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When the term wipe is used here a secure erase in meant, not a format which is not all the same thing, all a format does is remove the format configuration data and a secure erase over-writes the entire HDD with zeroes.
When the term wipe is used here a secure erase in meant, not a format which is not all the same thing, all a format does is remove the format configuration data and a secure erase over-writes the entire HDD with zeroes.
caperjack, if you truly wipe the hard drive, all partitioning information is gone and that includes your Recovery partition. If you have a wipe program that wipes individual partitions then I would agree with you but what has been recommended here is not that, it is a full drive wipe.
BFK, the op said "How do I reset Windows 7 to factory" then said "want to make sure everything is absolutely wiped clean before I ship this back". Can't have it both ways unless he has a Recovery DVD or has created the Recovery discs as Gregg mentioned.
If he wipes the drive he no longer has the capability of restoring to Factort state.
i stand corrected ,thanks, and sorry for the missinfo
Hello again caperjack.
If ever you don't want to wipe the entire HDD, you can do a partition-specific wipe of any single partition using the Partition Wizard Bootable Disk (PWBD) have a look at Option Three in the tutorial at this link below.
Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD
Ah ha! That's the one betelgeuse4721 needs. Does a good wipe of his boot partition and leaves his recovery partition intact.
Purchased a HP DV6 (going by memory i am at work right now) its a floor model (demo). There are a bunch of programs I do not use and I am getting a reoccurring message from hp manager. (its actually not working). Never done a factory restore before and believe by reading some of your posts that maybe I should do this. Get a fresh start. But my concern is since I bought it with no windows 7 start-up disc (it was pre-installed ), how would I make sure that I don't screw this up.
I would like to be able to just be able to reinstall the programs/software I do own with a clean slate. What first steps do I need to do with what I want to keep before I hit factory restore. Hope I make sense.Thanks for any help received.
InformationWe always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?
Pressing the f11 key during startup on a computer with an HP factory image will start the system recovery process even if the prompt is not displayed.
How to use HP Recovery:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...s&dlc=en&lc=en
Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 7) | HP® Support
How to make HP Recovery DVD disks:
Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery | HP® Support
How to make HP Recovery USB disk:
Using the Downloadable USB Recovery Flash Disk Creation Utility HP Pavilion dv6700z CTO Entertainment Notebook PC | HP® Support
or
You can Order HP Recovery Disks from here:
Country-Language Selector | HP® Support
Theog,
No recovery disc nor startup repair cd was made. Purchased about a yr ago. And it was a demo. so people had been"using" it in store.
When you speak of recovery usb disk. Is this for the usb ports? Or just to have on a flash drive? Sorry for my ignorance...