System Recovery
When other methods of repairing your system software (like System Restore or Application Recovery) fail, you may want to use the HP System Recovery program as a last resort to reinstall the software.
When necessary, you can reinstall the operating system and the application software that was originally installed on the PC at the factory by using the System Recovery program.
Warning: The HP System Recovery program will delete any data or programs that you installed after purchase. Be sure to back up any data that you want to keep onto a removable disc.
The System Recovery program uses a special recovery partition on the hard disk drive that stores an image of the original software.
38 Updated HP Media Center PC Information
Note: The System Recovery image is in a partition area of the hard disk drive and takes up part of the total drive space. This disk space is not usually available for your use.
In the unlikely event that you replace the hard disk drive, or somehow damage the data in the special recovery partition on the hard disk drive, use recovery discs to reinstall the operating system and software to the hard disk drive. See “System Recovery Using Recovery Discs.”
Make your own recovery discs (CDs or DVD) before you need them; see “Using HP PC Recovery