Win XP Home questions

[john faucheaux]

I have a HP Pavilion, it came preinstalled with Win XP Home. I didn't
receive the recovery CD, but I do have it on the hard drive HP_Recovery 4.66
GB FAT32 EISA Configuration. How am I supposed to use this file without a
CD? Is there a way to open this file or copy it to another source? I just
need it to be explained a little more.

Also, could you tell me the difference in these versions. All single
license versions, but totally different costs.
Windows XP Home Edition (Full Product)
Windows XP Home Edition (Full Product) OEM
Windows XP Home Edition (Upgrade)
Windows XP Home Edition w/Service Pack 1 (OEM)

Thanks, Donna J

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

HP Pavilion computers have a hidden partition which contains the files necessary
to restore your PC to its original factory condition. Please read and follow these
instructions carefully:

HP Pavilion Desktop PCs - Performing a Full System Recovery in Microsoft Windows XP
http://h20015.www2.hp.com/hub_search/document.jhtml?lc=en&docName=bph07145

HP Pavilion Desktop PCs - Obtaining Recovery Discs
http://h20015.www2.hp.com/hub_searc...FIKSBEOSQ?reg=na&cc=us&docName=buh07143&lc=en

HP Instant Support Professional Edition
http://instantsupport.asiapac.hp.com/euserv/jsp/hpinstantsupport.jsp


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| I have a HP Pavilion, it came preinstalled with Win XP Home. I didn't
| receive the recovery CD, but I do have it on the hard drive HP_Recovery 4.66
| GB FAT32 EISA Configuration. How am I supposed to use this file without a
| CD? Is there a way to open this file or copy it to another source? I just
| need it to be explained a little more.
|
| Also, could you tell me the difference in these versions. All single
| license versions, but totally different costs.
| Windows XP Home Edition (Full Product)
| Windows XP Home Edition (Full Product) OEM
| Windows XP Home Edition (Upgrade)
| Windows XP Home Edition w/Service Pack 1 (OEM)
|
| Thanks, Donna J
|
|

 

[Guest]

The recovery cd is more than likley located in a partition on your hard disk.

OEM software comes with nothing, no books, no box, nothing, just bare bones software. The Upgrade version is to upgrade from a previous version of windows, i.e. win 98se. SP1 is the latest version of XP

 

[DJ]

Thanks Carey, I appreciate this information.
Donna J

 

[DJ]

Hi quinnalone
I do have a partition with the recovery files, was just curious if I
needed the CD to access them.

Another question about the OEM version. Is the Windows XP Home Edition
(Full version) OEM complete, other than it being just the CD and possibly a
sleeve? Do I get the same setup with this version as I would with the
Windows XP Home Edition (Full version) ?

Thanks,
Donna J

The recovery cd is more than likley located in a partition on your hard disk.

OEM software comes with nothing, no books, no box, nothing, just bare

bones software. The Upgrade version is to upgrade from a previous version
of windows, i.e. win 98se. SP1 is the latest version of XP

 

[DJ]

Hi Carey,
The information you sent me was just what I needed. I have a question
about the destructive recovery. It states that:
CAUTION: A destructive recovery will format the hard drive. This will
delete all the information on the hard drive and reinstall Windows XP and
the original software that came with the computer.

Will this format "all" the hard drive? including the partition that has
the
recovery information or will that partition remain? Is there a way to put
that on a CD?
Thanks again
Donna J

 

[Lance Joiner]

I have an HP too. I've reformatted mine a couple of times and it doesn't
hurt the partition with the files on it. Go to start..all programs and under
PC Help and Tools it has an option for you to creat one set of disks. I used
it to make a set and I believe it takes 8 CD's.

 

[DJ]

Hi Lance
I have been Googling all day and just came across the article on HP's site
about creating a CD, thing is I don't have the Creator that they are talking
about. My PC will be 2 years old in July and the article says that PC's made
in Spring of 2003 came with this option. I am now going in circles on the HP
site trying to order the set.
Did you use the F10 button to format, or your CD set?
Thanks for the reply,
Donna J

 

[Lance Joiner]

I've used the F10 button and the disks just to see if they worked. I had no
problems either time. Just make sure you back everything up before you do
anything.

 

[DJ]

Lance,
Sure will do a backup, before I start. Unfortunately I learned that a
long time ago, the hard way. I will print all the directions up also, before
I start.
I never did find the spot on HP where I could purchase the CD's. Will
look for them again tomorrow. I like to use the Google search, I have found
all kinds of information.

Thanks so much for your help,
Donna J

 

[Lance Joiner]

Here's some info I found at HP's site..
HP Pavilion Desktops PC's that ship with Windows XP never did include
recovery CD's. Instead, they use a hidden space (partition) on the hard
drive to store the recovery information. Using a hidden partition provides a
convenient, more stable recovery process that eliminates the need for
fragile CDs that can become lost.


If you would still like to obtain recovery CDs, HP provides the following
options:


a.. To order recovery CDs, contact the HP Customer Care Center. Refer to
the Support Path card for the telephone number in your country. Provide
name, phone number, model number, serial number, mailing address and other
relevant details to the agent. Recovery CD's can only be ordered through HP.

b.. Hope it helps.

c..

 

[Lance Joiner]

This link has links to the phone numbers..
http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/contact_us.html

 

[DJ]

Lance,
Thanks, I thought I had seen all the pages at HP, but apparently not. Oh,
I do have the recovery in the partition that you mentioned. But I would feel
safer with the CDs as a backup.

Thanks again,
Donna J

 

[DJ]

Morning Lance,
I tried to perform the destructive reinstall from the F10 command. This
is what I got:

Starting Windows Recovery
- - - - -- - - - - - -
MS WIN XP (TM) Recovery Console The Recovery Console provides system repair
and recovery functionability. Type EXIT to quit the recovery console and
restart your computer.

(count down)

1: C:\WINDOWS

Which Windows installation would you like to logon to?
To cancel press enter.
I selected 1 and waited, then pressed ENTER and it asked for the
Administrators password.
I chose ENTER again.
it then comes up to the C:\WINDOWS

I unplugged everything that didn't come with my PC first and did as
instructed, but guess I need a little more detail.

I will now do another Google and see what I can come up with. I checked a
few sites out already this morning and couldn't find this particular
reinstallation directions.

Thanks again,
Donna J

 

[Lance Joiner]

Here's another link that might help..
http://h20015.www2.hp.com/hub_search/document.jhtml?lc=en&docName=bph07145

 

[DJ]

Hi Lance,
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help. The url that you sent is
the same one that I had found but for some reason I can't get past the
section
Administrators password
and then it comes back up to C:\WINDOWS

I know that I can type help and see the command lines that I would be able
to use, but I don't think this is the place I should be at. I'm tempted to
just type in format and get it over with. :-( Just kidding.
I downloaded SP1 software patch, from this site and have it ready, just
in case I would need it.
I was going to try it from Windows but I no longer have HP Tools for some
reason. It's not on the START, ALL PROGRAMS list or in the C:\ directory.
Wonder if I would be able to find something in MS Management Console.
My friend has an Operating System CD. She said it's a MS WIN XP Home SP1a
.. Would I be able to use that to clean the harddrive and reinstall from the
HP saved partition? It's put out by HP also, so that's a bonus, just so I
use the key for my product and not hers, right?
I'm sorry to dump this all on you, just trying to find a solution before
ole Nellie goes out on me for good.
Really appreciate your help and advice.
Donna J

 

[DJ]

Lance
Morning again,
Just want you to know I am going today and find Win XP Home the full
version that I will have on hand for cases like this. I about did my eyes in
the past few days just Googling. I really do appreciate all your help.
Thanks
Donna J

 

[Lance Joiner]

You're welcome. Wish we could have gotten you going tho.

 

[DJ]

Hey Lance
You were plenty of help. I would have still been searching to see how to
accomplish what I needed to. By your help, I was able to realize that, I
didn't have all that I needed for accomplishing any of it. I really do
appreciate all your help.Does that make sense??
Donna J

 

[Lance Joiner]

Yes it does and I'm glad to be of any help at all. There has to be a way to
format and install from the drive but I'm just not sure how. Yours has a
different way of working than mine does.