general question

[dodgeredd]

Is the diagnostic cd in HP the same as the recovery cd you make with a new w-7 computer?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi,

No, it isn't.

It is a disk that has several diagnostic utilities on it to check hardware (memory, hard drive, etc).

The recovery DVD's will restore the operating system and software that came with your PC (except office 2010 starter, if applicable).

Paul

[dodgeredd]

Yes paul that's what I needed to know.

Thanks

Another question I have I didn't complete my recovery disc.

Something went wrong Not sure what. It's been 2 months since computer was new .Should I just forget it at this point?

I had some one at hp help me but I had so many problems afterward I shied away from getting the job done.

Thanks again for your input. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're welcome.

You have one shot at making those recovery disks. If it didn't work you will need to order some from HP by following the info at the link below:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00810334&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&sw_lang=&product=40...

If your PC came with windows 7, I have a workaround for you if you can read your 25 character Microsoft product key.

Using the 25 character Microsoft windows 7 product key, you can download plain Windows 7 ISO files to burn to DVD's for the OEM version of windows (I assume Home Premium).

So, download and burn the W7 32 or 64 bit ISO file to a DVD, as applicable, for the version of W7 that came with your PC (most likely Home Premium).

Burn the ISO using the Burn ISO option on your DVD burning program and burn at the slowest possible speed your program will allow. This will create a bootable DVD.

Use the 25 character product key from your install kit to activate the installation.

The key will activate either a 32 or 64 bit installation.

Then go to your notebook's support and driver page and install any drivers you need.

If you can still access your operating system, copy the SWSetup folder off your C:\ drive, and save it somewhere else. That contains all of your driver and software installation files that came with your PC except Office Starter 2010, if applicable.

Link to the W7 ISO file downloads is below.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-s​p1-iso-from-digital-river/

Paul