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Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery

HP Customer Care > HP Pavilion dv6-3147sb Entertainment Notebook PC

This document covers how to recover an Compaq/HP Notebook PC originally

configured with Windows 7 Operating System.

For notebooks originally configured with the Windows Vista operating system, see Recover

Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery

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 Order Recovery Discs For Windows 7, Vista, Or XP for replacement media.

About the HP Recovery Manager

The HP Recovery Manager is an easy-to-use, versatile application that allows you to:

Create a set of operating system recovery discs

Restore the PC to its original condition with the HP Recovery Manager

Restore the PC to its original condition using the f11 key

Restore the PC to its original condition with the recovery discs

Backup and restore important files

Reinstall specific drivers or applications

Restore computer settings to an earlier point in time

Check the condition of the PC and installed files

Do not remove the HP Recovery Partition

Create Recovery disc on USB device

All of these features make the HP Recovery Manager a necessary tool for ensuring data security.

The HP Recovery Manager allows you to create recovery discs that are customized to your specific computer.

Therefore, a Windows 7 recovery disc was not provided with your computer.

The HP Recovery Manager restores the PC to its original licensed operating system. If you created a set of

personalized recovery discs in Windows Vista, and then your computer was upgraded to Windows 7, the

recovery discs will restore the original licensed Vista factory settings.

Why perform a system recovery?

ver Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery HP Pavilion d... http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&dlc=en

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Reasons for performing a system recovery to restore the computer to original operating condition include:

The Windows 7 operating system files were accidentally moved, deleted, or corrupted, and cannot be

repaired.

The notebook PC is infected with a virus or other form of malicious software that cannot be removed by

anti-virus software.

The hard disk drive is corrupted, contains no data, or is not responding.

To remove all the existing user files and programs before giving the PC to someone else.

Because the recovery process may delete some or all of the existing files, programs, and partitions; HP

recommends that you perform all other troubleshooting options to return the computer to the proper operatingcondition, and backup of all important data and files before doing a system recovery:

Are there different types of recovery?

Yes, there are different recovery options. Depending on when the model was released, the Recovery Manager

installed on your notebook was developed by either SoftThink, or CyberLink, or by an HP team. As a general

rule, performing a recovery means returning the computer to its original condition by removing all software and

files and reinstalling the original operating system, but there are some variations. The screens may be slightly

different, and there three very different types of recovery options depending on the type of notebook.

NOTE:When performing a recovery, connect the AC power adapter, disconnect all peripheral devices,

and remove all external USB devices and memory cards.

System Recovery: Reformats the system drive (normally C:), re-installs the original operating system,

all the original hardware drivers and software. Does not impact user created partitions. If there are two

hard drives, only the drive with the operating system is modified.

WARNING:If the size of the OS partition (normally C:) was reduced below a minimum size

requirement, the other user created partions will be removed and stored data will be

destroyed.

Factory Reset: Removes all partitions, reformats the entire hard drive, re-installs the original operating

system, and all the original hardware drivers and software. Also, re-creates the required Recovery

partition (normally D:) and UEFI partition (normally E:), and re-installs the required software.

This 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: Removes all partitions, reformats the entire hard drive, re-installs the

original operating system and hardware drivers, and re-installs HP essential software (i.e., HP Support

Assistant, HP Recovery Manager, etc.), but does not install t he trial applications and games.

NOTE:When a recovery is performed in a mobile device, be sure if the electric current cable is

connected, and the pc has only original parts.

For more information on these recovery options, see HP Notebook PCs - Using System Recovery, Factory

Reset and Minimized Image Recovery Options .

When is a system recovery complete?

There are two parts to a complete system recovery process. First, the operating system is installed and the

computer is returned to an operating condition. Second, the computer unbundles the software and sets up the

basic operating conditions. The recovery can take 1 to 6 hours or more depending on a variety of factors.

The HP Software Installation screen or the Windows Desktop may appear to pause or stop working for several

minutes. Some installation screens will appear to be error messages and a number of restarts can occur. This

behavior is expected and ANY user Intervention during this stage can and typically will result in unintended

errors such as "Windows could not complete the installation."

During the setup you will be prompted to select settings such as language, date and time, and type of network

to use. After you have selected the settings, the computer will restart and prompt you to log in to Windows. The

system recovery process is complete when you are prompted to login to the computer with a user name and

password.

After completing the system recovery, it is extremely important to obtain and install updates for the PC and its

software, which has been released since the manufacture date of the PC.

Launch the Windows Update function to install the latest Microsoft updates.

Launch HP Advisor or HP Support Assistant to install the latest HP BIOS and updated drivers. Or you

can search for updates on the HP Drivers and Downloads support page.

Recovery discs are not shipped with computers using the Recovery Manager

HP does not include recovery discs with computers that are shipped with the HP Recovery Manager. You can

use Recovery Manager to create a personal set of recovery discs. In the event that the hard drive crashes or

the computer system becomes corrupted, you can use the personal recovery discs to restore the system to its

original condition.

2011 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.United States


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CAUTION:The HP Recovery Manager allows the creation of only one (1) set of recovery discs, and

the discs are unique to the individual PC. The recovery discs cannot be used t o restore the operating

system to another PC.

Because the personal recovery disc includes only the files needed for your specific computer, you can perform a

recovery in less than an hour. See Create a set of operating system recovery discs .

If you choose not to make your personal recovery disc, and you order a replacement recovery disc from HP, it

will contain information needed for multiple models, and a recovery can take up to four to six hours or more. See

HP Notebook PCs - Order Recovery Discs For Windows 7, Vista, Or XP

Create a set of operating system recovery discs

You can use HP Recovery Manager to create a personal set of recovery discs. When you select the Recovery

disc creation process, the HP Recovery Manager examines the PC and determines how many blank DVD discs

will be required. Depending on the model, you will need up to three DVD-R or DVD+R (Non-read/writeable)

discs. The creation process can take up to an hour or more. Do not interrupt the creation process.

CAUTION:The discs must be either DVD-R, or DVD+R. Do not use DVD-R/W read/write type discs

because the creation process will fail.

Create a set of operating system recovery discs by following the steps below.

Click Start and enter Recovery in the search field. Select Recovery Managerfrom the list to open

the HP Recovery Manager window. Allow the action to continue, if prompted.

Alternately, click Start , All Programs , Recovery Manager, and then Recovery Manager.

Allow the act ion to con tinue, if prompted.

1.

Click Recovery Disc Creation .

The computer will restart and launch the Recovery Manager again.

2.

Select Recovery Disc Creation again to start the process.

The program will appear to pause for about ten minutes while it examines the computer and calculates

how many DVD-R or DVD+R discs are needed. Do not interrupt this process.

3.

When prompted, put a blank disc in the optical disc drive and follow the on-screen instructions to

create the recovery discs.

NOTE:If a disc is inserted before the Insert Disc prompt appears, and the Recovery

Manager does not recognize the new disc, press OK to clear the error message, then eject

and re-insert the blank disc. In the event that this happens, no data loss will occur nor will the

computer be damaged. It simply "pauses" the recovery process until the Recovery Manager

can identify the blank disc.

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After all of the recove ry discs are created, label the discs and store them in a safe pl ace. If the recovery discs

fail during the creation or become corrupted, you can order replacement recovery discs from HP.

Three ways to recover the PC to the original operating condition

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.

If computer can boot to the Windows desktop, launch the Recovery Manager.1.

If computer cannot boot to the Windows desktop, press f11 to launch Recovery Manager.2.

Insert your personalized recovery disc or replacement recovery disc in the optical drive and start thecomputer.

3.

When the recovery is complete, be sure to run the Microsoft Windows Update and the HP Advisor or HP

Support Assistant to install all updated drivers and software.

Restore the PC to its original condition with the HP Re covery Manager from within Windows 7

If the PC can be started and opens to the Windows desktop, you can use the HP Recovery Manager on the

hard drive to restore the PC to the original factory condition by following the steps below.

Click Start and enter Recovery in the search field. Select Recovery Managerfrom the list

when it becomes available. Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager

opens.


Allow the acti on to cont inue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.

1.

Click System recovery . The PC will restart and reopen the Recovery Manager.2.

When the PC restarts, select the System recovery option and click Next .3.

If prompted to use the Microsoft System Restore program, click No , and then click Next .4.

When prompted, if you want to backup your personal files and settings, select the Back up your

files first (recommended) option, and then click Next . Follow the on-screen instructions.

5.

When prompted to Recover without backing up your files , please STOP before clicking Next .

WARNING:This is the final opportunity to change your mind about recovering the PC

and deleting all the files and programs. Once you click Next , the restore process

cannot be stopped.

6.

If you are satisfied that you want to begin the recover process, click Next . The PC immediately

begins formatting the hard drive and destroying all data.

7.

The recovery process may take up to several hours and will return the PC to its original condition. Any

custom settings, drivers, software programs and updates, and/or hardware updates are lost and must be

reinstalled.

Restore the PC to its original condition using the f11 key if Windows 7 is not accessible

If the PC cannot launch into Windows, it may still be possible to use the HP Recovery Manager on the hard

drive to restore the computer to its original operating condition. The Recovery Manager can be launched

during the startup process by following the steps below.

Press the Power button to start the PC, and then press the f11 key when the standard BIOS

prompts are displayed on the black screen.

NOTE:Pressing the f11 key during startup on a computer with an HP factory image will

start the system recovery process even if the prompt is not displayed.

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If the HP Recovery Manager can access the recovery partition on the hard drive, a prompt

to backup the user files before beginning the recovery is displayed. Follow any on-screen

instructions.

If the HP Recovery Manager cannot access the hard drive to fix any system errors, you will

need to use the personalized recovery disc that you created to recover the hard drive to its

original condition.

If you have not created the personalized recovery disc, or the discs are corrupted, you can

order a replacement recovery disc from HP.

When the Recovery Manager starts, follow the step-by-step system recovery instructions shown

above.

2.

Resolving a common recovery issue.

If the Recovery Manager cannot be launched from either the desktop, or by pressing the f11 key on startup,

you can use the recovery disc to restore the computer to the original operating condition in Windows 7.

Restore the PC to its original condition with the recovery discs

If the original operating system is changed to a non-Windows 7 OS, or if the PC cannot access the Windows

desktop, or the Recovery Manager cannot be started by selecting the f11 key on startup, you can use either

the personalized recovery disc that you created, or you can order a replacement recovery disc from HP to

start the PC and restore the hard drive to its original operating condition.

NOTE:Performing the recovery process using the personalized recovery disc that you created may

take less than an hour. Using replacement discs ordered directly from HP may take four to six hours

and includes several restarts.

If the HP Recovery Manager on the disc can access the hard drive, it will attempt to repair the recovery

partition. If successful, a prompt is displayed to continue running the recovery using the Recovery Manager

on the hard drive. If the program on the hard drive cannot be repaired, continue using the recovery disc in

the optical disc drive.

Use the recovery disc to restore the PC by following the steps below.

Insert the recovery disc in the optical disc drive and start the computer.

If the computer is running, insert the recovery disc and immediately click Start and select Restart

to force the computer to start from the recovery disc.

1.

When prompted, Press any key to boot from CD or DVD, press any key on the keyboard.2.

Allow the recove ry disc to start and load the required fi les while the Microso ft loading screen is

displayed. It may take several minutes to load the required files.

3.

When the HP Recovery Manager window displays, click System recovery .4.

Follow the on-screen instructions and perform the required actions.

NOTE:Do not interrupt the recovery process even though the computer may restart, or

the Windows desktop may display, or the process may appear to pause for several

minutes at various times.

When prompted, follow the on-screen instructions to back up the user files.

After performing the backup, when prompted, re- insert the recovery disc, and then click

Next to continue the recovery process.

A status box is displayed to indicate the status of the recovery and the estimated time

remaining.

If you used multiple discs when you created the personalized recovery discs, follow the

prompts to remove the first disc and insert any requested discs.

5.

When prompted to Insert the Supplemental driver disc , take one of the following actions:

If you purchased a replacement recovery disc from HP, and it included a Supplemental

driver disc, insert the disc and click OK orNext . The recovery program checks the

supplemental disc and installs the specific needed files.

After the Supplemental files are install ed, a prompt i s displayed to remove the

Supplemental disc and insert the original recovery disc.

If you purchased a replacement recovery disc from HP, and it did not include a

Supplemental driver disc, click Skip orCancel . The recovery program will ignore the

request and install the next file on the recovery disc.

If you created a personal recovery disc, press Next to continue.

6.

Continue following the on-screen instructions to complete the recovery process.7.

NOTE:If you have not created a personal recovery disc, or the recovery disc fails or becomes


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corrupted, see HP Notebook PCs - Order Recovery Discs For Windows 7, Vista, Or XP for

additional information.

Backup and restore important files

The Recovery Manager displays a prompt to make a backup copy of your files before it performs any action that

may erase or delete any files. HP recommends that you make backup copies of your files on a regular basis,

and that you store the backed-up files on a CD/DVD or other external media in a separate physical location,

away from the computer.

Doing scheduled backups will help you to recover some, if not all, of your information in the event that

something happens to the original files on your PC. It is important to decide which files you want to save. Make

a list of important information that you cannot easily replace. This list will help you to determine which files toback up, and also give you a reference list in the event that you need to retrieve the files.

To use the HP Recovery Manager to back up your files, see HP Notebook PCs - How To Back Up User Files .

Reinstall specific drivers or applications

The HP Recovery Manager can install, or reinstall, individual hardware drivers and software that shipped with

the specific PC model. There may be other unsupported third-party applications that are factory-installed on the

PC. Consult the manufacturer's installation instructions for any third-party programs that were purchased

separately.

Use the Recovery Manager to install individual drivers or applications, or reinstall corrupted applications, by

following the steps below.

Click Start and enter Recovery in the search field. Select Recovery Managerfrom the list when it

becomes available. Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.

Alternately, click Start , All Programs , Recovery Manager, and then Recovery Manager.Allow the act ion to con tinue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.

1.

Click Software program re-installation orHardware driver re-installation , Next , and then follow

the on-screen instructions to reinstall the desired software programs and hardware drivers.

2.

After install ing the driver or appli cation, restart the computer.

Restore computer settings to an earlier point in time using the Microsoft System Restore utility

The HP Recovery Manager prompts you to use the Microsoft System Restore utility to restore settings and

applications to an earlier point in time when the computer was operating properly. In some cases, setting up a

new program can cause problems by installing drivers that conflict with existing drivers. The Microsoft System

Restore utility makes it possible to restore program settings to an earlier time when the computer was operating


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properly.

The HP Recovery Manager and the Microsoft System Restore are different utilities, and they produce very

different results. The Microsoft System Restore utility uses restore points to return system files and settings to

an earlier point in time. If any updates or programs were installed after that restore point, the updates and

programs must be reinstalled.

Use the HP Recovery Manager to access the Windows Restore utility by following the steps below.

Click Start and enter Recovery in the search field. Select Recovery Managerfrom the list when it

becomes available. Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.


Allow the act ion to con tinue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.

1.

Click Microsoft System Restore , Next , and then follow the on-screen instructions.2.

If the Microsoft System Restore utility is not turned on, or if there are no specified restore points,

System Restore prompts for the creation of a first system restore point. To create a restore point, click

open System Protection , Create , and then follow the on-screen instructions.

3.

When prompted to choose a location to store the Microsoft Windows Recovery restore points, select

either the C: drive or an external storage device.

NOTE:Do not select the HP_Recove ry drive partition as a storage location!

HP_Recovery is small partition on the hard drive and is dedicated to the Recovery Manager

files. Attempting to store any other files on this partition may cause an error.

4.

If there are one or more restore recovery points available, click Choose a different restore point ,

Next , and then select a Date and Time when the PC was operating correctly. Follow the on-screen

instructions.

5.

Allow the PC to restart to complete the Microsof t System Rest ore.6.

If you do not wish to use the HP Recovery Manger, you can also access the Microsoft System Restore function

by following the steps below.

Click Start , All Programs , Accessories , System Tools , and then System Restore . Allow the

action to continue, if prompted. The Microsoft System Restore utility opens.

1.

Follow the on-screen instructions to restore the PC to a previous restore point.2.

Check the condition of the PC and installed files

The HP Recovery Manager can access Microsoft utilities to check the condition of the memory and files on the

hard drive. The utilities can correct errors before t hey cause serious problems.

You can perform a Computer Checkup by following the steps below.

Click Start , enter Recovery in the search field, and then select Recovery Managerfrom the list

when it becomes available. Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager

opens.


Allow the act ion to con tinue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.

1.

Click Computer Checkup , Next , select the desired type of checkup from the list, and then click

Next . Follow the on-screen instructions.

Microsoft Memory Test - the PC restarts to perform the test.

Check Disk for the Windows Partition - runs the check disk (CHKDSK) utility on the primary

partition.

Check Disk for the WinRE Partition - runs the check disk (CHKDSK) utility on the partition

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reserved for the Recovery Manager partition.

Open a Command Prompt - opens a Command Prompt window for the purpose of running

additional Windows utilities. Log on as the administrator to run the utilities.

Do not remove the HP Recovery Partition

In an attempt to reclaim additional space on the hard drive, some users want to remove the HP Recovery

Manager and the recovery partition. HP does not recommend the removal of the recovery partition from the hard

disk drive.

If it is critical to reclaim some of the storage space on the hard disk drive, HP recommends that you create theset of operating system recovery discs before making any changes. In the event of a hard drive failure, use the

recovery discs to recover the PC to the original operating condition. For additional information, see HP

Notebook PCs - Uninstalling The Recovery Manager .

Create Recovery disc on USB device

The default drive setting, for the Recovery Manager for HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario notebook PC models

sold with the Windows Vista or Windows 7 operating system, requires that backups be made using an optical

disc drive. For notebooks that do not have an internal optical disc drive, HP also provides a USB Recovery

Flash Disk Utility to create the required files on a USB flash disk. See, HP Notebook PCs - Creating A Recovery

Disk On A USB Flash Disk .

See also

HP Notebook PCs - Overview Of Repairing Or Reinstalling The Operating System

HP Notebook PCs - FAQ On Repairing Or Reinstalling The Operating System

HP Notebook PCs - Order Recovery Discs For Windows 7, Vista, Or XP

HP Notebook PCs - Create Restore Points Using System Restore In Windows 7 Or Vista

Other solutions customers found helpful

HP Notebook PCs -- Order Recovery Discs for Windows 7, Vista, or XP

HP Notebook PCs -- Uninstalling or Removing the Recovery Manager

HP Notebook PCs -- Using Microsoft System Restore

HP Notebook PCs -- Locate the Notebook Product Number or Model Number


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