System Recovery; Creating Recovery Discs; Choosing Recovery Discs - HP s5120f - Pavilion - Slimline Getting Started Manual

System Recovery

System recovery completely erases and reformats the hard disk drive, deleting all data files
you have created. System recovery reinstalls the operating system, programs, and drivers.
However, you must reinstall any software that was not installed on the computer at the
factory. This includes software that came on CDs included in the computer accessory box,
and software programs you installed after purchase.
You must choose one of the following methods to perform a system recovery:
Recovery Image — Run the system recovery from a recovery image stored on your hard
disk drive. The recovery image is a file that contains a copy of the original factory-
shipped software. To perform a system recovery from a recovery image, see "System
recovery from the Windows Vista Start Menu" on page 64.
NOTE: The recovery image uses a portion of the hard disk drive that cannot be used for
data storage.
Recovery Discs — Run the system recovery from a set of recovery discs that you create
from files stored on your hard disk drive. To create recovery discs, see the next section.

Creating recovery discs

Complete the procedure described in this section to create a set of recovery discs from the
recovery image stored on your hard disk drive. This image contains the operating system and
software program files that were originally installed on your computer at the factory.
You can create only one set of recovery discs for your computer. Furthermore, the recovery
discs you create can be used only with your computer.
After creating the recovery discs, you can delete the recovery image if you want to make
extra space available on your hard disk drive.
NOTE: Do not delete the recovery image until you have made recovery discs.

Choosing recovery discs

To create recovery discs, your computer must have a DVD writer.
Use DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+R DL, or DVD-R DL blank media to create your system
recovery discs.
You cannot use DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW DL, DVD-RW DL, or CD discs to create
recovery discs.
Use high-quality discs to create your set of recovery discs. The verification standard for the
recovery disc creation process is very high. You may see error messages such as Recording
failure when writing disc or Error detected during disc verification.
Your discs may be rejected if they are not defect-free. You will be prompted to insert a new
blank disc to try again. It is normal that some of your discs may be rejected.
Troubleshooting and Maintenance 63