NOTE: The process of creating recovery media is lengthy. You can quit the process at any time. The next time you initiate the process, it resumes where it left off.

NOTE: Do not use media cards for creating recovery media. The system may not be able to boot up from a media card and you may not be able to run system recovery.

To create recovery discs:

1.Close all open programs.

2.Click the Start button, click All Programs, click Security and Protection, click Recovery Manager, and then click HP Recovery Media Creation. If prompted, click Yes to allow the program to continue.

3.Click Create recovery media using blank DVD(s), and then click Next.

4.Follow the on-screen instructions. Label each disc after you make it (for example, Recovery 1, Recovery 2), and then store the discs in a secure place.

To create a recovery USB flash drive:

NOTE: You must use a USB flash drive with a capacity of at least 8 GB.

NOTE: Recovery Media Creation formats the USB flash drive, deleting any files on it.

1.Close all open programs.

2.Insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on the computer.

3.Click the Start button, click All Programs, click Security and Protection, click Recovery Manager, and then click Recovery Media Creation.

4.Click Create recovery media with a USB flash drive, and then click Next.

5.Select the USB flash drive from the list of media. The program will let you know how much storage is required to create the recovery drive. If the USB flash drive does not have enough storage capacity, it will appear grayed out, and you must replace it with a larger USB flash drive. Click Next.

6.Follow the on-screen instructions. When the process is complete, label the USB flash drive and store it in a secure place.

Creating recovery discs with HP Recovery Disc Creator (select models only)

HP Recovery Disc Creator is a software program that offers an alternative way to create recovery discs on select models. After you successfully set up the computer, you can create recovery discs using HP Recovery Disc Creator. The recovery discs allow you to reinstall your original operating system as well as select drivers and applications if the hard drive becomes corrupted. HP Recovery Disc Creator creates two kinds of recovery discs:

●Windows 7 operating system DVD—Installs the operating system without additional drivers or applications.

●Driver Recovery DVD—Installs specific drivers and applications only, in the same way that the HP Software Setup utility installs drivers and applications.

To create recovery discs, your computer must have a DVD writer. Use any of the following types of discs (purchased separately): DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, or DVD±RW. The discs you use will depend on the type of optical drive you are using.

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Chapter 1 Getting Started in Windows 7