System Recovery; Creating Recovery Discs - HP TouchSmart 300-1025 User 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 7 Start menu" on
page 55.
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.
Choosing recovery discs
To create recovery discs, your computer must have a DVD writer.
Use DVD+R or DVD-R blank media to create your system recovery discs.
You cannot use CDs or DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW DL, DVD-RW DL, DVD+R DL, or DVD-R DL 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.
The number of discs in the recovery disc set depends on your computer model (typically 1–3 DVDs). The
Recovery Disc Creator program tells you the specific number of blank discs needed to make the set.
The process takes some time to verify that the information written on the disc is correct. You can quit the
process at any time. The next time you run the program, it resumes where it left off.
To create recovery discs
1 Close all open programs.
2 Tap the Start button, All Programs, Recovery Manager, and then tap Recovery Disc
Creation. If prompted, tap Yes to allow the program to continue.
3 Follow the onscreen instructions. Label each disc as you make it (for example, Recovery 1,
Recovery 2).
4 Store the recovery discs in a safe place.
54
User Guide (Features may vary by model)