Lifestyle Blog of Lyle Santos. Part-time Nurse, Full-time Blogger.
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!
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 served as the Logistics Officer of Davao Bloggers in 2010 and is currently the Chief Technology Officer of Avatar Media.
| Print article | 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. 12,250 views since January 8, 2009. |
about 4 years ago
Didn’t work on my Presario CQ-60 200EP..
about 4 years ago
Is Windows pre-installed with your Presario CQ-60 200EP? Perhaps your laptop has a different key assignment for the HP recovery manager.
about 2 years ago
TNX LYLE!!! DA BEST!!
about 4 years ago
but the Win did not reallize the RECOVERY partition! “Unallocated” instead.
Do you know how to solve the problem? Thanks so much.
about 4 years ago
Can you elaborate on your problem?
about 4 years ago
OH GOD thanx!!! this was so helpful, i couldnt run the RM, well now im restoring..
about 4 years ago
Glad to help.
about 4 years ago
step 6. the option for it to be active is not available. i cant activate it. is there any other way?
about 4 years ago
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.
about 4 years ago
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?
about 4 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
This worked great, i was strugling for about 1 hour and finally i came across your post, this saved my day. THANKS
about 3 years ago
i tried it but did’nt work is there any other way so i can make a second set of recovery disk
about 3 years ago
Last recourse is to request a recovery disc from HP/Compaq.
about 3 years ago
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
about 3 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
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
about 3 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
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
about 3 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
You’re the b e s t.
=D
about 3 years ago
Thanks!
about 3 years ago
You think I can download some recorvery for my dv2500 online? My partition seems corrupt already cant restore to its original factory settings.
about 3 years ago
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
about 3 years ago
Hey,
This is the only place I found to the answer to my problem (accessing the recovery partition).
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
about 3 years ago
You are welcome! Glad to help.
about 3 years ago
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!!
about 3 years ago
Happy to help.
about 3 years ago
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???
about 3 years ago
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!
about 3 years ago
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…
about 3 years ago
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!
about 3 years ago
Hi! I didthis and now my computer always starts in recovery Manager… How do I get it to open back up to Windows??? PLEASEHelp
about 3 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
pliz help me ,, i cant Mark Partition as Active ?? whyyy help plz
about 3 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
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
about 3 years ago
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
about 3 years ago
Hi, thanks for that information and is there a good chance that this will work??
many thanks george
about 3 years ago
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
about 3 years ago
Wonderful. Just over an hour and I’m back to a factory fresh machine. Now …
Thanks
about 3 years ago
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?
about 3 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
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?
about 3 years ago
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
about 3 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
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?
about 3 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
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
about 3 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
Thank you SOO much. Fixed it. Now I don’t have to pay Microsoft for a new copy of Windows 7.
about 3 years ago
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?
about 3 years ago
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.
about 3 years ago
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
about 3 years ago
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!
about 3 years ago
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
HP would have charged $50 for that!!!
about 2 years ago
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
about 2 years ago
By mistake I deleted the partition of Drive ”D” including HP_RECOVERY in it.
what do I do, if i went to Windows system Restore, can I get back the HP_RECOVERY or it doesnt restore drive D?
if not, is it possible to Make my own built in Recovery File or I have to order it?
about 2 years ago
this works for windows vista… may you pleasr tell me how to do it in windows 7?
about 2 years ago
Thank you soo much!!
about 2 years ago
If you go to your recovery partition and locate this file MBRINST.EXE wich can be found on Windows\System32 ON your recovery partition (normally D:) NOT your C: drive. Yo click it, select the option to boot into recovery and reboot your computer and you’ll boot straight to recovery (no more hitting F11).
This saved my life as the solution posted here made my computer unbootable (BSOD+reboot loop). Althoug I’m not saying this solution won’t work for others.
about 2 years ago
Having a problem with system recovery. I’ve tried all the steps above and nothing is working. Probably because I’m locked out of the computer as a standard user? How do I fix this? I’ve tried to use 3rd party password resets to try to get in as administrator but none work because I have to get the computer to boot from the disk and because I’m not able to get into any of the system, I’m not able to get it to. I’m just trying to restore to factory settings. This computer came originally with Windows Vista and then was upgraded to Windows 7 so F11 and Esc are not working. Not able to go into disk management because I’m not authorized to make those changes. Any help is appreciated!
about 2 years ago
wow….it works….
thank you…
about 2 years ago
thanks for your solution advise
about 2 years ago
Following your tips I solved my problem.
Thanks a lot.
Norberto from Brazil.
about 2 years ago
Thanks!!! I had a copy of Window 7RC that had expired and wanted to repurpose a laptop to give to my mother in law. Followed your steps as above and it worked perfectly!
about 2 years ago
Thanks! The recovery manager finally works after following your step
about 2 years ago
ok so i did all the steps and such and when recovery manager loads…i can only do system restore
what i want is a FULL FACTORY RESET, but the option is grayed out and unselectable
what can i do now? just system restore?
about 2 years ago
OMG! TNX!
You made my day..
about 2 years ago
hi ,i done the steps now when i load my computer it says bootmanager not found but there was files on the recovery partition of the hard drive….and now windows does not start any ideas?
about 1 year ago
Hey my buddy!
you saved my life!
You totally helped me man..!
Hope u do good in lyf!
Cheers!
about 1 year ago
i have a hp p6674y and i have done the steps in. after the format, i run the computer and windows crashes in the win logo and reboot my computer PLS HELP!!!!