Using the Recovery Tools CD, System Restore

To use this program, your PC must have a CD-RW drive, DVD Writer drive, or other drive that can write to the CDs or DVDs. If necessary, purchase a Windows XP-compatible drive from your local PC or electronics store.

The number of CDs/DVDs in the recovery set depends on your PC model. The program tells you the number of blank discs needed to make the set. The process takes some time, including up to 15 minutes per disc 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 begins where you left off.

To run the Recovery CD-DVD Creator program:

1Close any open programs. To close programs, click X in the upper-right corner of each window.

2Click Start on the taskbar.

3Choose All Programs.

4Choose PC Help & Tools.

5Click Compaq Recovery CD-DVD Creator. The creator window appears.

6Follow the onscreen instructions. Label each disc as you make it.

Store the System Recovery discs in a safe place.

Using the Recovery Tools CD

Your PC allows you to create (burn) a Recovery Tools CD. After you make the Compaq Recovery Tools CD, you can use it to:

•Read instructions to use each utility on the Recovery Tools CD.

•Start the System Recovery program from the recovery partition.

•Remove the System Recovery partition from your PC hard disk drive to increase space for data.

•Create a new data partition on your PC hard disk drive.

•Start the Microsoft Recovery Console (a utility from Microsoft that can perform operating system diagnostics and repairs).

WARNING: Before using the Compaq Recovery Tools CD to change your hard disk drive, make System Recovery CDs for your PC by using the Compaq Recovery CD-DVD Creator program. You cannot make System Recovery CDs after you remove the system recovery partition.

You must create (burn) the Recovery Tools CD before you can use it.

To Create or to Start the Recovery Tools CD:

1Click Start on the taskbar.

2Choose All Programs.

3Choose PC Help & Tools.

4Click Compaq Recovery Tools CD. The tools window appears.

5Follow the onscreen instructions.

Store the Recovery Tools CD in a safe place.

System Restore

WARNING: Try System Restore before using the Compaq System Recovery program.

If software on your hard drive accidentally gets erased or damaged, first use the Microsoft System Restore feature in Windows XP to restore the PC system and program settings.

System Restore returns the PC settings to a selected restore point without affecting user programs or document files. For more information, type System Restore into the Search box in Help and Support.

To Start System Restore:

1Close all open programs.

2Click the Start button.

3Choose All Programs.

4Choose Accessories.

5Choose System Tools.

6Click System Restore. Follow the onscreen instructions.