HP Recovery Manager

Every Windows Laptop from HP and Compaq comes with a handy recovery application called HP Recovery Manager which can be activated by simply pressing the F11 key (note: some notebooks may have a different key assignment) immediately after turning the notebook on. It’s a nice utility by which owners can restore their notebook to an earlier working state using Windows’ System Restore or reformat the laptop to its default factory settings without the hassle of re-downloading and re-installing device drivers.

It’s a useful ulitity in today’s malware-ridden world PC users.

However, there are instances where the HP Recovery Manager fails to load even after pressing the F11 key as I recently experienced with a friend’s HP Pavilion Notebook. After several hours of troubleshooting the problem, I found a work-around. I’m posting the solution below in case anyone experiences the same problem:

Boot Windows
Click Start > RUN >
Type compmgmt.msc then hit the ENTER key
Computer Management will load, choose Storage then Disk Management
Select the Recovery Partition (usually drive D:) by clicking on it
Make the Recovery Partition active by clicking on Action then All Tasks > Mark Partition as Active
Shut down PC

The next time you power on the computer, press F11. It will now load the HP Recovery Manager and will give you the option to restore or reformat your computer.

NOTE: The solution posted here only works if your computer’s recovery partition is still intact and hasn’t been corrupted.

UPDATE: Here’s a video guide of Steps 2 to 6. Be sure to reboot PC after doing the procedure shown in the video.

Did I just save you countless hours of troubleshooting? Buy me pizza!

Compaq, HP, HP Recovery Manager, System Restore, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author

Lyle Santos has bachelor degrees in Psychology and Nursing. A nurse by profession, he is licensed in the State of Connecticut and in the Philippines. A recipient of the Globe Digital Tribe Award in the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards, Lyle is currently the Logistics Officer of Davao Bloggers and the Chief Technology Officer of Avatar Media.

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This entry was posted by Lyle on January 8, 2009 at 11:21 PM, and is filed under Tech Review. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

Comments (58)

#1 written by Mauro
about 1 year ago

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Didn’t work on my Presario CQ-60 200EP..
- #2 written by Lyle
  about 1 year ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Is Windows pre-installed with your Presario CQ-60 200EP? Perhaps your laptop has a different key assignment for the HP recovery manager.
#3 written by H30
about 1 year ago

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but the Win did not reallize the RECOVERY partition! “Unallocated” instead.
Do you know how to solve the problem? Thanks so much.
- #4 written by Lyle
  about 1 year ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Can you elaborate on your problem?
#5 written by oSX
about 1 year ago

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OH GOD thanx!!! this was so helpful, i couldnt run the RM, well now im restoring..
- #6 written by Lyle
  about 1 year ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Glad to help.
#7 written by karl
about 1 year ago

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step 6. the option for it to be active is not available. i cant activate it. is there any other way?
- #8 written by Lyle
  about 1 year ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Can you check if the recovery partition still has files on it? If the recovery partition has been damaged, corrupted or reformatted.. then the only other solution is to request for a Recovery CD/DVD from HP.
#9 written by karl
about 1 year ago

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the recovery partition has no files in it, yet it still says that 1.80GB free of 8.42GB. does this show that my recovery partition is corrupted?
- #10 written by Lyle
  about 1 year ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Not necessarily. The files in the recovery partition are usually hidden. I’ll try to make a video of the guide posted above. Check back in a day or two.
#11 written by Mentor
about 1 year ago

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This worked great, i was strugling for about 1 hour and finally i came across your post, this saved my day. THANKS
#12 written by jeremy
about 1 year ago

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i tried it but did’nt work is there any other way so i can make a second set of recovery disk
- #13 written by Lyle
  about 1 year ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Last recourse is to request a recovery disc from HP/Compaq.
#14 written by Anand Baskaran
about 1 year ago

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Hey, is it ok if I ask a different, but still recovery-related question here? It’s about creating Recovery Disks. I haven’t created them before, but when I run the Recovery Disk Creator, the first window appears; I click on Next, and now the Problem happens. It automatically shows a “Cancelling in Progress” window, and says “Recovery Disk creation will continue the next time you run the program”.

My comp’s in a pretty bad state, and it takes numerous attempts just to get it to boot; so I wanna restore it before things get out of hand. So any help’ll be appreciated…

Thanks in advance …

Anand
- #15 written by Lyle
  about 1 year ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  I’m guessing your system is too messed up to be able to burn a clean copy.
  
  Your best bet right now is to do a full reformat using the recovery manager then burn a set of recovery disc after.
#16 written by Anand Baskaran
about 1 year ago

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Hi Lyle…

Hey, really appreciate the prompt response. ok, I’ll go ahead and do a full reformat like you suggested.

Before I do that, though, could you clarify a couple of things for me?

I gather this is what I have to do:

1. Use the ‘Computer Management’ tool like you’ve directed above to set my D: drive to “Mark partition as active”.

2. Restart my computer, and during startup, press F11 so that it enters Recovery Manager.

Now, after this, is there anything I need to know, or are the Reformatting steps/on-screen instructions straightforward to follow? Also, will I need any details about my computer or current OS (which is pre-installed Vista)- I know the Product Key, that’s printed at the bottom of the computer; anything else required?

I’m sorry for sounding like an A-Grade Amateur, but I am a little anxious about this since I’ve never done it before.

Thanks a lot again… .

Anand
- #17 written by Lyle
  about 1 year ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  I’m sorry for the very late response. The process after Step 2 is pretty straightforward.
  
  As long as Windows is already pre-installed when you bought your computer, you’re all set.
#18 written by zoyti
about 1 year ago

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Is this guide regarding the f11 button also applicable even you try to install a new OS. But the recovery partition is still intact? I’m having problem to restore my hp laptop to its factory defaults because I tried to install vista ultimate. When i try to press f11 nothing happens. Hope this works for me also.

Thanks
- #19 written by Lyle
  about 1 year ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  As long as the recovery partition is intact, this guide works like a charm.
  
  I also upgraded my pre-installed Vista to Ultimate and I was able to restore my computer.
  
  Please note, however, that after the restore… Your Vista will be back to whatever version it came with.
#20 written by Stefano Garcia da Silveira
about 11 months ago

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You’re the b e s t.
=D
- #21 written by Lyle
  about 11 months ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Thanks!
#22 written by zoyti
about 11 months ago

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You think I can download some recorvery for my dv2500 online? My partition seems corrupt already cant restore to its original factory settings.
- #23 written by Lyle
  about 11 months ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  It’s not available for download but you can order a disc from HP for a small fee. The fee covers the DVD and shipping.
  
  Here’s the link where you can order one:
  http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00810334&dlc=en
#24 written by Jon
about 11 months ago

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Hey,

This is the only place I found to the answer to my problem (accessing the recovery partition).

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- #25 written by Lyle
  about 11 months ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  You are welcome! Glad to help.
#26 written by Derrick
about 11 months ago

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who is da man!!!!…you are the MAN!!!

Sh!T….you saved my life…thank you so much for the info…couldnt even find this n HP’s site1!! DUH!!!…

thanks again…cheers!!
- #27 written by Lyle
  about 9 months ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Happy to help.
#28 written by Lowie
about 9 months ago

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Hey,
Thanks for the manual it works, but… Now I know it woks I really would like to get back in my computer without having to reinstall it alover and have all my files deleted… Can you help me???
- #29 written by Lyle
  about 9 months ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Try if you can still access System Restore. It will restore your computer to an earlier working state without deleting all your files.
  
  This option will only work if you enabled System Restore and have working restore files.
  
  Here’s how to restore your computer:
  
  1. Click START > ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES
  
  2. Go to SYSTEM TOOLS > System Restore
  
  3. It will show you Restore Points by date.
  
  4. Pick a restore point with the most recent date
  
  5. Follow on-screen instructions.
  
  Let me know how it goes and good luck!
  - #30 written by Lowie
    about 9 months ago
    
    Reply Quote
    
    I know how to do that, but my computer starts up with the D-disk… It automatically starts the RM, it doenst’ lod windows anymore… So I can’t get in my C anymore… And I have managed to get into system restore, but it hasn’t any restore points… Wich is suspicious because normaly there were… But something I noticed is that when I am on the panel to choose for system restore, CMD, … It says it doens’t know wich system it’s runing (normally Windows)… So I must be able to make my computer start in C not in D…
    - #31 written by Lowie
      about 9 months ago
      
      Reply Quote
      
      UPDATE: It’s ok, I managed to get in Windows again by running ubuntu from disk and then changing the bootpartition… But thanks for the tip anyway!
#32 written by Misty
about 8 months ago

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Hi! I didthis and now my computer always starts in recovery Manager… How do I get it to open back up to Windows??? PLEASEHelp
- #33 written by Lyle
  about 7 months ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Hi, the procedure posted here is to force the computer into booting into recovery manager.
  
  Only one way to make it boot back to Windows and that is to reformat your hard drive.
#34 written by Leo
about 8 months ago

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pliz help me ,, i cant Mark Partition as Active ?? whyyy help plz
- #35 written by Lyle
  about 7 months ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Please provide more information.
  
  Did you follow the instructions step-by-step? What are the errors that you encountered?
  
  I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s keeping you from making the partition active.
#36 written by George
about 7 months ago

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Hi, i have a problem with my Hp pavillion dv6000, i cant resore my lap top to factory settings/ condition. I have tried using recovery manager but when i click on ‘would you like to recover your computer to it’s original factory condition’ it restarts the lap top and starts normally. F11 doesn’t work, somethimes it makes the lap top freeze if i keep pressing it, also i have tried alt F11 it doesn’t work and according to disk manager i dont have a (HP_RECOVERY) but i can clearly see it in my computer next to my Local Disk drive.
Please Please Please help me i have no idea what to do.
Many thanks George
- #37 written by Lyle
  about 7 months ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Have you tried making the recovery partition active as posted above? If so, then I believe your recovery partition has been corrupted.
  
  Next option would be to order a recovery DVD from HP for a small fee.
  
  The fee covers the DVD and shipping.
  
  Here’s the link where you can order one:
  
  http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00810334&dlc=en
#38 written by George
about 7 months ago

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Hi, thanks for that information and is there a good chance that this will work??
many thanks george
#39 written by David
about 7 months ago

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Thank you – I had replaced Win7 Starter with Win7 Enterprise, which made the HP Mini 110 unbearably slow Had been unable to restore factory settings until I found this simple elegant answer.
Many thanks, David
#40 written by David
about 7 months ago

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Wonderful. Just over an hour and I’m back to a factory fresh machine. Now …

Thanks
#41 written by david
about 7 months ago

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i recently installed windows 7 on my Hp pavilion dv5. but bluetooth driver doesn’t work.
want to restore back my laptop to it’s factory setting. but the recovery manager doesn’t work by clicking the F11. i tried Alt+F11 as well nothing happens. i did the same as told above. but nothing happens.
any idea?
- #42 written by Lyle
  about 7 months ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Try pressing the ESC button immediately after powering on your laptop.
  
  My dv6 shows several options (including System Restore) after pressing the ESC.
  
  Anyway, can you post here the exact model of your dv5 laptop? I’ll try to help you find the bluetooth driver for it.
#43 written by Kayode
about 7 months ago

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Hi. I followed the instruction as above and made the recovery partition active. All I get after pressing F11 is a blank screen. The bios then restarts after a minute. When I go back to computer management, the partition is no longer active.
Do you think I have a major issue with system restore?
- #44 written by Lyle
  about 7 months ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  I think the recovery partition has been corrupted. Next option would be to order a recovery disc from HP.
  
  Here’s the link:
  http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00810334&dlc=en
#45 written by bong
about 7 months ago

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hello, Sir i have hp dv61242 is there any issues i could encounter in the future? It shows in these forums that Hp have problems. As of now so far so good my laptop performs well in games..Sir can i backup my recovery partition using external drives?,I hate burning dvd’s.
- #46 written by Lyle
  about 7 months ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  Easiest way would be to burn a recovery DVD.
  
  But yes you may also try backing up your recovery partition on an external drive. I haven’t tried it yet but it could work.
  
  Just make sure you back up everything including the hidden files.
#47 written by Daniel
about 7 months ago

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hi, I have an HP DV7 with windows vista pre installed. I formated my C: partition and installed windows 7. I’ve tried to make the recovery partition active but the laptop still loading windows 7 after I press F11. Is there any wrong?
- #48 written by Lyle
  about 7 months ago
  
  Reply Quote
  
  If your DV7 is anything like my DV6, try pressing the ESC key after turning your laptop ON.
  
  Look for an option that says System Recovery.
#49 written by Kayode
about 7 months ago

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Hi Lyle. I’ve done a backup of the recovery partition. What do i then do with it. I don’t see any files to execute to start recovery. I might not get a recovery DVD for several weeks when I order due to my geographical location.
#50 written by jon
about 7 months ago

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hi,

im having a big troble on my pc . this is the problem every time that im going to start my pc goes automatically to recovery manager , i did try the recovery manager but its not workin , can anyone help me to restore my pc ?

thank you very much
#51 written by solaris9uk
about 6 months ago

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If you want to actually restore the functionality of the F11 button on your laptop as opposed to working around it which is what this setting the recovery partition active is doing. You need to get a copy of mbrinst.exe in there you can restore the F11 option in your mbr such that it will boot into your std OS by default and only boot into the recovery partition when F11 is pressed.
If you set the recovery partition as active but either do not do a restore or the restore fails you will get stuck in a loop where by the laptop always boots into the recovery partition.

if stuck in recovery boot you can go to advanced settings, check computer, command prompt and run diskpart then type:-

select disk 0
select partition 2
active
exit

then reboot this will set your std partition as active again.
#52 written by Shon
about 6 months ago

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Thank you SOO much. Fixed it. Now I don’t have to pay Microsoft for a new copy of Windows 7.
#53 written by Karn
about 6 months ago

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Hi there..
I have dv6’1211AX and I installed windows 7 ultimate on it and now RM of my notebook doesn’t want to work it says Recovery Drive isn’t found although it is there and shows me the capacity of 9.7 GB occupied…what can I do?
#54 written by JD Prasad
about 6 months ago

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Hi Lyle,
I have HP Pavilion dv4t-1400 CTO Entertainment Notebook PC preinstalled with Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit OS having recovery partition drive. I am also having recovery discs which were created at the time of first use of notebook. Recently I have upgraded my notebook to Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit OS using my friend’s OS copy. From then onwards the problems started. On verfication through on line the copy of the Windows OS was declared as not genuine. Then I have decided to rollback to original factory settings using HP Recovery Manager with my Recovery Discs. After inserting Disc#1 as propmted by Recovery Manager to do so and after pressing NEXT button, the system is restarting with Windows 7 instead of recovery. I understood that Recovery Manager is not working in Windows 7. Then I have tried the option of recovery from “Recovery Partition” drive. For this, after pressing F11 after coming up of HP logo while restarting, the system is restarting with Windows 7 as usual. Finally as per your work-around solution also, I have tried. But still the system is restarting with Windows 7 only. Kindly help me in this regard to get back my original factory settings using either my recovery discs or recovery partition drive. It seems that Recovery Partition drive is not disturbed. Thanks in advance.
#55 written by Phillip
about 6 months ago

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hey Lyle i managed to restore my hp/compaq cq60 by setting the recovery part. to active however after pressing F11 Ive found that the system loads normally however when i force the system to power off during the windows load-up screen (the green bar) and the system reboots i get a “Start-up Repair Option”- if I select this it goes straight to the Recovery Manager – to restore factory settings and “Start Windows Normally Option” which once that loads up the Windows Partition is automatically set back to Active

What I really want to do is access the Recovery Manager within Windows…When I try to so this I get an error that “The Recovery Partition cannot be found”

Any Ideas? Thanks
#56 written by Brandon
about 5 months ago

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You’re a life saver, thank you. I have a new HP and the factory restore f11 key was not working. I activated the partition and it worked great, thank you!
#57 written by Matt
about 4 months ago

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THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

HP would have charged $50 for that!!!
#58 written by Isaac
about 1 month ago

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when i follow this i get to the screen where im suppose to choose the D: drive but there is only one there which is my C: and nothing else help?? i am using a Compaq pressario f700