Missing File

[~*Eternity*~]

Had to do a system restore on my son's HP pavilion 503n running Windows XP.
When restarted, it is asking for a file
C:\sysprep\i386
Now, the computer came with XP preinstalled, so we don't have the disc.
Can anyone suggest anything to get the computer running again?
Thanks
Eternity

 

[CS]

Had to do a system restore on my son's HP pavilion 503n running Windows XP.
When restarted, it is asking for a file
C:\sysprep\i386
Now, the computer came with XP preinstalled, so we don't have the disc.
Can anyone suggest anything to get the computer running again?
Thanks
Eternity

Your HP Pavilion has a hidden restore partition that will recover the
OS. Watch the screen closely during the POST (bootup test sequence)
and look for a message on the screen that would indicate which key to
press to start the recovery.

This should also be outlined somewhere in the user manual. If all
else fails, you'll have to call HP tech support and order a set of
recovery CDs for the machine. HP will charge you for them plus a
small fee for shipping and handling.

By the way, once you run the recovery, it will format the hard drive
and re-install everything. That means all previous data you had on
the machine will be lost.

 

[Malke]

Your HP Pavilion has a hidden restore partition that will recover the
OS. Watch the screen closely during the POST (bootup test sequence)
and look for a message on the screen that would indicate which key to
press to start the recovery.

This should also be outlined somewhere in the user manual. If all
else fails, you'll have to call HP tech support and order a set of
recovery CDs for the machine. HP will charge you for them plus a
small fee for shipping and handling.

By the way, once you run the recovery, it will format the hard drive
and re-install everything. That means all previous data you had on
the machine will be lost.

The key to press is F10 if you can't boot into Windows at all. Did you
try Safe Mode or Last Known Configuration? If not, try those first by
tapping F8 repeatedly as the computer is booting up. If not, then you
have to do the HP Recovery (F10). I believe the HP Recovery will give
you the choice of completely formatting the drive and starting over as
if the machine were fresh from the factory (and you'll lose all of your
data and programs you added) OR their version of a Repair Install,
which should leave your data and programs intact. "Should" is the
operative word - backups are always the best insurance.

Good luck - Post back if you need help. You can do it!

Malke