System Recovery prompts you to back up your files, select a backup option:
o If you have already backed up personal files or you do not want to back up
personal files, select Recover without backing up your files, and then click Next.
Continue to the next step.
o If you want to back up your personal files, follow these steps to create a backup.

Figure : Recovery Manager: Back up your files first

1. Select Back up your files first (recommended), and then click Next.
2. Select the file types to back up, and then click Next.

Figure : File Backup window

 3. Recovery Manager scans the computer for storage devices. Select the
storage device to save the backup, and then click Next.

note:

If you selected a CD or DVD drive, the computer prompts you to

insert a blank disc.

Figure : Choose backup location

4. When Recovery Manager is finished backing up files, remove the backup

disc or storage device, and then click Next to continue with the recovery
process.

note:

If the backup process fails, make sure the capacity of the storage
device is large enough to store the files, or try de-selecting some
file types to reduce the amount of files that are copied. Other
reasons for failed backups might be caused by file corruption. In
some cases, it might not be possible to save files using this backup
method.

6. Click OK in the warning that appears.

7. After the system recovery is complete, click Finish to restart the computer. Complete the
setup screens and wait until the computer finishes the setup.
8. Once the setup is complete, turn off the computer, reconnect all devices and cables, and
then turn on the computer.
 9. Before using the computer, update and protect your computer. Reinstall any virus and
security software that was installed before the system recovery.
10. Reinstall any software programs that were added after purchasing the computer, as well
as any files that were backed up.

Recovery from recovery discs

Perform the following steps to recover the computer using a set of recovery discs (either CDs or
DVDs). These discs can be a set that was received from HP Support or discs that you created.

note:

HP does not include recovery discs in the box its personal computers as the recovery software
comes on the hard drive. You can obtain recovery discs from HP Support, or use Recovery
Manager software to create a set of recovery discs yourself. HP recommends creating a set of
recovery discs when you receive your computer and storing them in a safe place. Support Sent
Recovery Discs can take as long as 4 to 6 hours to complete system recovery, but recovery discs
that you create often take less time to complete system recovery. For more information about
creating a set of recovery discs, see Creating Recovery Discs or Saving a Recovery Image to a
USB Flash Drive in Windows 7.
1. Turn on the computer, and insert the first recovery disc into the drive.
2. Press and hold the power button to turn off the computer.
3. Disconnect all connected devices and cables such as Personal Media Drives, USB
drives, printers, and faxes. Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently
added internal hardware. Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power
cord.
4. Turn on the computer.
5. Immediately press the Escape key repeatedly, about once every second, until a Startup
Menu or Select boot device menu opens.
6. The selections you need to make vary slightly depending on the type of menu that
appears on your screen:
o If a Select Boot Device menu displays, use the up or down arrow key to select the
CD/DVD drive, and then press Enter to continue.
o If a Startup Menu opens, press F9 to open "Boot Menu" or "Boot Device
Options". Use the up or down arrow key to select the CD/DVD drive. Then press
Enter.

note:

More than one CD/DVD drive selection may be available from the list of
bootable devices. If so, select one of the CD/DVD selections from the list
to see if HP Recovery starts. If recovery does not start or a non-system
 disk error displays, restart the computer by pressing the power button and
then repeat these steps to select another CD/DVD drive. When recovery
starts, continue using the steps to complete recovery.

7. A window might appear and prompt you to choose whether to run Recovery Manager
from the hard disk or from the disc inserted. If this window displays, select the Run
program from disc, and then click Next.
8. Select an option based on the type of recovery discs you have:
o Recovery discs created from your computer:

Click Factory Reset under I need help immediately. If the next screen prompts
you to confirm your choice, select Yes and then click Next. If no confirmation
screen displays, continue with the next step.

Figure : Recovery Manager using user-created recovery discs

o Recovery discs received from HP support:

Select one of the following selections, depending on which selection is shown on

your screen, and then click Next.

 Factory Reset - Reset the computer by erasing the entire drive and
restoring to the factory setup
 Reset the computer by erasing the entire drive and restoring to the factory
setup

Figure : Recovery Manager using HP-sent recovery discs

9. When System Recovery prompts you to back up your files, select a backup option:
o If you have already backed up personal files or you do not want to back up
personal files, select Recover without backing up your files, and then click Next.
Continue to the next step.
o If you want to back up your personal files, follow these steps to create a backup.

Figure : Recovery Manager: Back up your files first

1. Select Back up your files first (recommended), and then click

Next.
2. Select the file types to back up, and then click Next.
 Figure : File Backup window

3. Recovery Manager scans the computer for storage devices. Select

the storage device to save the backup, and then click Next.

note:

If you selected a CD or DVD drive, the computer prompts you to

insert a blank disc.

Figure : Choose backup location

 4. When Recovery Manager is finished backing up files, remove the
backup disc or storage device, and then click Next to continue with the
recovery process.

note:

If the backup process fails, make sure the capacity of the storage
device is large enough to store the files, or try de-selecting some
file types to reduce the amount of files that are copied. Other
reasons for failed backups might be caused by file corruption. In
some cases, it might not be possible to save files using this backup
method.

2. Click OK in the warning that appears.

3. Read and respond to the screens as they appear. If a screen prompts for a disc, insert the
next disc. In some cases, you might have to repeatedly insert the same disc several times
before the screen allows you to continue.
4. After system recovery is complete, remove the disc. If the tray does not eject the disc,
press the eject button on the PC case to eject the disc.
5. If you are presented with a “Restoration complete” screen, click Finish.

If you are presented with a “File copy is complete” screen, click Next.

6. Depending on which model of computer you have, the computer will either shut off or
restart. If the computer shuts off, wait 5 seconds and turn on the computer.

note:

If you are using Support Sent Recovery discs sent from HP, it can take more than
an hour to complete the recovery process. Do not interrupt the recovery process.
The recovery process is complete when the Windows Setup screens appear.

7. Complete Windows setup when the screens appear.

8. Once Windows setup has been completed, turn off the computer, reconnect all devices
and cables, and then turn on the computer.
9. Before using the computer, update and protect your computer. Reinstall any virus and
security software that was installed before the system recovery.
10. Reinstall any software programs that were added after purchasing the computer, as well
as any files that were backed up.

Booting from USB recovery drive

Perform the following steps to recover the computer using a USB flash drive.

note:
For more information about saving a recovery image to a USB flash drive, see Creating
Recovery Discs or Saving a Recovery Image to a USB Flash Drive in Windows 7.
1. Turn on the computer, and insert the USB flash drive into a USB port.
2. Turn off the computer by pressing and holding the power button.
3. Disconnect all connected devices and cables such as Personal Media Drives, printers,
and faxes. Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently added internal
hardware. Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, USB recovery flash
drive, or power cord.
4. Immediately press the Escape key repeatedly, about once every second, until a Startup or
Select Boot Device Menu opens.
5. The selections you need to make vary slightly depending on the type of menu that
appears on your screen:
o If a "Select Boot Device" menu displays, use the up or down arrow key to select
your USB Storage Device, and press Enter to continue.
o If a "Startup Menu" opens, press F9 to open the "Boot Menu" or "Boot Device
Options". Use the up or down arrow key to select the name of your USB Storage
Device (the volume label of the drive). Then press Enter to continue.

Figure : Recovery Manager welcome

6. A window might display and prompt you to choose whether to run Recovery Manager
from the hard disk or from the media inserted. If this window displays, select the USB
flash drive option, and then click Next.
7. Click System Recovery under I need help immediately. On the next screen, select Yes to
confirm that you want to restore your computer to its original factory condition, and then
click Next to continue.

Figure : Restore computer verification

8. When System Recovery prompts you to back up your files, select a backup option:
o If you have already backed up personal files or you do not want to back up
personal files, select Recover without backing up your files, and then click Next.
Continue to the next step.
o If you want to back up your personal files, follow these steps to create a backup.

Figure : Recovery Manager: Back up your files first

1. Select Back up your files first (recommended), and then click Next.
2. Select the file types to back up, and then click Next.

Figure : File Backup window

3. Recovery Manager scans the computer for storage devices. Select the
storage device to save the backup, and then click Next.

Figure : Choose backup location

 4. When Recovery Manager is finished backing up files, remove the backup
disc or storage device, and then click Next to continue with the recovery
process.

note:

If the backup process fails, make sure the capacity of the storage
device is large enough to store the files, or try de-selecting some
file types to reduce the amount of files that are copied. Other
reasons for failed backups might be caused by file corruption. In
some cases, it might not be possible to save files using this backup
method.

9. Click Next. A message displays warning you that all devices should be disconnected
from the PC. Be sure all devices, except the recovery flash drive, are disconnected, and
then click OK.
10. Read and respond to the screens as they appear. After system recovery is complete, a
“Restoration complete” screen displays.
11. Remove the USB flash drive from the USB port.
12. Click Finish to restart your computer.
13. Depending on the model of your computer, the computer will either shut off or restart. If
the computer shuts off, wait 5 seconds, and then turn on the computer.
14. Complete Windows setup when the screens appear.
15. Once Windows setup has been completed, turn off the computer, reconnect all devices
and cables, and then turn on the computer.
16. Before using the computer, update and protect your computer. Reinstall any virus and
security software that was installed before the system recovery.
17. Reinstall any software programs that were added after purchasing the computer, as well
as any files that were backed up.