11 Backing up, restoring, and recovering
Your computer includes tools provided by the operating system and HP to help you safeguard your information and retrieve it if ever needed.
Creating backups
1.Use HP Recovery Manager to create recovery media immediately after you set up the working computer.
2.As you add hardware and software programs, create system restore points.
3.As you add photos, video, music, and other personal files, create a backup of your system and personal information.
Creating recovery media to recover the original system
After you successfully set up the computer, you should create recovery discs or a recovery flash drive using HP Recovery Manager. You will need these recovery discs or recovery flash drive to perform a system recovery should the hard drive become corrupted. A system recovery reinstalls the original operating system, and then configures the settings for the default programs.
What you need to know
●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 flash drive or the number of blank DVD discs that will be required.
Use
●If your computer does not include an integrated optical drive, you can use an optional external optical drive (purchased separately) to create recovery discs, or you can obtain recovery discs for your computer from the HP website. If you use an external optical drive, it must be connected directly to a USB port on the computer, not 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.
●The creation process can take up to an hour or more. Do not interrupt the creation process.
●Store the recovery media in a safe location, separate from the computer.
●If necessary, you can exit the program before you have finished creating the recovery media. The next time you open HP Recovery Manager, you will be prompted to continue the process.
62 Chapter 11 Backing up, restoring, and recovering