System recovery on an HP Pavilion a300n

[paladin127]

I am trying to recover a pavilion a300n using the recovery image on the hard drive.

Whe I boot up the computer It says to press F1o to start the system recovery. I press F10 (many times) and the computer continues on and tries to boot normally.

I heard a rumor that there may be another key to press to enter the recovery partion but I have not been able to find it.

I popped the drive out and put it in a usb external drive enclosure and I can see 2 partions on this drive (the recovery partion and the windows partion).

Does anyone know of a way to get the system recovery to startup??

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[wahnula]

From:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...c=us&lang=en&rule=10476&dlc=en&product=364757

Content starts here

This document explains how to reset the PC software to its original state. This document is divided into sections based on the different ways of performing a full system recovery. Use one of the sections that best fits your needs. Please read ALL of the statements before attempting a recovery!
Recovering from Windows XP : use this section if Windows XP still opens.
Recovering during startup : use this section if the PC does not open Windows (stops responding during the startup process).
Recovering from recovery discs : use this section when the hard drive has been replaced and you have a set of recovery discs. Recovery discs can be those ordered from HP or those that were created by the Recovery Disc Creator software.
CAUTION: Performing a Destructive Recovery will format the hard drive. This will delete all the information on the hard drive and reinstall Windows XP and the original software that came with the PC.Performing a System Recovery replaces system files and original software with the files that originally came with the PC. This process may move or remove certain files, like those stored in My Documents. Before performing a System Recovery backup important files and the files stored in the My Documents folder.In either case, be prepared to reinstall software that was not originally included with the PC. You will also need to reconfigure an Internet Connection and obtain all critical Windows Updates, Virus definition updates, and anti-spyware updates.
CAUTION: If the PC has a Personal Media Drive attached, remove the drive before performing the recovery or all information stored on the Personal Media drive may be lost.
CAUTION: If extra hard drives have been added to the PC, disconnect the IDE and power cable from the back of the extra drive before performing a system recovery or all information stored on the drive may be lost.
NOTE: HP PCs that ship with Microsoft Windows XP do not come with recovery CDs. Instead, they use a hidden space (partition) on the hard drive to store the recovery information. The use of a hidden partition provides a convenient process that eliminates the use of recovery discs that may be lost or scratched. Recovery discs for Windows XP are available from HP for a minimal cost. Go to the section " Related support " for ordering information. Your PC may also contain Recovery Creation software.
Recovering from Windows XP
Use the following steps to Recover the PC from the Windows XP desktop:

1.
Backup files from the My Documents folder and from other folders you may have created.
2.
Disconnect all connected devices (such as the Personal Media Drive, USB drives, printer, and fax), remove media from drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware. Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cord.
3.
From the Windows XP desktop, click Start, All Programs, and then one of the following options:
NOTE: The following options are for HP PCs. Compaq PCs will have similar options (for example, Compaq Tools).
*
HP Tools, and then HP PC System Recovery.
*
Hewlett-Packard, hp pavilion pc tools, and hp pc system recovery.
*
PC Help & Tools, and then HP PC System Recovery.
A recovery Welcome screen appears.
4.
Click Yes or OK to continue the recovery process.
The PC restarts to the recovery program. If another welcome screen is displayed, click OK to continue.
5.
Select one of the following procedures, depending on which recovery type you want to perform:
*
To perform a system recovery, click Next, and then click Yes
*
To perform a destructive recovery, click Advanced, (select Destructive Recovery) and then click Next.
CAUTION: A destructive recovery will format the hard drive. This will delete all the information on the hard drive and reinstall Windows XP and the original software that came with the computer.
6.
Read and respond to each window and screen that appears.
7.
After the System Recovery is complete, the PC restarts and continues into Windows setup. Complete the setup screens and wait until the PC finishes the setup.
NOTE: It may take a long time to complete Windows setup. This time varies and may take over several hours. Recovery times are most affected by using recovery discs that were ordered from HP and/or the amount of files that were stored in the user account folders (for example, My Documents and the Desktop).
8.
Before using your PC, update and protect your PC. For more information, refer to Things To Do After Performing a System Recovery in Windows XP .
9. Re-install applications that you added after puchasing the PC, and any files that you have backed up.

Recovering during startup
Use the following steps to perform a recovery from the hard drive:

1.
Backup files from the My Documents folder and from other folders you may have created.
2.
Disconnect all connected devices (such as the Personal Media Drive, USB drives, printer, and fax), remove media from drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware. Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cord.
3.
Turn on the PC.
4.
Just after the first screen appears (the logo screen), press the F10 key repeatedly until a recovery menu appears.
5.
Select one of the following procedures, depending on which recovery type you want to perform:
*
To perform a standard system recovery, click Next, and then click Yes
*
To perform a destructive recovery, click Advanced, (select Destructive Recovery) and then click Next.
CAUTION: A destructive recovery will format the hard drive. This will delete all the information on the hard drive and reinstall Windows XP and the original software that came with the computer.
6.
Read and respond to each window and screen that appears.
7.
After the System Recovery is complete, the PC restarts and continues into Windows setup. Complete the setup screens and wait until the computer finishes the setup.

Sorry, no secret key. Are you using a wired keyboard?

Tony