HP Recovery disks?

Beowoulf · 10-28-2006, 02:06 AM

I have an OLD HP Pavillion 8860, and it"s served very well untill recently. My HP system recovery set was destroyed in a car accident a while back. i now need it! My system reboots itself, and even alters settings in the BIOS when it does this. I need the recovery set if possible. I"ve tryed installing OS from new software, but always have driver issues... HELP?

linesman · 10-28-2006, 08:40 AM

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...product=57713&

try there for drivers

**OldGrayGary** · 10-29-2006, 12:54 AM

. . . hmm. . . one more thing for you to check:

Since this is an older machine - enter the Bios Setup, and see if the time and date are OK. If they are not, then it's likely the CMOS battery is too weak to save the settings (that's probably why you noticed the Bios settings changing ... they will continue to change back to defaults - until you replace the battery).

Most of the older boards used a 3-volt coin battery, such as the CR-2032. If you find yours needs replacing - write down it's model number so you can get an exact match at your local computer/electronics store [the batteries only cost about $1.50 (USD)]. Your computer must be powered off, and the power cord unplugged - before you open the case & remove the old battery. Ground yourself beforehand, or wear an anti-static wrist strap, to prevent harmful static shock to the sensitive components inside your case.

You'll have to enter Bios Setup again after replacing the battery & get all the settings right - HP should have a manual with all the Bios settings for your motherboard on it's support website.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

Beowoulf · 10-31-2006, 04:01 PM

Battery is good, the driver URL doen't list the board drivers, just some peripheral stuff. I don't need the keyboard update or the firmware for a DVD/CDR combo...

**OldGrayGary** · 11-01-2006, 12:06 AM

Hi again

Even for older systems, HP sometimes still can provide Recovery Disk sets for a modest fee (usually between twenty and thirty dollars [USD]).

Another place you can look for older drivers is driversguide.com

I think it might be a good idea to run some diagnostics, just to make sure that the hardware is still OK after it's years of use. Test the memory ( Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool ) and the hard drive ( Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp. )

Settings in your Bios should not change unless you change them. If you suspect your motherboard's Bios is infected with a virus, run a scan that includes a Bios scan (most do). You can run an antivirus check on a system, even when it won't boot from the hard drive - you can use a tool like the "Ultimate Boot Cd", which boots the computer using Linux & can run a DOS emulator ( Ultimate Boot CD - Overview ). The antivirus tools are plug-ins - you build in the latest updates. All the details are on the ultimatebootcd.com website.

If the memory and the drive prove to be sound, try deleting the current partitions, repartitioning, and letting Windows format the drive during Setup. Windows should run just fine, even without perfect drivers (you can hunt them down later, when you have time). For older Pavilions, the trickiest drivers are often strange add-on cards that aren't seen much anymore, like combination modem/sound cards. Driversguide can often help with that.

To run a clean install of WinMe/98se/98 on your Pavilion with a non-HP CD, you need a full-version Windows installation CD, complete with a product key (one per computer - of course). You can't use any Recovery Disk on your system other than one specifically made for your model. You can use any full retail Windows installaton disk.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

Beowoulf · 11-01-2006, 10:07 AM

I was really hoping to get a copy of the original disks, but can't find them anywhere. Thanks for your help!

10-28-2006, 02:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
Beowoulf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3 OS: Win me	HP Recovery disks? I have an OLD HP Pavillion 8860, and it"s served very well untill recently. My HP system recovery set was destroyed in a car accident a while back. i now need it! My system reboots itself, and even alters settings in the BIOS when it does this. I need the recovery set if possible. I"ve tryed installing OS from new software, but always have driver issues... HELP?

10-29-2006, 12:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	. . . hmm. . . one more thing for you to check: Since this is an older machine - enter the Bios Setup, and see if the time and date are OK. If they are not, then it's likely the CMOS battery is too weak to save the settings (that's probably why you noticed the Bios settings changing ... they will continue to change back to defaults - until you replace the battery). Most of the older boards used a 3-volt coin battery, such as the CR-2032. If you find yours needs replacing - write down it's model number so you can get an exact match at your local computer/electronics store [the batteries only cost about $1.50 (USD)]. Your computer must be powered off, and the power cord unplugged - before you open the case & remove the old battery. Ground yourself beforehand, or wear an anti-static wrist strap, to prevent harmful static shock to the sensitive components inside your case. You'll have to enter Bios Setup again after replacing the battery & get all the settings right - HP should have a manual with all the Bios settings for your motherboard on it's support website. Best of luck . . . Gary __________________

10-31-2006, 04:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Beowoulf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3 OS: Win me	Battery is good, the driver URL doen't list the board drivers, just some peripheral stuff. I don't need the keyboard update or the firmware for a DVD/CDR combo... Last edited by Beowoulf; 10-31-2006 at 04:04 PM.

11-01-2006, 12:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Hi again Even for older systems, HP sometimes still can provide Recovery Disk sets for a modest fee (usually between twenty and thirty dollars [USD]). Another place you can look for older drivers is driversguide.com I think it might be a good idea to run some diagnostics, just to make sure that the hardware is still OK after it's years of use. Test the memory ( Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool ) and the hard drive ( Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp. ) Settings in your Bios should not change unless you change them. If you suspect your motherboard's Bios is infected with a virus, run a scan that includes a Bios scan (most do). You can run an antivirus check on a system, even when it won't boot from the hard drive - you can use a tool like the "Ultimate Boot Cd", which boots the computer using Linux & can run a DOS emulator ( Ultimate Boot CD - Overview ). The antivirus tools are plug-ins - you build in the latest updates. All the details are on the ultimatebootcd.com website. If the memory and the drive prove to be sound, try deleting the current partitions, repartitioning, and letting Windows format the drive during Setup. Windows should run just fine, even without perfect drivers (you can hunt them down later, when you have time). For older Pavilions, the trickiest drivers are often strange add-on cards that aren't seen much anymore, like combination modem/sound cards. Driversguide can often help with that. To run a clean install of WinMe/98se/98 on your Pavilion with a non-HP CD, you need a full-version Windows installation CD, complete with a product key (one per computer - of course). You can't use any Recovery Disk on your system other than one specifically made for your model. You can use any full retail Windows installaton disk. Best of luck . . . Gary __________________

10-28-2006, 08:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
linesman Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Swansea Posts: 179 OS: XP	http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...product=57713& try there for drivers

11-01-2006, 10:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
Beowoulf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3 OS: Win me	I was really hoping to get a copy of the original disks, but can't find them anywhere. Thanks for your help!