Creating recovery media

See Creating recovery media on page 73

2.As you add hardware and software programs, create system restore points. A system restore point is a snapshot of certain hard drive contents saved by Windows System Restore at a specific time. A system restore point contains information that Windows uses, such as registry settings. Windows creates a system restore point for you automatically during a Windows update and during other system maintenance (such as a software update, security scanning, or system diagnostics). You can also manually create a system restore point at any time. For more information and steps for creating specific system restore points, see Windows Help and Support. From the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and Support.

3.As you add photos, video, music, and other personal files, create a backup of your personal information. Windows File History can be set to regularly and automatically back up files from libraries, desktop, contacts, and favorites. If files are accidentally deleted from the hard drive and they can no longer be restored from the Recycle Bin, or if files become corrupted, you can restore the files that you backed up using File History. Restoring files is also useful if you ever choose to reset the computer by reinstalling Windows or choose to recover using HP Recovery Manager.

NOTE: File History is not enabled by default, so you must turn it on.

For more information and steps for enabling Windows File History, see Windows Help and Support. From the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and Support.

HP Recovery Manager is a software program that offers a way to create recovery media after you successfully set up the computer. Recovery media can be used to perform system recovery if the hard drive becomes corrupted. System recovery reinstalls the original operating system and the software programs installed at the factory, and then configures the settings for the programs. Recovery media can also be used to customize the system or aid in the replacement of a hard drive.

●Only one set of Recovery media can be created. Handle these recovery tools carefully, and keep them in a safe place.

●HP Recovery Manager examines the computer and determines the required storage capacity for the blank USB flash drive or the number of blank DVD discs that will be required.

●To create recovery discs, your computer must have an optical drive with DVD writer capability, and you must use only high-quality blank DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL discs. Do not use rewritable discs such as CD±RW, DVD±RW, double-layer DVD±RW, discs; they are not compatible with HP Recovery Manager software. Or instead you can use a high-quality blank USB flash drive.

●If your computer does not include an integrated optical drive with DVD writer capability, but you would like to create DVD recovery media, you can use an external optical drive (purchased separately) to create recovery discs, or you can obtain recovery discs for your computer from the HP website. For U.S. support, go to http://www.hp.com/go/contactHP. For worldwide support, go to http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/wwcontact_us.html. If you use an external optical drive, it must be connected directly to a USB port on the computer; the drive cannot be connected to a USB port on an external device, such as a USB hub.

●Be sure that the computer is connected to AC power before you begin creating the recovery media.

Creating recovery media and backups