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Getting Started Guide
Chapter 5: Backup and recovery
HP recommends that you create either a set of recovery discs or a recovery flash drive to
ensure that you can restore your computer to its original factory state if the hard drive fails, or
if for any reason you cannot restore using the recovery partition tools. Create these discs or
the flash drive after setting up the computer for the first time.
✎
HP Recovery Manager allows the creation of only one set of recovery discs or one
recovery flash drive. Handle these discs or the flash drive carefully and keep them in a
safe place.
✎
If your computer does not include an integrated optical drive, you can use an optional
external optical drive (purchased separately) to create recovery discs, or you can
purchase recovery discs for your computer from the HP Web site. If you use an external
optical drive, it must be connected directly to a USB port on the computer, not to a USB
port on an external device, such as a USB hub.
Guidelines:
■
Purchase high-quality DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-R DL, or DVD+R DL discs.
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Read-write discs, such as CD-RW, DVD±RW, double-layer DVD±RW, and
BD-RE (rewritable Blu-ray) discs, are not compatible with the Recovery Manager
software.
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The computer must be connected to AC power during this process.
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Only one set of recovery discs or one recovery flash drive can be created per computer.
✎
If you are creating recovery discs, number each disc before
inserting into the optical drive.
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If necessary, you can exit the program before you have finished creating the recovery
discs. The next time you open Recovery Manager, you will be prompted to continue the
backup creation process.
To create a set of recovery discs or a recovery flash drive:
1. Select
Start > All Programs > Recovery Manager > Recovery Media Creation
.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Recovery Manager software allows you to repair or restore the computer to its original
factory state. Recovery Manager works from recovery discs, from a recovery flash drive, or
from a dedicated recovery partition (select models only) on the hard drive.
✎
A system restore needs to be performed if the computer hard drive fails or if all attempts
to correct any functional computer issues fail. A system restore should be used as a final
attempt to correct computer issues.
Creating restore media
Performing a system restore
