Member Avatar for Laura J

Hi all,


Im wanting to restore my PC to factory standard. Ive backed up all the files i need to keep, removed all periferals.


Got the book out that came with my PC it says to press F11 key until system recovery starts then advanced options etc but it wont work!!! It just starts up as normal!!

Another option is to go thru the vista start menu, into All programs then PC help & tools then recovery manager BUT i cant see PC help and tools in the 'all programs' area!


I have done a system recovery ages ago and can vaguely remember having the same problem but cant recall how i fixed it!!


ANY advice appreciated.

Thanks!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

Dani AI

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Short, practical recovery checklist and alternatives for (expanded from the thread):

A quick reality check: HP’s factory restore runs from the hidden recovery partition or from recovery media; if that partition is missing or damaged the F11 route will not work and you must use recovery discs or reinstall. Back up everything first (you already noted you have). ()

What to try next (in order)

  1. Cold boot and press F11 repeatedly as soon as the machine powers on; on some HP models use Esc to open the Startup Menu then choose F11/Recovery. This is the official startup path to launch HP Recovery Manager. ()
  2. Verify the recovery partition is present via Disk Management (right‑click Computer → Manage → Disk Management). If the partition (often labeled Recovery or Factory_Image) is gone or shows 0 bytes, the local restore will fail. (manualmachine.com)
  3. If Windows will run, look for HP Recovery Manager (search Start for “recovery”) and use its Recovery Media Creation to burn DVDs or make a USB recovery drive — the tool needs a healthy recovery partition and typically allows only one set to be made, so use good media. ()

If those fail

  • The community workaround of marking the recovery partition Active can force the system to boot the recovery environment, but it is risky (wrong change can make the PC unbootable); treat this as an advanced option and document current partition layout before doing it. (h30434.www3.hp.com)
  • If the partition or Recovery Manager is missing/corrupt, obtain HP recovery media (or reinstall Windows) and then update drivers/Windows after restore. ()

One last note: some HP notebooks use an Action Keys/Fn mode that changes how F‑keys behave; checking the BIOS Action Keys setting can help if F11 isn’t registering at the right time. ()

Summary: confirm the recovery partition exists, try Esc→F11 or F11 at power‑on, run Recovery Manager from Windows if available, create or obtain recovery media if needed, and only use partition tricks with a backup in place.

Recommended Answers

All 13 Replies

Member Avatar for Laura J

I forgot to add, there is a recovery partition in the PC so i do not have disks!

Member Avatar for Rik_

What is your reason for wanting to do a recovery?

Member Avatar for Laura J

Just wanting to 'start a fresh' with it. Things have been added, removed, changed etc since the last time i restored it to factory so its not as 'good' as it used to be.

Member Avatar for Rik_

It is possible to clean up an ailing install to almost as good as new!

Member Avatar for Laura J

How would i go about doing that please? Is it easier than starting from scratch?

Member Avatar for Rik_

Ccleaner will remove most unused registry entries for starters. Google will find it!

Member Avatar for Laura J

Thanks anyway, but i think i'll just try to work out how to restore it to factory! It'll be like getting a new PC without spending any pennies lol

Member Avatar for Rik_

Removing unused registry entries then defragmenting will certainly make the machine much quicker!

Member Avatar for Laura J

Cheers, if i dont find out how to do the factory reset i may give it a go. To be honest though it isnt that slow that i cant tolerate it.

Member Avatar for caperjack

ccleaner is free,so no cost to try it ,
i would suggest installing it [ i use it all the time on my own and custoers computers ]going into tools ,uninstall progras you don't want,them run the cleaner to remove temp files and cache files,then run the regestry cleaner ,i admit it will nor be as good a a clean install but will certenly help

when hitting f11 are you doing so as soon as windows starts to boot .

Member Avatar for Laura J

Yeah, F11 straight from start up - about 1 press per second until its obv. its not worked.


PS sorry for the slow reply!

Member Avatar for Laura J

Just an idea . . . can i check my F11 key actually works some how? Thinking it may be defective?

Member Avatar for caperjack

Just an idea . . . can i check my F11 key actually works some how? Thinking it may be defective?

yes,open internet explorer browser ,hit f11 it should change IE to full screen

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