Recovering From Software Problems; Pc Repair Overview; Restarting Your Pc; Turning Off Your Pc - HP Pavilion w5100 - Desktop PC Troubleshooting Manual

Recovering from Software
Problems
The PC uses the operating system and installed
software programs during normal operation. If
your PC works improperly or stops because of the
software, you may be able to repair it.
Some software repairs are as simple as restarting
your PC, and others require performing a System
Recovery from files on your hard disk drive.
Your hard disk drive contains a System Recovery
image that includes all the software files that were
originally installed on your PC at the factory. In the
unlikely event that you need to recover your system,
it is easy to do so using this recovery image.
Because all the necessary information is contained in
the System Recovery image on your hard disk drive,
recovery discs are not included in the accessory box.
As a backup, you can make your own copy of this
system recovery image onto CD or DVD discs as
described in "Creating System Recovery Discs" later
in this document.
You should also make the HP PC Recovery Tools CD.
This CD contains utilities that allow you to make
changes to your hard disk drive. See "Creating a
Recovery Tools CD" for more information.
NOTE: It is important that you perform the PC repair
methods in the order described in this document.

PC Repair Overview

This section lists the available methods to fix your PC
if you are experiencing software problems. Detailed
instructions about each method are in the sections that
follow. You must perform the procedures in the order
listed here.
•

Restarting your PC

•

Turning off your PC

•
Updating drivers
•
Microsoft System Restore
•
Application Recovery and Driver Recovery
•
System Recovery
NOTE: If you are replacing a hard disk drive, you
only have to run the System Recovery.
Additionally, your PC may include a Software
Repair Wizard (select models only). You can
use this wizard to access many of the repair
methods described in this chapter, including:
•
Creating System Recovery discs
•
Microsoft System Restore
•
Application Recovery and Driver Recovery
•
System Recovery
You can start the Software Repair Wizard by double-
clicking the desktop icon or clicking Start, All
Programs, PC Help & Tools, and then Software
Repair Wizard.
Restarting Your PC
Restarting is the simplest repair method for your PC.
When you restart, the PC reloads the operating system
and software into its memory.
To restart your PC:
1 Close all open programs and windows.
2 Click Start.
3 Choose Turn Off Computer.
4 Click Restart.
Turning Off Your PC
When you turn off your PC and then turn it on again,
you force the PC to reload the operating system into
its memory, which clears some tracking information.
This may eliminate some problems that can remain
after performing a restart.
To turn off your PC:
1 Close all open programs and windows.
2 Click Start.
3 Choose Turn Off Computer.
4 Click Turn Off.
5 Start your PC by pressing the On button.
PC Troubleshooting and System Recovery Guide
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