Non Destructive Recovery

[WE Branch Fanatic]

As some of you know, I've been having some problems with my PC where it doesn't seem to recognise CDs (of any type), although DVD work ok.

HP have reccomended that I perform a Non Destructive Recovery. Alternatively I can send it to be repaired as it is still under warranty, and if the NDR doesn't work I will have to do that anyway- it's in warranty until the end of the month or so. But it would mean no PC for to 10 days - and at the moment I sort of need to stay in touch with certain people who may need me....

It says.........the system files of the operating system is replaced with only the loss of contents of following folders:

1. My Documents
2. Windows Desktop
3. Windows folder ( C:\Windows )
4. Some programs ( those refer any files in the Windows folders )

So it is advised to copy all the documents that need to be saved and NOT to place them in anyone of the above folders.

However, you can place it in the C:\.

The information below explains how to reset the HP Pavilions softwareto its original state. All work stored on the hard drive might be lostunless backed up to another form of media (CDs, floppies, Zip, or asecond hard drive).

Can you give me any advice on backups etc? I do have a system recovery DVD made when the PC was first set up. But the only work oon here that I'm aware of us a few Word documents, stuff downloaded from the net or as e-mail attachments, e-mails, and some multimedia video stuff (messing about in the snow).

Any advice?

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

WE Branch Fanatic,

I am having a little following what exactly is your problem.

If your problem is that your CD/DVD player will not read CDs but reads DVDs, I would just try another drive in the computer. Optical Drives are dirt cheap.

I your issue is getting the data off your computer before sending it back for repairs, I would suggest an external Hard Drive or USB Pen Drive to hold your data on.

I would be very careful with the Recovery DVD. If it is a Restore Disk, it will destroy all your Data on the Hard Drive.

Take Care,

Richard

[WE Branch Fanatic]

The problem is with the drive - or its drivers...............

Why HP can't/won't just replace the drive..........arrrgh. Next they'll be saying they won't supply a replacement ?

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

WE Branch Fanatic,

If you are running WinXP, all Optical Drives are native to the OS, so no Drivers needed.

I think the hint you gave about the Drive playing DVDs but will not play CDs means the laser that reads the CDs is damaged and the DVD Laser still works. (They run on two different mechanisms.)

I would just get a new Drive.

Now what try of Drive is it?

• DVD-ROM Drive
  
• DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
  
• DVD+/-RW

Take Care,

Richard

[Memetic]

Non Destructive Recovery... replaced with only the loss of contents of following folders

I'd hate to see the HP version of a destructive recovery.

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Memetic,

I'd hate to see the HP version of a destructive recovery.

My thoughts exactly.

Marauders

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Since there's no programs there weren't pre installed, nothing to lose there. Just multimedia stuff, video, Word documents and e-mails, which can be discared, printed or saved on DVD or floppy.

But will contact HP to verify - should only effect the cwindows directory. I'm just doing as they say, does seem odd about CDs though..........

Its a HP DVD writer +R/+RW 4X and has "hp dvd writer & cd-writer" written on it.

When you say the restore/recovery thing will destroy my data - do you mean it will leave the software intact?

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

WE Branch Fanatic,

A Recovery CD destroys everything on your Hard Drive and then puts the system back to the day prior to you buying it. So, I repeat, everything you had on it will be gone!

Take Care,

Richard

[newarksmells]

Naples

Not true. I had to re-install Windows on my Dell about 3 months ago. It leaves all the folders not containing OS code alone. This includes Greeting Cards, Printer software, Games, My documents, Internet providers etc.

Having said that, prior to re-install you're given the option of saving off your current configuration to the C: drive and that is something i would highly recommend.

Newarksmells

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Newarksmells,

You can use a WinXP CD and do a fresh install on top of itself and not lose any data other then what was in:

C:\Windows

Take Care,

Richard

P.S. Most "Restore" Disks, delete everything, since it is an image of the Drive, that is restored.

[newarksmells]

Richard

That's also true for a Windows ME system. Just replace the OS and none of the peripherals.

Newarksmells

[WE Branch Fanatic]

NDR completed. Unfortunately I need to reinstall the printer, and the software is on CD ROM. The drive still doesn't work - so time to get it picked up, repaired etc etc.

Pity as there's some stuff going on at the moment where being able to communicate with certain people is useful. Ho hum. Hopefully won't be more than a few days.........gotta contact them first.

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

WE Branch Fanatic,

You do not want Drivers off of a CD anyway. Go to the website for the Printer and download the latest Drivers there.

Same thing for your CD Drive too.

Take Care,

Richard

[WE Branch Fanatic]

All fixed now - by HP themselves. Or rather the people who do repairs on HP products in the UK.

Time to reinstall the printer - then Broadband as a Broadband modem has arrived - and it is usable in this area now. One question though, will it mean I'll need to leave the computer on all the time?

[ZH875]

No, just logoff and shutdown. When next required, just restart the broadband connection, takes about 4-5 seconds and carry on as normal.

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

WE Branch Fanatic,

Glad to hear you are all set.

Take Care,

Richard

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Just as I've got that fixed..............another problem has cropped up. But that's another story (and thread)....

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

WE Branch Fanatic,

Then on to the next tread.

Richard