HP System Recovery in Windows XP

[Jeremiah58]

Hi,
A friend of mine has the HP computer bought new in Circuit City 2 years ago.
It seems that a time has come to reinstall Windows XP.
It is the HP which has System Recovery files on a hidden partition on a hard drive.
I've read the HP instructions here:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=&product=62776&docname=bph...45#bph07145_xp

The instructions about the procedure are clear to me, but I would like to know a few things:

- is it safe to do it by the user, or better to submitt the computer to HP service (what would be the price of such a service?)

- or would it be better to purchase Windows XP pro and perform a clean install on reformatted hard drive.

Thank you.

[ntscuser]

Whoever does it, System Recovery will wipe all data from the hard drive.

You need HP's OEM version of Windows XP in order to install the necessary drivers.

[Dv8ted2]

It is straight-forward.

If the user knows what to do, they can do it themselves.

[Nelson37]

Do you want to simply re-install XP, refreshing the windows files but leaving all files and programs intact, or do you want to wipe the hard drive completely clean and restore the system to the way it came out of the factory box?

You should have both options, but often they do not give you the option of the simple XP install. There is no need to use an HP OEM copy, you can install from any XP disk that is the SAME SERVICE PACK AS ALREADY INSTALLED, using your windows XP code number. Reinstall of XP will leave all drivers, programs, and files intact. Complete system restore will wipe out all user-installed programs and files.

If you are doing this to solve a significant problem or issue, the complete system restore is often the best choice. I usually do just the XP install for customers as a time-saving measure, unless the problem is severe.

[Jeremiah58]

Whoever does it, System Recovery will wipe all data from the hard drive.

You need HP's OEM version of Windows XP in order to install the necessary drivers.

Yes, I understand that System Recovery will wipe all data.
Thanks for the tip about the drivers.

It is straight-forward.

If the user knows what to do, they can do it themselves.

I would do it for him. I reinstall Windows XP from those original CD's with no problem, but I have never encounter this System Recovery hidden on a hard drive and I wouldn't like to see some weird error in the middle of the process, so I wanted to hear about eventual troubles.
But it sounds good if it is straight-forward.

Thank you.

[Jeremiah58]

Do you want to simply re-install XP, refreshing the windows files but leaving all files and programs intact, or do you want to wipe the hard drive completely clean and restore the system to the way it came out of the factory box?

I don't know, because I haven't seen the condition of the computer, yet. I would certainly like to preserve files and settings if possible. Wiping the hard drive and a clean install - restore would be the last thing to do if the damage is really severe.

...you can install from any XP disk that is the SAME SERVICE PACK AS ALREADY INSTALLED, using your windows XP code number.

Yes, service pack. I'm not sure if it came with Service pack 2. It is 2 years old system. If I use the HP OEM and it was XP with service pack 1, would it be possible and safe to install service pack 2 after the restore?

I usually do just the XP install for customers as a time-saving measure, unless the problem is severe.

Please tell me what are the common problems which you solve doing just the XP install (preserving the files and personal settings)?
Thank you.

[boldego]

A friend of mine had an HP and you could install windows and drivers from the D drive. I'm pretty sure it gave you the option of either preserving the files and setting or doing a clean install.

[ntscuser]

System Recovery will not only reformat the hard drive, it will reinstall all the junk files, spyware and adware that originally shipped with the PC and which you spent two years slowly getting rid of!

To the best of my knowledge you can only do a "repair install" of Windows XP using the same version of Windows XP as shipped with the HP. ie: you cannot repair XP Home using an XP Professional install disc. That's what I was told anyway.

[ntscuser]

A friend of mine had an HP and you could install windows and drivers from the D drive. I'm pretty sure it gave you the option of either preserving the files and setting or doing a clean install.

I think you'll find option was to perform a "non destructive recovery" which is exactly the same as System Restore. If that doesn't work then you are forced to do a full reformat.

[Nelson37]

When minor OS functions are not working correctly, particularly after uninstall of some program or other, a simple XP re-install usually solves this. Also, if customer does not have drivers for oddball hardware, or much more common, installation disks for software they really need, then this is the only safe route. Also if customer is not fully capable of re-installing all drivers and software, and these are fairly extensive, and they want to save some money, then just re-install XP.

However, if there are severe issues such as non-booting, hard freezes (no ctrl-alt-del), and/or they have loads of software accumulated over time that they never use, and particularly if there is a system restore disk back to original OOBE (out of box experience), AND they either have no personal documents or these have been or can be backed up, then the system restore is indicated.

There is no real rule on this, mostly a judgement call. Getting rid of unneeded software, and mainly all the associated DLL files and registry entries, which often are not removed by an uninstall, is the primary benefit of the system restore. Also, a freshly formatted hard drive can not contain a virus, and if there is a suspicion of a hardware failure, particularly if the PC is under warranty, the symptoms continuing after a system restore is usually accepted as proof of said hardware failure in order to obtain warranty parts, and/or to indicate a user-paid replacement. Most companies in fact demand that this be done before sending warranty parts.

From the statements on the listed HP site, it would appear that their so-called "non-destructive" system restore is not a straightforward XP re-install, as it mentions programs not running and contents of MyDocuments possibly deleted. XP re-install does not do this, unless they delete the windows directory or registry entries first. That would be destructive.

If you can determine the service pack, and use an XP installation disk of the same service pack, that is perfectly valid, mostly safe, and legal. Installing service pack 2 after the fact is no real problem, assuming your system and software is fully SP2 compatible. Some are not. The "mostly safe" is primarily related to a severely corrupted registry, which might be completely re-written, but if the registry is that bad there is most likely no other way to go anyway.

If your installation is SP2 and you use an SP1 disk to re-install, the original code number will not work.

[Jeremiah58]

There is no real rule on this, mostly a judgement call...
If you can determine the service pack, and use an XP installation disk of the same service pack, that is perfectly valid, mostly safe, and legal. Installing service pack 2 after the fact is no real problem, assuming your system and software is fully SP2 compatible. Some are not. The "mostly safe" is primarily related to a severely corrupted registry, which might be completely re-written, but if the registry is that bad there is most likely no other way to go anyway.
If your installation is SP2 and you use an SP1 disk to re-install, the original code number will not work.

Thank you very much for all the explanations and very useful help.

System Recovery will not only reformat the hard drive, it will reinstall all the junk files, spyware and adware that originally shipped with the PC and which you spent two years slowly getting rid of!

Yes, I'm aware of that.
I hope to solve the problem without that. Thank you.

[Faustus]

I've helped customers through a MILLION of these.

Depending of the version of the PC there might be a non destructive recovery type. HOwever you should know its not likely to fix anything, it will however screw stuff up because versions of files overwriting newer versions.

Okay maybe thats to far but lets just say every non destructive I've done leads to a destrutive recovery anyway.

Once the full recovery option is selected its very straight forward. What I mean is once they are into the recovery partition you will only have to make like 1 or 2 selections.

[indijay]

OK, here is another frustrated HP user. I bought my machine in Sweden and got Swedish operating system (when I was actually told before the order that it is english)
The system came loaded with tons of crap which I of course removed. In just 6 or 7 months, I needed to use system restore. Now it was a grave trouble when I don't know much of Swedish.

But this is how it goes, first and foremost whatever has happened to your OS otherwise, make CD and a DVD out of those files in the partition. There must be an option in Start Menu, just follow the instructions and make the back up CD and DVD (whatever applicable, in my case, it was both, don't know why though)
In my case, its the DVD which was system restore disc. Once you boot from this DVD, it asks you options to restore using destructive and non-destructive method. I believe that destructive method is the one that restores to factory settings so all your data, partitions and other stuff is gone and machine becomes as it was when it arrived to you. In non-destructive method, it only restores the OS.

I have NOT used non-destructive method but have successfully used destructive method and there is nothing for you to do but just click couple of OKs and then you see only HP advertisement for an hour to 90 minutes before it reboots with system restore complete.

If this doesn't satisfy your question, check online support using live chat. I found them helpful. The customer support in Sweden is a big joke, can you believe that the guy tells me he doesn't speak english but understands one???? I don't understand if HP Sweden reads resume at all or just looks for Swedish names??

[Jeremiah58]

I've helped customers through a MILLION of these.
Once the full recovery option is selected its very straight forward. What I mean is once they are into the recovery partition you will only have to make like 1 or 2 selections.

OK, here is another frustrated HP user...
But this is how it goes, first and foremost whatever has happened to your OS otherwise, make CD and a DVD out of those files in the partition...
In my case, its the DVD which was system restore disc. Once you boot from this DVD, it asks you options to restore using destructive and non-destructive method. I believe that destructive method is the one that restores to factory settings so all your data, partitions and other stuff is gone and machine becomes as it was when it arrived to you. In non-destructive method, it only restores the OS.

I have NOT used non-destructive method but have successfully used destructive method and there is nothing for you to do but just click couple of OKs and then you see only HP advertisement for an hour to 90 minutes before it reboots with system restore complete.

I appreciate your help and advices. Thank you.

[ntscuser]

At the time I bought my HP (in 2003) there was no option to make a backup disc. I had to buy a set of 7 CD's direct from HP at nominal cost. Copying the contents of the recovery partition won't work as they don't include the necessary boot files.

I have used the "non destructive recovery" option and all it did was activate Windows XP System Restore. It did not reinstall Windows in any shape or form and did not fix any problems.

HP motherboards have a nasty habit of changing the boot priority settings in BIOS all by themselves. I strongly advise removing any data drives from the case before activating System Recovery to avoid them being accidentally formatted. Also disconnect any external drives.

Most boot problems can be fixed using a third party boot sector repair facility. I use the one bundled with System Mechanic but practically any will do.

Final tip, I would clone the entire contents of the existing system drive to another hard drive before attemting any kind of repair. At least that way you can go back to your original setup if anything goes wrong. HP owners with Maxtor drives fitted can download MaxBlast free of charge from the manufacturers website. Other users can use the sample version of HD Clone or similar.

[MOVIEGEEK]

- or would it be better to purchase Windows XP pro and perform a clean install on reformatted hard drive.

Thank you.

That's what I would do because the restoration disc has old drivers and trial software.

[DarrellS]

You can order the discs from HP. My sister bought an HP at a pawn shop and couldn't get it to run so she ordered the discs from HP's website. I believe there were 7 discs and it took less than a week for them to arrive. Don't remember the price ($30 or $40).

[Jeremiah58]

You can order the discs from HP. My sister bought an HP at a pawn shop and couldn't get it to run so she ordered the discs from HP's website. I believe there were 7 discs and it took less than a week for them to arrive. Don't remember the price ($30 or $40).

7 discs!?
That's quite an installation of an OS!
What's on them? XP home, XP pro and Vista together, HP way!?
How long that would take? 4-5 hours I reckon.

Thank you very much for all your advices.
I'll see what's wrong with that computer in a few days and try to decide what to do.
From my point of view - I hate that HP already!

[ntscuser]

7 discs!?
That's quite an installation of an OS!
What's on them? XP home, XP pro and Vista together, HP way!?
How long that would take? 4-5 hours I reckon.

It's just a full boot version of Windows XP home, various hardware drivers, bundled programs and assorted utilities. It takes about 50 mins to load them all and if the installation doesn't complete for any reason, you have to begin all over again. I've had to do it at least four times on the same machine since last November

[Jeremiah58]

I've had to do it at least four times on the same machine since last November

Seems like you've got yourself a hell of a sport with your computer. Never got bored when you have to reinstall everything every 2 months.

I would kill both - the computer and the person who sold it to me, with my 12 gauge auto-loader shotgun.

[ntscuser]

The problem is this. If the PC was made in say 2002, every time you use System Recovery the PC is restored to the exact same condition it was in 2002. Every time you install an update to drivers or a Service Pack, you have to reboot. Every time you reboot after a new update there is a chance the PC will crash.

Likewise, the boot discs supplied by HP contain the exact same version of the software as they did when the PC was first built with none of the later updates. I've learned to leave Windows XP exactly as it came to avoid having to go through the process all over again and keep the driver updates in a single folder on a separate hard drive for easy access.

[Denvers Dawgs]

I strongly advise removing any data drives from the case before activating System Recovery to avoid them being accidentally formatted. Also disconnect any external drives.

No need for this. I have done many System restores, on my HP with out any problems (bought back in 2001). All you need to do is "Right Click" on my computer, Choose System Restore Tab, High light which Drive you want to shut system restore off of, then "click" settings and check the box marked "TURN OFF SYSTEM RESTORE ON THIS DRIVE". Now whenever you choose to do a system restore that drive will never be touched. I found this out the hard way when I was a newb to PCs. I do a system restore(once a month or 2, due to downloading all sorts of trial apps and such (spyware adware gets added)) and have never had a problem, after doing a system restore

Remember I am taking about a SYSTEM RESTORE (Start Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore) not a FULL RECOVERY which wipes the PC of any Apps and files that were not installed the day it was bought.

[ntscuser]

I strongly advise removing any data drives from the case before activating System Recovery to avoid them being accidentally formatted. Also disconnect any external drives.

No need for this. I have done many System restores, on my HP with out any problems (bought back in 2001). All you need to do is "Right Click" on my computer, Choose System Restore Tab, High light which Drive you want to shut system restore off of, then "click" settings and check the box marked "TURN OFF SYSTEM RESTORE ON THIS DRIVE". Now whenever you choose to do a system restore that drive will never be touched. I found this out the hard way when I was a newb to PCs. I do a system restore(once a month or 2, due to downloading all sorts of trial apps and such (spyware adware gets added)) and have never had a problem, after doing a system restore

Remember I am taking about a SYSTEM RESTORE (Start Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore) not a FULL RECOVERY which wipes the PC of any Apps and files that were not installed the day it was bought.

That's probably why I wrote "System Recovery" and not "System Restore"

[Denvers Dawgs]

Good point.....haha....my bad

[DarrellS]

How long that would take? 4-5 hours I reckon.

It took me all night. It would load a few files and then eject the CD and tell me to put the same CD in over and over until it installed that CD, then it would ask for the next CD and do the same thing over and over until all 7 discs were installed and like ntscuser stated, it it doesn't install right, you have to start all over again.

From my point of view - I hate that HP already!

I won't buy another factory built PC. When I bought my HP in 2000, I got the extended warranty from 3 years to 5 years. After I had it three years, I installed a video card and started having all kinds of problems so I called support and when I gave my model number and personal info to the computer generated helper, I received a message that my computer was no longer covered.

When I bought it at Circuit City, I told them I wanted a video and graphics machine and was willing to pay $2000 for it and they sold me a $1200 HP Celeron (I didn't know anything about processors and Intel Celeron sounded pretty special to someone who knew nothing about computers). When I tried to take it back a couple weeks later after discovering that it wouldn't do what I wanted it to do, they told me they only had a 14 day return policy and refused to take it back or exchange it.
I'll never buy anything else from Circuit City. They've screwed me every time I've been in their store.