Backing up, restoring, and recovering in Windows 7
Your computer includes tools provided by HP and Windows to help you safeguard your information and retrieve it if you ever need to. These tools will help you return your computer to a proper working state or even back to the original factory state, all with simple steps.
This section provides information about the following processes:
●Creating recovery media and backups
●Restoring and recovering your system
NOTE: This section describes an overview of backing up, restoring, and recovering options. For more details about the Windows Backup and Restore tools provided, see Help and Support. To access Help and Support, select Start > Help and Support.
Recovery after a system failure is only as good as your most recent backup.
1.After you successfully set up the computer, create recovery media. This media can be used to reinstall the original operating system in cases where the hard drive is corrupted or has been replaced. See Creating recovery media on page 261.
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 Help and Support. To access Help and Support, select Start > Help and Support.
3.As you add photos, video, music, and other personal files, create a backup of your personal information. 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. In case of system failure, you can use the backup files to restore the contents of your computer. See Backing up your information on page 264.
NOTE: HP recommends that you print the recovery procedures and save them for later use, in case of system instability.
After you successfully set up the computer, create recovery media. The media can be used to reinstall the original operating system in cases where the hard drive is corrupted or has been replaced.
Backing up, restoring, and recovering in Windows 7 261