Windows 7: Using recovery discs

My computer is starting to get full of junk for example leftovers from downloads that have since been deleted.

What I'd like to do is to erase (reformat) everything from my hard drive including all partitions, and load on a fresh copies of everything.

The computer is a laptop from HP Model G60t600 and when I first bought it I made recovery discs that were stored on the hard drive partition D or in other words the D drive.

But I don't know how to use them. My main concern is that after I erase everything I won't be able to boot the computer.

I don't know what's on the recovery discs and it's a new computer that I've never tried this on before.



I did it with my old computer and XP and I'd like to do the same thing with the new one and windows 7

Help!

You either have DVD to recover or a recovery partition.
If you have a recovery partion, you hit f11 on boot
May I suggest, back up your stuff and try the recovery partition. If it works you will be all set.
It will be like the day you took it home. It is called a factory recovery
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01854060.pdf

Hello Andy Green, welcome to Seven Forums!



After you have made back-ups of anything you don't want to lose; have a look at the info below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

To answer your specific questions...

The recovery dvds contain an image of your computer's windows partition in the state in which you purchased it. That means, if you set the computer to boot from optical drive first (you can set this priority in the bios or by pressing F12 at startup to invoke the boot menu) and insert dvd no. 1 in the tray/slot, your computer will start the recovery process. You'll be prompted to insert subsequent dvds, at the end of it, your computer will be exactly like it was when you unboxed it. Any user created data and apps/drivers on C: drive will be lost unless you backed them up. All OEM bloatware that came preinstalled on your machine will also be back.

And dont worry, the dvds should work fine if you followed the proper procedure to create them. If they dont you have several options- make an image of your current install using macrium, then restore from it or recover using the recovery partition on your hard drive or do a clean install and activate using your sticker key.

Here's some interesting info you may find useful, you can do a clean install using only a downloaded ISO without creating bootable media; and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Clean Install Windows 7 from the Windows 7 Desktop

After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media. I

If you can find, or download an exact Windows version installation media that the PC shipped with you can do a clean install using the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key.

How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone

If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the information in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installation media to install your version using the same activation method I posted above.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

After you have made backups of everything you care to save, the best method is to do a complete wipe secure erase of the entire Hard Disk Drive first, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old drivers/programs, giving you the best possible space to install Windows to.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

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The Recovery partition is more stable so I would run it first from Windows or by tapping F11 at bootup - back up all of your files first.

Save the Recovery Disks in case of HD failure or if Recovery Partition fails. Disks will reinstall the Recov Partition, too.

If you'd rather have a cleaner install leaving behind all of the HP bloatware and useless utilities (which have better versions built into Windows 7) here are tips for clean reinstalling factory OEM: re-install windows 7

If you clean reinstall you can even use the HP Recovery Disks to extract any favorite apps (like Works) that you need: HP 3rd Party Software After Clean Win 7 Install

If you decide to use Factory Recovery and want to clean up the bloatware, here are tips for that: HP laptop has used up all four primary partitions

Do you mean you made recovery disks from a recovery partition, D: ?

As mentioned general personal data backup but also an image of your system now would be a good idea in case anything goes wrong.

Also, paid third party software will need to be deactivated before being reinstalled.