Reinstallation problems with Recovery and Restore Options

[Guest]

Hello,

I have issues that I would like your help with.

I purchased an HP Pavilion a1730n on ebay as "brand new sealed in box" but
as it turned out it had been used for approximately 4 days (judging by the
file dates). It came with the Windows Vista Home Premium operating system
installed on it. The previous owner had it password protected so I had to
reinstall the operating system to get access. I reinstalled Vista using the
disc labeled "Windows Anytime Upgrade" which is the only disc that came with
it. Everything seems to be working fine but the original bundled software
that was installed with the operating system is no longer there. I can see
all of it in the Windows.old folder under Program Files.

I want to restore/recover these programs, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader,
Realtek, Roxio, etc. but I can not. I tried to recover them by selecting
'Start' and then 'All Programs' but the 'PC Help & Tools' option which
activates the Recovery Manager does not appear as it should. When I tried to
use the 'Help and Support' option under the 'Start' menu nothing comes up
for the topic "PC Help & Tools" or for the topic "Recovery Manager" which
seems strange to me. I did a search for "PC Help & Tools" at the search
prompt under the 'Start' menu and found its' folder under Windows.old. I
clicked on the Recovery Manager Shortcut in the folder to try to open it but
get the following error message:

"C:\Windows\SMINST\Restore7.exe The Specified path does not exist. Check
the path, and try again."

I also tried starting the recovery from powerup using the <F11=System
Recovery> function key but the system just ignores it. This key was
recognized before I reinstalled the operating system. The <ESC=Boot Menu> and
<F10=Setup> keys still work fine at the startup screen. All I did was
reintstall the operating system using the install disc and instruction and
now the Recovery Manager no longer works. How do I fix it?

Another option that might be even better(?) could be to restore the files
from the Windows.old folder because they are the original Vista operating
system files and programs but I do not know how to do it without also
restoring the old password which I do not know what it is [hence the original
problem]. Can anyone tell me what I should delete, change or modify before
restoring the Windows.old folder so that the old password is not used again?

Also, out of curiousity, my system shows 260 GB free of 291 GB on drive C:
and 904 MB free of 6.25 GB on the Recovery (D partition which totals to
297.25 GB of total disc space. The harddrive is a 320 GB harddrive, what
happened to the other 22.75 GB of harddrive space?

Thanks for any help that you guys may be able to provide, it will be much
appreciated.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows Vista:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c00814731

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­-----

:

Hello,

I have issues that I would like your help with.

I purchased an HP Pavilion a1730n on ebay as "brand new sealed in box" but
as it turned out it had been used for approximately 4 days (judging by the
file dates). It came with the Windows Vista Home Premium operating system
installed on it. The previous owner had it password protected so I had to
reinstall the operating system to get access. I reinstalled Vista using the
disc labeled "Windows Anytime Upgrade" which is the only disc that came with
it. Everything seems to be working fine but the original bundled software
that was installed with the operating system is no longer there. I can see
all of it in the Windows.old folder under Program Files.

I want to restore/recover these programs, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader,
Realtek, Roxio, etc. but I can not. I tried to recover them by selecting
'Start' and then 'All Programs' but the 'PC Help & Tools' option which
activates the Recovery Manager does not appear as it should. When I tried to
use the 'Help and Support' option under the 'Start' menu nothing comes up
for the topic "PC Help & Tools" or for the topic "Recovery Manager" which
seems strange to me. I did a search for "PC Help & Tools" at the search
prompt under the 'Start' menu and found its' folder under Windows.old. I
clicked on the Recovery Manager Shortcut in the folder to try to open it but
get the following error message:

"C:\Windows\SMINST\Restore7.exe The Specified path does not exist. Check
the path, and try again."

I also tried starting the recovery from powerup using the <F11=System
Recovery> function key but the system just ignores it. This key was
recognized before I reinstalled the operating system. The <ESC=Boot Menu> and
<F10=Setup> keys still work fine at the startup screen. All I did was
reintstall the operating system using the install disc and instruction and
now the Recovery Manager no longer works. How do I fix it?

Another option that might be even better(?) could be to restore the files
from the Windows.old folder because they are the original Vista operating
system files and programs but I do not know how to do it without also
restoring the old password which I do not know what it is [hence the original
problem]. Can anyone tell me what I should delete, change or modify before
restoring the Windows.old folder so that the old password is not used again?

Also, out of curiousity, my system shows 260 GB free of 291 GB on drive C:
and 904 MB free of 6.25 GB on the Recovery (D partition which totals to
297.25 GB of total disc space. The harddrive is a 320 GB harddrive, what
happened to the other 22.75 GB of harddrive space?

Thanks for any help that you guys may be able to provide, it will be much
appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Carey, thanks for the quick reply and the link but I have already tried a
system recovery from Windows Vista and a recovery from power up. As I
stated, I never get or see the 'PC Help & Tools' option from Vista and the
F11 key does not respond from power up. If nobody can help me here I may have
to order the recovery disc from HP and try a system recovery from the
recovery disc. I'm hoping that I can just do a restore of the Windows.old
folder, but without the old password, if someone knows how to do it.

Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows Vista:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c00814731

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­-----

:

Hello,

I have issues that I would like your help with.

I purchased an HP Pavilion a1730n on ebay as "brand new sealed in box" but
as it turned out it had been used for approximately 4 days (judging by the
file dates). It came with the Windows Vista Home Premium operating system
installed on it. The previous owner had it password protected so I had to
reinstall the operating system to get access. I reinstalled Vista using the
disc labeled "Windows Anytime Upgrade" which is the only disc that came with
it. Everything seems to be working fine but the original bundled software
that was installed with the operating system is no longer there. I can see
all of it in the Windows.old folder under Program Files.

I want to restore/recover these programs, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader,
Realtek, Roxio, etc. but I can not. I tried to recover them by selecting
'Start' and then 'All Programs' but the 'PC Help & Tools' option which
activates the Recovery Manager does not appear as it should. When I tried to
use the 'Help and Support' option under the 'Start' menu nothing comes up
for the topic "PC Help & Tools" or for the topic "Recovery Manager" which
seems strange to me. I did a search for "PC Help & Tools" at the search
prompt under the 'Start' menu and found its' folder under Windows.old. I
clicked on the Recovery Manager Shortcut in the folder to try to open it but
get the following error message:

"C:\Windows\SMINST\Restore7.exe The Specified path does not exist. Check
the path, and try again."

I also tried starting the recovery from powerup using the <F11=System
Recovery> function key but the system just ignores it. This key was
recognized before I reinstalled the operating system. The <ESC=Boot Menu> and
<F10=Setup> keys still work fine at the startup screen. All I did was
reintstall the operating system using the install disc and instruction and
now the Recovery Manager no longer works. How do I fix it?

Another option that might be even better(?) could be to restore the files
from the Windows.old folder because they are the original Vista operating
system files and programs but I do not know how to do it without also
restoring the old password which I do not know what it is [hence the original
problem]. Can anyone tell me what I should delete, change or modify before
restoring the Windows.old folder so that the old password is not used again?

Also, out of curiousity, my system shows 260 GB free of 291 GB on drive C:
and 904 MB free of 6.25 GB on the Recovery (D partition which totals to
297.25 GB of total disc space. The harddrive is a 320 GB harddrive, what
happened to the other 22.75 GB of harddrive space?

Thanks for any help that you guys may be able to provide, it will be much
appreciated.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

You can recover the original install from the Windows.old folder using the
steps here, but it comes with the password - there's no way to isolate and
remove it as part of the recovery: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168

The programs would have to be reinstalled under the current OS installation
in order for them to work. You can't simply drag them out of the old install
folder. The system recovery partition would have been overwritten as part of
the Vista install, so the only real way to regain the original OS without
the password would be recovery disks from HP.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Carey, thanks for the quick reply and the link but I have already tried a
system recovery from Windows Vista and a recovery from power up. As I
stated, I never get or see the 'PC Help & Tools' option from Vista and the
F11 key does not respond from power up. If nobody can help me here I may
have
to order the recovery disc from HP and try a system recovery from the
recovery disc. I'm hoping that I can just do a restore of the Windows.old
folder, but without the old password, if someone knows how to do it.

Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows Vista:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c00814731

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­-----

:

Hello,

I have issues that I would like your help with.

I purchased an HP Pavilion a1730n on ebay as "brand new sealed in box"
but
as it turned out it had been used for approximately 4 days (judging by
the
file dates). It came with the Windows Vista Home Premium operating system
installed on it. The previous owner had it password protected so I had to
reinstall the operating system to get access. I reinstalled Vista using
the
disc labeled "Windows Anytime Upgrade" which is the only disc that came
with
it. Everything seems to be working fine but the original bundled
software
that was installed with the operating system is no longer there. I can
see
all of it in the Windows.old folder under Program Files.

I want to restore/recover these programs, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader,
Realtek, Roxio, etc. but I can not. I tried to recover them by selecting
'Start' and then 'All Programs' but the 'PC Help & Tools' option which
activates the Recovery Manager does not appear as it should. When I tried
to
use the 'Help and Support' option under the 'Start' menu nothing comes
up
for the topic "PC Help & Tools" or for the topic "Recovery Manager"
which
seems strange to me. I did a search for "PC Help & Tools" at the search
prompt under the 'Start' menu and found its' folder under Windows.old. I
clicked on the Recovery Manager Shortcut in the folder to try to open it
but
get the following error message:

"C:\Windows\SMINST\Restore7.exe The Specified path does not exist.
Check
the path, and try again."

I also tried starting the recovery from powerup using the <F11=System
Recovery> function key but the system just ignores it. This key was
recognized before I reinstalled the operating system. The <ESC=Boot Menu>
and
<F10=Setup> keys still work fine at the startup screen. All I did was
reintstall the operating system using the install disc and instruction
and
now the Recovery Manager no longer works. How do I fix it?

Another option that might be even better(?) could be to restore the files
from the Windows.old folder because they are the original Vista operating
system files and programs but I do not know how to do it without also
restoring the old password which I do not know what it is [hence the
original
problem]. Can anyone tell me what I should delete, change or modify
before
restoring the Windows.old folder so that the old password is not used
again?

Also, out of curiousity, my system shows 260 GB free of 291 GB on drive
C:
and 904 MB free of 6.25 GB on the Recovery (D partition which totals to
297.25 GB of total disc space. The harddrive is a 320 GB harddrive, what
happened to the other 22.75 GB of harddrive space?

Thanks for any help that you guys may be able to provide, it will be much
appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Thank you Rick for your time and help. I was actually hoping there was a way
to edit the appropriate files under the Windows.old folder to change or
delete the old password before doing the Restore. It seems like that should
be doable.

I also didn't realize that reinstalling the OS overwrites the Recovery
Partition, it doesn't make sense to me why since it contains the original
programs. It also doesn't make sense to me why I can not even invoke the
Recovery Manager even if the partition has been overwritten.

Looks like the easiest fix is the Recovery Disc from HP. Do you happen to
know if the HP Recovery Disc will also overwrite the Recovery Partition so
that it [the Recovery Manager] works again? Thanks again.

Hi,

You can recover the original install from the Windows.old folder using the
steps here, but it comes with the password - there's no way to isolate and
remove it as part of the recovery: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168

The programs would have to be reinstalled under the current OS installation
in order for them to work. You can't simply drag them out of the old install
folder. The system recovery partition would have been overwritten as part of
the Vista install, so the only real way to regain the original OS without
the password would be recovery disks from HP.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Carey, thanks for the quick reply and the link but I have already tried a
system recovery from Windows Vista and a recovery from power up. As I
stated, I never get or see the 'PC Help & Tools' option from Vista and the
F11 key does not respond from power up. If nobody can help me here I may
have
to order the recovery disc from HP and try a system recovery from the
recovery disc. I'm hoping that I can just do a restore of the Windows.old
folder, but without the old password, if someone knows how to do it.

Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows Vista:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c00814731

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­-----

:

Hello,

I have issues that I would like your help with.

I purchased an HP Pavilion a1730n on ebay as "brand new sealed in box"
but
as it turned out it had been used for approximately 4 days (judging by
the
file dates). It came with the Windows Vista Home Premium operating system
installed on it. The previous owner had it password protected so I had to
reinstall the operating system to get access. I reinstalled Vista using
the
disc labeled "Windows Anytime Upgrade" which is the only disc that came
with
it. Everything seems to be working fine but the original bundled
software
that was installed with the operating system is no longer there. I can
see
all of it in the Windows.old folder under Program Files.

I want to restore/recover these programs, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader,
Realtek, Roxio, etc. but I can not. I tried to recover them by selecting
'Start' and then 'All Programs' but the 'PC Help & Tools' option which
activates the Recovery Manager does not appear as it should. When I tried
to
use the 'Help and Support' option under the 'Start' menu nothing comes
up
for the topic "PC Help & Tools" or for the topic "Recovery Manager"
which
seems strange to me. I did a search for "PC Help & Tools" at the search
prompt under the 'Start' menu and found its' folder under Windows.old. I
clicked on the Recovery Manager Shortcut in the folder to try to open it
but
get the following error message:

"C:\Windows\SMINST\Restore7.exe The Specified path does not exist.
Check
the path, and try again."

I also tried starting the recovery from powerup using the <F11=System
Recovery> function key but the system just ignores it. This key was
recognized before I reinstalled the operating system. The <ESC=Boot Menu>
and
<F10=Setup> keys still work fine at the startup screen. All I did was
reintstall the operating system using the install disc and instruction
and
now the Recovery Manager no longer works. How do I fix it?

Another option that might be even better(?) could be to restore the files
from the Windows.old folder because they are the original Vista operating
system files and programs but I do not know how to do it without also
restoring the old password which I do not know what it is [hence the
original
problem]. Can anyone tell me what I should delete, change or modify
before
restoring the Windows.old folder so that the old password is not used
again?

Also, out of curiousity, my system shows 260 GB free of 291 GB on drive
C:
and 904 MB free of 6.25 GB on the Recovery (D partition which totals to
297.25 GB of total disc space. The harddrive is a 320 GB harddrive, what
happened to the other 22.75 GB of harddrive space?

Thanks for any help that you guys may be able to provide, it will be much
appreciated.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Once you have the recovery disks, the recovery partition would be immaterial
as it accomplishes the same thing.

When the original owner received the Vista upgrade disks (there should be
both an upgrade and driver/programs disk), it carried with it the warning
that using it would wipe out the recovery partition and that they should
make a backup of it before proceeding (HP provides for this in their
original installation). They either chose not to do so, or not to provide
you with the disks.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Thank you Rick for your time and help. I was actually hoping there was a
way
to edit the appropriate files under the Windows.old folder to change or
delete the old password before doing the Restore. It seems like that
should
be doable.

I also didn't realize that reinstalling the OS overwrites the Recovery
Partition, it doesn't make sense to me why since it contains the original
programs. It also doesn't make sense to me why I can not even invoke the
Recovery Manager even if the partition has been overwritten.

Looks like the easiest fix is the Recovery Disc from HP. Do you happen to
know if the HP Recovery Disc will also overwrite the Recovery Partition so
that it [the Recovery Manager] works again? Thanks again.

Hi,

You can recover the original install from the Windows.old folder using
the
steps here, but it comes with the password - there's no way to isolate
and
remove it as part of the recovery: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168

The programs would have to be reinstalled under the current OS
installation
in order for them to work. You can't simply drag them out of the old
install
folder. The system recovery partition would have been overwritten as part
of
the Vista install, so the only real way to regain the original OS without
the password would be recovery disks from HP.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Carey, thanks for the quick reply and the link but I have already tried
a
system recovery from Windows Vista and a recovery from power up. As I
stated, I never get or see the 'PC Help & Tools' option from Vista and
the
F11 key does not respond from power up. If nobody can help me here I
may
have
to order the recovery disc from HP and try a system recovery from the
recovery disc. I'm hoping that I can just do a restore of the
Windows.old
folder, but without the old password, if someone knows how to do it.

:

Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows Vista:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c00814731

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­-----

:

Hello,

I have issues that I would like your help with.

I purchased an HP Pavilion a1730n on ebay as "brand new sealed in box"
but
as it turned out it had been used for approximately 4 days (judging by
the
file dates). It came with the Windows Vista Home Premium operating
system
installed on it. The previous owner had it password protected so I had
to
reinstall the operating system to get access. I reinstalled Vista
using
the
disc labeled "Windows Anytime Upgrade" which is the only disc that
came
with
it. Everything seems to be working fine but the original bundled
software
that was installed with the operating system is no longer there. I can
see
all of it in the Windows.old folder under Program Files.

I want to restore/recover these programs, such as Adobe Acrobat
Reader,
Realtek, Roxio, etc. but I can not. I tried to recover them by
selecting
'Start' and then 'All Programs' but the 'PC Help & Tools' option which
activates the Recovery Manager does not appear as it should. When I
tried
to
use the 'Help and Support' option under the 'Start' menu nothing
comes
up
for the topic "PC Help & Tools" or for the topic "Recovery Manager"
which
seems strange to me. I did a search for "PC Help & Tools" at the
search
prompt under the 'Start' menu and found its' folder under Windows.old.
I
clicked on the Recovery Manager Shortcut in the folder to try to open
it
but
get the following error message:

"C:\Windows\SMINST\Restore7.exe The Specified path does not exist.
Check
the path, and try again."

I also tried starting the recovery from powerup using the <F11=System
Recovery> function key but the system just ignores it. This key was
recognized before I reinstalled the operating system. The <ESC=Boot
Menu>
and
<F10=Setup> keys still work fine at the startup screen. All I did was
reintstall the operating system using the install disc and instruction
and
now the Recovery Manager no longer works. How do I fix it?

Another option that might be even better(?) could be to restore the
files
from the Windows.old folder because they are the original Vista
operating
system files and programs but I do not know how to do it without also
restoring the old password which I do not know what it is [hence the
original
problem]. Can anyone tell me what I should delete, change or modify
before
restoring the Windows.old folder so that the old password is not used
again?

Also, out of curiousity, my system shows 260 GB free of 291 GB on
drive
C:
and 904 MB free of 6.25 GB on the Recovery (D partition which totals
to
297.25 GB of total disc space. The harddrive is a 320 GB harddrive,
what
happened to the other 22.75 GB of harddrive space?

Thanks for any help that you guys may be able to provide, it will be
much
appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Hi Rick,

Once again thanks for your help and answers. I have a couple more questions.
I'm a bit confused. The original owner did not upgrade the PC to Vista, this
model comes with the Home Premium version installed. Even at his password
prompt, before I reinstalled the OS, it showed "Windows Vist Home Premium". I
assumed that the upgrade disk came with the PC from MS as an easy way to
upgrade to Vista Ultimate for those who may wish to do so at some time. I
also assumed it contained the Home Premium version on it [since it is the
only disk that came with the PC], which is why I used it to reinstalled the
original OS (Vista Home Premium). I did not get the driver/programs disk. Do
I need it or will the recovery disks have everything I need? Also, since the
recovery partition is no longer of use why waste over 6 GB of space. Can I
reformat the harddrive to erase it before using the recovery disks or will
that just cause other problems?

Hi,

Once you have the recovery disks, the recovery partition would be immaterial
as it accomplishes the same thing.

When the original owner received the Vista upgrade disks (there should be
both an upgrade and driver/programs disk), it carried with it the warning
that using it would wipe out the recovery partition and that they should
make a backup of it before proceeding (HP provides for this in their
original installation). They either chose not to do so, or not to provide
you with the disks.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Thank you Rick for your time and help. I was actually hoping there was a
way
to edit the appropriate files under the Windows.old folder to change or
delete the old password before doing the Restore. It seems like that
should
be doable.

I also didn't realize that reinstalling the OS overwrites the Recovery
Partition, it doesn't make sense to me why since it contains the original
programs. It also doesn't make sense to me why I can not even invoke the
Recovery Manager even if the partition has been overwritten.

Looks like the easiest fix is the Recovery Disc from HP. Do you happen to
know if the HP Recovery Disc will also overwrite the Recovery Partition so
that it [the Recovery Manager] works again? Thanks again.

Hi,

You can recover the original install from the Windows.old folder using
the
steps here, but it comes with the password - there's no way to isolate
and
remove it as part of the recovery: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168

The programs would have to be reinstalled under the current OS
installation
in order for them to work. You can't simply drag them out of the old
install
folder. The system recovery partition would have been overwritten as part
of
the Vista install, so the only real way to regain the original OS without
the password would be recovery disks from HP.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Carey, thanks for the quick reply and the link but I have already tried
a
system recovery from Windows Vista and a recovery from power up. As I
stated, I never get or see the 'PC Help & Tools' option from Vista and
the
F11 key does not respond from power up. If nobody can help me here I
may
have
to order the recovery disc from HP and try a system recovery from the
recovery disc. I'm hoping that I can just do a restore of the
Windows.old
folder, but without the old password, if someone knows how to do it.

:

Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows Vista:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c00814731

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­-----

:

Hello,

I have issues that I would like your help with.

I purchased an HP Pavilion a1730n on ebay as "brand new sealed in box"
but
as it turned out it had been used for approximately 4 days (judging by
the
file dates). It came with the Windows Vista Home Premium operating
system
installed on it. The previous owner had it password protected so I had
to
reinstall the operating system to get access. I reinstalled Vista
using
the
disc labeled "Windows Anytime Upgrade" which is the only disc that
came
with
it. Everything seems to be working fine but the original bundled
software
that was installed with the operating system is no longer there. I can
see
all of it in the Windows.old folder under Program Files.

I want to restore/recover these programs, such as Adobe Acrobat
Reader,
Realtek, Roxio, etc. but I can not. I tried to recover them by
selecting
'Start' and then 'All Programs' but the 'PC Help & Tools' option which
activates the Recovery Manager does not appear as it should. When I
tried
to
use the 'Help and Support' option under the 'Start' menu nothing
comes
up
for the topic "PC Help & Tools" or for the topic "Recovery Manager"
which
seems strange to me. I did a search for "PC Help & Tools" at the
search
prompt under the 'Start' menu and found its' folder under Windows.old.
I
clicked on the Recovery Manager Shortcut in the folder to try to open
it
but
get the following error message:

"C:\Windows\SMINST\Restore7.exe The Specified path does not exist.
Check
the path, and try again."

I also tried starting the recovery from powerup using the <F11=System
Recovery> function key but the system just ignores it. This key was
recognized before I reinstalled the operating system. The <ESC=Boot
Menu>
and
<F10=Setup> keys still work fine at the startup screen. All I did was
reintstall the operating system using the install disc and instruction
and
now the Recovery Manager no longer works. How do I fix it?

Another option that might be even better(?) could be to restore the
files
from the Windows.old folder because they are the original Vista
operating
system files and programs but I do not know how to do it without also
restoring the old password which I do not know what it is [hence the
original
problem]. Can anyone tell me what I should delete, change or modify
before
restoring the Windows.old folder so that the old password is not used
again?

Also, out of curiousity, my system shows 260 GB free of 291 GB on
drive
C:
and 904 MB free of 6.25 GB on the Recovery (D partition which totals
to
297.25 GB of total disc space. The harddrive is a 320 GB harddrive,
what
happened to the other 22.75 GB of harddrive space?

Thanks for any help that you guys may be able to provide, it will be
much
appreciated.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

HP commonly shipped their systems late last year and early this one with XP
still installed and provided for an offer to upgrade to Vista. The original
system ships without any disks, just a recovery partition. Even if it
shipped with Vista, this would be the case. The Vista disk comes as a result
of either choosing the upgrade offer (in which case the disk comes from HP
along with an additional driver and program disk) or from using anytime
upgrade (where Microsoft provides it). But, normally no disk is included
with the system at all, so the original owner had to have followed one of
these two paths. Either way, it's the product key that determines which
version is installed, not the disk itself (which contains all versions).

Since HP does not normally included disks, the recovery partition is a
necessity for those that don't have them. If you have them, then it is not
necessary to maintain it. The recovery disks from HP generally wipe a drive
clean and lay down a fresh image, so formatting ahead of time is rarely
necessary. Backup any data files that you do not want to lose before
beginning.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Hi Rick,

Once again thanks for your help and answers. I have a couple more
questions.
I'm a bit confused. The original owner did not upgrade the PC to Vista,
this
model comes with the Home Premium version installed. Even at his password
prompt, before I reinstalled the OS, it showed "Windows Vist Home
Premium". I
assumed that the upgrade disk came with the PC from MS as an easy way to
upgrade to Vista Ultimate for those who may wish to do so at some time. I
also assumed it contained the Home Premium version on it [since it is the
only disk that came with the PC], which is why I used it to reinstalled
the
original OS (Vista Home Premium). I did not get the driver/programs disk.
Do
I need it or will the recovery disks have everything I need? Also, since
the
recovery partition is no longer of use why waste over 6 GB of space. Can I
reformat the harddrive to erase it before using the recovery disks or will
that just cause other problems?

Hi,

Once you have the recovery disks, the recovery partition would be
immaterial
as it accomplishes the same thing.

When the original owner received the Vista upgrade disks (there should be
both an upgrade and driver/programs disk), it carried with it the warning
that using it would wipe out the recovery partition and that they should
make a backup of it before proceeding (HP provides for this in their
original installation). They either chose not to do so, or not to provide
you with the disks.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Thank you Rick for your time and help. I was actually hoping there was
a
way
to edit the appropriate files under the Windows.old folder to change
or
delete the old password before doing the Restore. It seems like that
should
be doable.

I also didn't realize that reinstalling the OS overwrites the Recovery
Partition, it doesn't make sense to me why since it contains the
original
programs. It also doesn't make sense to me why I can not even invoke
the
Recovery Manager even if the partition has been overwritten.

Looks like the easiest fix is the Recovery Disc from HP. Do you happen
to
know if the HP Recovery Disc will also overwrite the Recovery Partition
so
that it [the Recovery Manager] works again? Thanks again.

:

Hi,

You can recover the original install from the Windows.old folder using
the
steps here, but it comes with the password - there's no way to isolate
and
remove it as part of the recovery:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168

The programs would have to be reinstalled under the current OS
installation
in order for them to work. You can't simply drag them out of the old
install
folder. The system recovery partition would have been overwritten as
part
of
the Vista install, so the only real way to regain the original OS
without
the password would be recovery disks from HP.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Carey, thanks for the quick reply and the link but I have already
tried
a
system recovery from Windows Vista and a recovery from power up. As
I
stated, I never get or see the 'PC Help & Tools' option from Vista
and
the
F11 key does not respond from power up. If nobody can help me here I
may
have
to order the recovery disc from HP and try a system recovery from
the
recovery disc. I'm hoping that I can just do a restore of the
Windows.old
folder, but without the old password, if someone knows how to do it.

:

Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows Vista:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c00814731

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­-----

:

Hello,

I have issues that I would like your help with.

I purchased an HP Pavilion a1730n on ebay as "brand new sealed in
box"
but
as it turned out it had been used for approximately 4 days (judging
by
the
file dates). It came with the Windows Vista Home Premium operating
system
installed on it. The previous owner had it password protected so I
had
to
reinstall the operating system to get access. I reinstalled Vista
using
the
disc labeled "Windows Anytime Upgrade" which is the only disc that
came
with
it. Everything seems to be working fine but the original bundled
software
that was installed with the operating system is no longer there. I
can
see
all of it in the Windows.old folder under Program Files.

I want to restore/recover these programs, such as Adobe Acrobat
Reader,
Realtek, Roxio, etc. but I can not. I tried to recover them by
selecting
'Start' and then 'All Programs' but the 'PC Help & Tools' option
which
activates the Recovery Manager does not appear as it should. When I
tried
to
use the 'Help and Support' option under the 'Start' menu nothing
comes
up
for the topic "PC Help & Tools" or for the topic "Recovery
Manager"
which
seems strange to me. I did a search for "PC Help & Tools" at the
search
prompt under the 'Start' menu and found its' folder under
Windows.old.
I
clicked on the Recovery Manager Shortcut in the folder to try to
open
it
but
get the following error message:

"C:\Windows\SMINST\Restore7.exe The Specified path does not exist.
Check
the path, and try again."

I also tried starting the recovery from powerup using the
<F11=System
Recovery> function key but the system just ignores it. This key was
recognized before I reinstalled the operating system. The <ESC=Boot
Menu>
and
<F10=Setup> keys still work fine at the startup screen. All I did
was
reintstall the operating system using the install disc and
instruction
and
now the Recovery Manager no longer works. How do I fix it?

Another option that might be even better(?) could be to restore the
files
from the Windows.old folder because they are the original Vista
operating
system files and programs but I do not know how to do it without
also
restoring the old password which I do not know what it is [hence
the
original
problem]. Can anyone tell me what I should delete, change or modify
before
restoring the Windows.old folder so that the old password is not
used
again?

Also, out of curiousity, my system shows 260 GB free of 291 GB on
drive
C:
and 904 MB free of 6.25 GB on the Recovery (D partition which
totals
to
297.25 GB of total disc space. The harddrive is a 320 GB harddrive,
what
happened to the other 22.75 GB of harddrive space?

Thanks for any help that you guys may be able to provide, it will
be
much
appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Got it, thanks for all your help Rick.

Hi,

HP commonly shipped their systems late last year and early this one with XP
still installed and provided for an offer to upgrade to Vista. The original
system ships without any disks, just a recovery partition. Even if it
shipped with Vista, this would be the case. The Vista disk comes as a result
of either choosing the upgrade offer (in which case the disk comes from HP
along with an additional driver and program disk) or from using anytime
upgrade (where Microsoft provides it). But, normally no disk is included
with the system at all, so the original owner had to have followed one of
these two paths. Either way, it's the product key that determines which
version is installed, not the disk itself (which contains all versions).

Since HP does not normally included disks, the recovery partition is a
necessity for those that don't have them. If you have them, then it is not
necessary to maintain it. The recovery disks from HP generally wipe a drive
clean and lay down a fresh image, so formatting ahead of time is rarely
necessary. Backup any data files that you do not want to lose before
beginning.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Hi Rick,

Once again thanks for your help and answers. I have a couple more
questions.
I'm a bit confused. The original owner did not upgrade the PC to Vista,
this
model comes with the Home Premium version installed. Even at his password
prompt, before I reinstalled the OS, it showed "Windows Vist Home
Premium". I
assumed that the upgrade disk came with the PC from MS as an easy way to
upgrade to Vista Ultimate for those who may wish to do so at some time. I
also assumed it contained the Home Premium version on it [since it is the
only disk that came with the PC], which is why I used it to reinstalled
the
original OS (Vista Home Premium). I did not get the driver/programs disk.
Do
I need it or will the recovery disks have everything I need? Also, since
the
recovery partition is no longer of use why waste over 6 GB of space. Can I
reformat the harddrive to erase it before using the recovery disks or will
that just cause other problems?

Hi,

Once you have the recovery disks, the recovery partition would be
immaterial
as it accomplishes the same thing.

When the original owner received the Vista upgrade disks (there should be
both an upgrade and driver/programs disk), it carried with it the warning
that using it would wipe out the recovery partition and that they should
make a backup of it before proceeding (HP provides for this in their
original installation). They either chose not to do so, or not to provide
you with the disks.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Thank you Rick for your time and help. I was actually hoping there was
a
way
to edit the appropriate files under the Windows.old folder to change
or
delete the old password before doing the Restore. It seems like that
should
be doable.

I also didn't realize that reinstalling the OS overwrites the Recovery
Partition, it doesn't make sense to me why since it contains the
original
programs. It also doesn't make sense to me why I can not even invoke
the
Recovery Manager even if the partition has been overwritten.

Looks like the easiest fix is the Recovery Disc from HP. Do you happen
to
know if the HP Recovery Disc will also overwrite the Recovery Partition
so
that it [the Recovery Manager] works again? Thanks again.

:

Hi,

You can recover the original install from the Windows.old folder using
the
steps here, but it comes with the password - there's no way to isolate
and
remove it as part of the recovery:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168

The programs would have to be reinstalled under the current OS
installation
in order for them to work. You can't simply drag them out of the old
install
folder. The system recovery partition would have been overwritten as
part
of
the Vista install, so the only real way to regain the original OS
without
the password would be recovery disks from HP.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Carey, thanks for the quick reply and the link but I have already
tried
a
system recovery from Windows Vista and a recovery from power up. As
I
stated, I never get or see the 'PC Help & Tools' option from Vista
and
the
F11 key does not respond from power up. If nobody can help me here I
may
have
to order the recovery disc from HP and try a system recovery from
the
recovery disc. I'm hoping that I can just do a restore of the
Windows.old
folder, but without the old password, if someone knows how to do it.

:

Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows Vista:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c00814731

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­-----

:

Hello,

I have issues that I would like your help with.

I purchased an HP Pavilion a1730n on ebay as "brand new sealed in
box"
but
as it turned out it had been used for approximately 4 days (judging
by
the
file dates). It came with the Windows Vista Home Premium operating
system
installed on it. The previous owner had it password protected so I
had
to
reinstall the operating system to get access. I reinstalled Vista
using
the
disc labeled "Windows Anytime Upgrade" which is the only disc that
came
with
it. Everything seems to be working fine but the original bundled
software
that was installed with the operating system is no longer there. I
can
see
all of it in the Windows.old folder under Program Files.

I want to restore/recover these programs, such as Adobe Acrobat
Reader,
Realtek, Roxio, etc. but I can not. I tried to recover them by
selecting
'Start' and then 'All Programs' but the 'PC Help & Tools' option
which
activates the Recovery Manager does not appear as it should. When I
tried
to
use the 'Help and Support' option under the 'Start' menu nothing
comes
up
for the topic "PC Help & Tools" or for the topic "Recovery
Manager"
which
seems strange to me. I did a search for "PC Help & Tools" at the
search
prompt under the 'Start' menu and found its' folder under
Windows.old.
I
clicked on the Recovery Manager Shortcut in the folder to try to
open
it
but
get the following error message:

"C:\Windows\SMINST\Restore7.exe The Specified path does not exist.
Check
the path, and try again."

I also tried starting the recovery from powerup using the
<F11=System
Recovery> function key but the system just ignores it. This key was
recognized before I reinstalled the operating system. The <ESC=Boot
Menu>
and
<F10=Setup> keys still work fine at the startup screen. All I did
was
reintstall the operating system using the install disc and
instruction
and
now the Recovery Manager no longer works. How do I fix it?

Another option that might be even better(?) could be to restore the
files
from the Windows.old folder because they are the original Vista
operating
system files and programs but I do not know how to do it without
also
restoring the old password which I do not know what it is [hence
the
original
problem]. Can anyone tell me what I should delete, change or modify
before
restoring the Windows.old folder so that the old password is not
used
again?

Also, out of curiousity, my system shows 260 GB free of 291 GB on
drive
C:
and 904 MB free of 6.25 GB on the Recovery (D partition which
totals
to
297.25 GB of total disc space. The harddrive is a 320 GB harddrive,
what
happened to the other 22.75 GB of harddrive space?

Thanks for any help that you guys may be able to provide, it will
be
much
appreciated.

 

[Vaneet Singla]

Dear Rick

I just bought new HP notebook with windows vista home premium installed. I didnt want all the HP pre-installeds so i formatted my C: drive and installed a fresh copy of home premium but i forgot to make recovery disks. I still have the recovery disk partition but the F11 key doesn't work as the new windows is not able to detect it.

Is there anyway i could change the MBR so that this windows would recognize the other partition and would allow me to burn recovery disks or if there is any other way you might know.

Would really appreciate a quick reply...

thanks

Vinny

EggHeadCafe - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
http://www.eggheadcafe.com

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

You can use the DVD used to clean install if you need to get your OS back,
and Acronis TrueImage if you want to make a recovery of your complete
installation.

Dear Rick

I just bought new HP notebook with windows vista home premium installed. I
didnt want all the HP pre-installeds so i formatted my C: drive and
installed a fresh copy of home premium but i forgot to make recovery
disks. I still have the recovery disk partition but the F11 key doesn't
work as the new windows is not able to detect it.

Is there anyway i could change the MBR so that this windows would
recognize the other partition and would allow me to burn recovery disks or
if there is any other way you might know.

Would really appreciate a quick reply...

thanks

Vinny

EggHeadCafe - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
http://www.eggheadcafe.com

--


Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

 

[AJR]

When the recovery partition was created the MBR was modified to present the
"Hit F10 (or whatever) key to restore. Althoug the partition may be
indicated it is not "functionsal. HP provides an utility with the laptop to
created the recovery partition on removeable media and gives an option to
"remove" the recovery partition, reclaim the space and remove the MBR
modification.
Late - but you should have used the uninstall function to remove
applications not desired - note that the recovery partition also contined
the drivers for all installed devices.

The best solution, in my opinion, (since HP's utility is no longer
available) is to fo to www.hp.com/support , software and drivers downloads,
and you wil be able to order Recovery disks at a nominal fee. You will need
the laptop model number and serial number - normal delivery 5 to 8 days.

 

[mgm]

It sure would be nice if the mega-dealers like HP would simply include the
d*** OEM OS and driver disc to do complete rebuilds of systems. I can't
tell you how many problems this concept of "recovery partitions" causes.
Sheesh.. what would it cost them?

 

[steve brown]

hello I have one suggestion. If you can go to google and google some software called ERD Commander. with this software you sould be able to restore the old windows folder after the restore is done you can just put the erd commander in the cd rom and reset the the old password. i have the software but i got it from my work. it has system restore tools as well as diagnosic tools with it. try that I hope it helps.

EggHeadCafe - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
http://www.eggheadcafe.com