Hewlett Packard PC didn't come with a restore CD?

[Jeff7181]

How likely is it that a Hewlett Packard PC bought from Walmart 3 years ago didn't come with a restore/rescue CD? I'm taking a look at someone's computer for them and it's loaded with spyware... it has a 4 GB hidden partition where I assume all the original install files are held, but the owner claims they didn't get any discs with it. Is there another way to start a clean install from that partition?

 

[imported_Kensai]

You could probably use a disc from another HP.

 

[Jeff7181]

Don't have one... maybe I could download an image...

 

[sswingle]

All HPs from that time period didn't come with CDs. You can call HP and request CDs, but that is a pain. It is really easy to access the restore partition though. When you are starting the computer up you push some key or key combination and it takes you into restore. Sorry I don't remember the exact one, but the HP book that comes with the computer should tell you, thats where I found it.

 

[villageidiot111]

I bought an HP a year and a half ago, and it came with no cds. I had to burn them myself with some sort of utility on it. All I remember is that I found the utility under Accessories on the start menu. Damn HP can't spare the 25 cents to make cds themselves.

 

[modedepe]

Yep, the hidden partition has the backup on it. I think you hit f8 on startup to get to it.

 

[Nohr]

I imagine you could look up the model number at HP for restore directions.

 

[Jeff7181]

Duh... I figured it out... there's a program in Windows (no, not Microsoft's own System Recovery) that makes it reboot into the recovery mode. Just waiting for it to finish now. Thanks for the suggestions. One of my friends is calling me an idiot cause I didn't know about that, lol. I always build my own PC's... don't have to deal with this stupid proprietary crap.

 

[helo7050]

IBM does this also. . it makes a restore quite easy since you dont' have to go around finding a cd. . you just press an F-key and it will rstore from a partion on your HDD. . i think its a great idea, since most people loose their CDs.

 

[sswingle]

Originally posted by: helo7050
IBM does this also. . it makes a restore quite easy since you dont' have to go around finding a cd. . you just press an F-key and it will rstore from a partion on your HDD. . i think its a great idea, since most people loose their CDs.

Unless the HD crashes. Then you are SOL

 

[shoRunner]

its f10

 

[Cheesetogo]

I heard if you press f 12, f4, shift, alt, 6, and print screen quickly in that order, any hp will explode. but the hdd will be fine, and when you boot up, instead of shwing the hp logo or whatever, assuming your hooked up to the net, it gives you acess to the hp secret files. You get the password by looking at the printscreen that you copied, and then you can delete everything in the data bse, casusing all of hps computer's and machines to change into fusion reactors and explode.

 

[mwmorph]

just burn a dvd of the partion. i have a alert telling me to burn my hp recovery cd every 3 weeks cause i never did it.