Many HP computers are shipped with a recovery partition on the hard drive. This separate and dedicated partition is used for backup and recovery of system files and drivers in case the system becomes unstable. Using the recovery partition allows you to restore the HP to its original state.
Note: Backup your data often using HP Recovery Manager or other backup software to multiple sets of drives to avoid losing important files in the event of a system crash.
How to Boot an HP Recovery Partition?
- Press the power button to start the HP. Press and hold the F11 key to launch the HP Recovery Manager from the recovery partition.
- Backup any files you want to save. Follow the HP Recovery Manager instructions to save any important files before continuing with the recovery process.
- Continue the recovery process. After backing up files to an external device or CD/DVDs, select the option to perform a system recovery.
- Obtain and install updates for the HP. After your system reboots, use HP update manager as well as Windows update to restore all critical updates to your HP computer.
- Make a set of recovery disks. Use HP Recovery Manager and select “Advanced Options” to create a set of recovery disks that can be used in the event that your HP cannot access the hard drive.
How to Repair an HP Recovery Partition?
Many newer Hewlett Packard (HP) computers can be recovered from data stored on a partition on the hard drive. If this partition or the data stored within it becomes damaged, you will not be able to restore your computer’s files in the event of data loss. Fortunately, the HP recovery partition can be repaired without too much difficulty. However, it’s important to back up your files because you will have to format your hard drive and reinstall your operating system to repair the damaged partition.
- Navigate to the Hewlett Packard website. Search on the model name and number of your computer. Under “Select a product,” choose the model computer that matches the one you own. Under “Product Quick Links,” click “Software and driver downloads.”
- Select your operating system. Scroll down to “CD-ROM order page: Recovery Disks” and click on the link. If the recovery disks for your model computer are no longer available on that page of the HP website, search for your computer model in the HP Parts and Accessories store area. If HP doesn’t have the recovery CDs in the store, order them from an auction site such as eBay or check a reputable computer parts retailer. Back up all of your data to removable media while you are waiting for the CDs to arrive.
- Disconnect all peripheral devices from your computer when you get the recovery CDs. Leave only the power cable, monitor, mouse and keyboard connected. Place the first recovery CD in the optical drive you use to boot your computer. Restart your computer.
- Select “Advanced Options” from the recovery CD menu. Select “Exit to DOS.”
- Type “FDISK” at the command prompt. Press “Enter.” Press “Y” and press “Enter” again.
- Press “1” to create the DOS partition and make it active. Press “Y” and then “Enter” to continue. Ensure that the first CD from your recovery disk set is still in the optical drive you use to boot the computer. Press the “Esc” button to restart your computer.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to restore the recovery files from the CDs to the recovery partition. Remain near the computer so that you can supply the additional CDs when prompted to do so. After the files have been rewritten to the recovery partition, the HP software will begin to recover your computer’s files from the partition.
If necessary, enter your computer system’s BIOS setup program to change the boot priority so that the computer boots from the CD drive, then restart the computer again.