HP System Restore Disks ?

[Robert11]

Hello,

Thinking of replacing a hd in an older HP Desktop pc.

When I got the pc 3 yrs ago, I did what they said to in the documentation and created a set of three
"Restore Disks"

As I wouldn't want to buy a new MS W7 Program disk for the new hd, is it likely that these restore disks
have W7 on them ?

Thanks,
B

 

[windude99]

Hello,

Thinking of replacing a hd in an older HP Desktop pc.

When I got the pc 3 yrs ago, I did what they said to in the documentation and created a set of three
"Restore Disks"

As I wouldn't want to buy a new MS W7 Program disk for the new hd, is it likely that these restore disks
have W7 on them ?

Thanks,
B

The discs will not have Windows 7 on them. Did you upgrade to Windows 7 or clean install?

 

[Robert11]

Hi,

Thanks for help.

The pc came with W7.

The first week I had it, I created the three system restore disks as the instructions recommended.

I tried the restore disks last week knowing that it would wipe everything out, which it did.
But, it worked for about another week before the total quitting now.

It did reinstall w7, which leads me to believe that it,is,on the restore disks.
You believe not, though ? Why, please ?

What do other folks do when installing a new hd; buy another w7 program, disc ?

Regards,
B.



B.

 

[TypeR]

Windude99, I thought you said the original OS was Vista? :sarc:

 

[windude99]

Hi,

Thanks for help.

The pc came with W7.

The first week I had it, I created the three system restore disks as the instructions recommended.

I tried the restore disks last week knowing that it would wipe everything out, which it did.
But, it worked for about another week before the total quitting now.

It did reinstall w7, which leads me to believe that it,is,on the restore disks.
You believe not, though ? Why, please ?

What do other folks do when installing a new hd; buy another w7 program, disc ?

Regards,
B.



B.

You can use those restore discs after you install the new hard drive. I would also recommend you try installing Windows 7 fresh instead of using the recovery discs that come with all of the bloatware that your pc came with when it was new: Windows 7 ISO x86 and x64 Official Direct Download Links (Ultimate, Professional and Home Premium) « My Digital Life

 

[TypeR]

Surely the back up disks will be the best option as they will have all his drivers readily available.

 

[windude99]

Surely the back up disks will be the best option as they will have all his drivers readily available.

I told him about the Digital River download links just in case he wanted to put a fresh, bloat free, copy of Windows 7 on his pc.

 

[TypeR]

Bob. I would highly recommend that you use your System restore disks to re-install your operating system, not only will they have all your relevant drivers on the disks, but it is, in my opinion, the easiest way forward.

 

[windude99]

Windude99, I thought you said the original OS was Vista? :sarc:

Sorry I was in 2011 mode and thought of 3 years being 2008 and Vista was only available then. I do agree that the OP should go with the recovery discs, since they are the easiest option. I put the idea of clean installing out there of the OP wanted to do that instead.

 

[TypeR]

No worries, we're all here to help.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Is the old disk failing? Why are you replacing?

 

[TypeR]

http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/232368-replacing-internal-hd-desktop.html

 

[gregrocker]

You can try the Recovery Disks you wisely made. But as mentioned they will restore all of the preinstalled bloatware and duplicate factory utilities which have much better versions built into Win7 itself.

You'll get a superior install if you Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Everything you need is in the blue link to get a perfect reinstall.

 

[Robert11]

Hello,

Thank you all for the really good advice and thoughts.
Much appreciated.

Question: if I use the Restore Disks on a new internal hd, will they do the formatting
also that I believe is required for a new hd ?

If not, how do I take care of the formatting requirement ?

Are there different format types ie fat, nfta (might have this name wrong), or...?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[windude99]

Hello,

Thank you all for the really good advice and thoughts.
Much appreciated.

Question: if I use the Restore Disks on a new internal hd, will they do the formatting
also that I believe is required for a new hd ?

If not, how do I take care of the formatting requirement ?

Are there different format types ie fat, nfta (might have this name wrong), or...?

Thanks,
Bob

The discs will format the hard drive.

 

[gregrocker]

Unless you are promted to initialize the HD (choose MBR Basic) when you plug it in, the disks should take care of that. If not post back any error message.

 

[Robert11]

From OP

Hi,

Thanks so much for,all the help and suggestions.

Have ordered a new hd from Amazon, and will see how it goes when it arrives next week.

Still a bit confused re this:

As of now, I am assuming that the three hp System Restore Disks I made when I
got the pc already have W7 on them.

So, no need to try the MS W7 Program Disc I have first, before I do anything else.

True ?

Regards,
Bob

 

[Kaktussoft]

Hi,

Thanks so much for,all the help and suggestions.

Have ordered a new hd from Amazon, and will see how it goes when it arrives next week.

Still a bit confused re this:

As of now, I am assuming that the three hp System Restore Disks I made when I
got the pc already have W7 on them.

So, no need to try the MS W7 Program Disc I have first, before I do anything else.

True ?

Regards,
Bob

Most likely booting from DVD1 cleans the whole disk, creates a partiton and puts his stuff in it. Then it asks for DVD2 and puts files in same partition. Same for DVD3. Then it boots from that partition.

He asks something like "Do you want to go back to factory settings?" You respond YES. Or maybe he sees there's nothing on disk and installs automatically.

He creates one or two extra partitions and puts files on them. It's not an installation but more like a copy.

After finishing you reboot and boot automatically from the other partition which has win7 out-of-box on it (and a lot of special HP stuff). You create a username/password, timezone that kind off stuff.

Computer is now like it was when you bought it.

 

[gregrocker]

Again, these disks will reinstall all of the worth-in-the-industry HP factory bloatware and duplicate OEM utilities which have better versions built into Win7. Most tech enthusiasts would never run such an install but instead get the vastly superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

It seems you've even been provided the Win7 Reinstallation DVD by HP which is rare except for business computers.

If so, make sure it has SP1 or otherwise download the latest official installer and burn to DVD or write to stick from the tutorial.

If you run the Recovery disks instead, I would at least Clean Up Factory Bloatware