CAUTION: Some Startup Repair options will completely erase and reformat the hard drive. All les you have 
created and any software installed on the computer are permanently removed. When reformatting is 
complete, the recovery process restores the operating system, as well as the drivers, software, and utilities 
from the backup used for recovery.
1. If possible, back up all personal les.
2. If possible, check for the presence of the Recovery Image partition and the Windows partition.
From the Start screen, type file, and then click File Explorer.
– or –
From the Start screen, type pc, and then select This PC.
NOTE: If the Windows partition and the Recovery Image partition are not listed, you must recover your 
operating system and programs using the Windows operating system DVD and the Driver Recovery 
media (both purchased separately). For additional information, see Using Windows operating system 
media (purchased separately) on page 182.
3. If the Windows partition and the Recovery Image partition are listed, restart the computer by pressing 
and holding the shift key while clicking Restart.
4. Select Troubleshoot, then select Advanced Options, and then select Startup Repair.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
NOTE: For additional information on recovering information using the Windows tools, perform a search for 
these topics in Windows Help and Support.
Using f11 recovery tools
CAUTION: Using f11 completely erases hard drive contents and reformats the hard drive. All les that you 
have created and any software that you have installed on the computer are permanently removed. The f11 
recovery tool reinstalls the operating system and HP programs and drivers that were installed at the factory. 
Software not installed at the factory must be reinstalled.
To recover the original hard drive image using f11:
1. If possible, back up all personal les.
2. If possible, check for the presence of the Recovery Image partition: From the Start screen, type pc, and 
then select This PC.
NOTE: If the Recovery Image partition is not listed, you must recover your operating system and 
programs using the Windows operating system media and the Driver Recovery media (both purchased 
separately). For additional information, see Using Windows operating system media (purchased 
separately) on page 182.
3. If the Recovery Image partition is listed, restart the computer, and then press esc while the “Press the 
ESC key for Startup Menu” message is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
4. Press f11 while the “Press <F11> for recovery” message is displayed on the screen.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Performing a system recovery 181