HP Pavillion 7929

[printerman]

Hi Just been given a very nice model of the above. It comes with Millenium installed. I would like to reinstall (to get the crap off before i flog it) but didn't get given the disk. I do have a license sticker on the side though. I've read about some pcs having a partition with the software in this area for re-installation. Is this the case with this model or do i have to source a new disk?

[Graham M]

Originally Posted by printerman

It comes with Millenium installed.

Oh dear God. How old is the laptop?

[printerman]

its not a laptop. A few years old...still has life in it though...hardly used 1ghz 30gb ram...I know a lot of you boys on here will laugh at that but it is perfectly useful for most general users.

[bopdude]

I don't know for sure about your model type etc etc, I think some had / have the restore files in the i386 folder, in the windows dir, IIRC , someone else should be able to tell you better ( nffc ) or you can buy restore cd's from here £17.50 tho.

HTH

Originally Posted by printerman

its not a laptop. A few years old...still has life in it though...hardly used 1ghz 30gb ram...I know a lot of you boys on here will laugh at that but it is perfectly useful for most general users.

30 gig of ram I think not. DO you have any 9x based operating systems? how much actual ram do you have?

[bopdude]

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

30 gig of ram I think not. DO you have any 9x based operating systems? how much actual ram do you have?

LOL, I saw that,just assumed it was a typo

Originally Posted by bopdude

I don't know for sure about your model type etc etc, I think some had / have the restore files in the i386 folder, in the windows dir, IIRC , someone else should be able to tell you better ( nffc ) or you can buy restore cd's from here £17.50 tho.

HTH

you need to create a dos boot floppy cd... and browse and run from location

if you can save the i386 directory to cd you can perform a clean install . Boot from win 9x floppy and boot with cd rom support(maybe after formatting the drive at your own risk). change directory to the cd drive and switch to i386/winnt.exe (not sure if it is there check first)

[printerman]

Ops! quite right.! Its got 128mb ram. Thats why i don't really want to put xp on there ( even though i do have a spare sp home license). Millenium would be better i think. I do have a 98 license somewhere though...do you think that would be better?

[bopdude]

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

you need to create a dos boot floppy cd... and browse and run from location

if you can save the i386 directory to cd you can perform a clean install . Boot from win 9x floppy and boot with cd rom support(maybe after formatting the drive at your own risk). change directory to the cd drive and switch to i386/winnt.exe (not sure if it si there)

Ah ha, I knew it had something to do with that folder, like I said, someone more knowledgeable than me would be along one thing tho mate, doesn't mention ME in that link, is ME akin to one of the other OS's

that link didnt actually give the information i hoped so ignore it lol
iirc there is the i386 folder installed by default by 9x operating systems. I

[nffc]

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...&product=60205

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...=60205&rule=16

This document applies to HP Pavilions that came with Microsoft Windows 98 and Me.
Perform the following steps to restore Windows and software to the original state:
CAUTION: Performing a Destructive Recovery will format the hard drive. This will delete all the information on the hard drive and reinstall Windows 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.

1. If any software programs are open, close them now.
   CAUTION: Make sure that any peripherals (such as a printers, scanners, or USB drives) and non-preinstalled internal IDE hard drives are disconnected from the PC when performing a System Recovery.
   
2. With the PC on, insert the first recovery disc into the top CD or DVD drive.
3. Restart the PC.
4. At the HP Recovery Welcome screen, press any key on the keyboard to continue. If the Welcome screen does not appear, try running the system recovery using the following method:
   1. Close all software programs running in Windows.
   2. With the HP Recovery disc one in the CD/CD-RW/DVD drive, click Start, click Shut Down, and then click Shut Down the computer.
   3. After 30 seconds, turn on the PC by pressing the Power button.
   4. At the Welcome to HP Pavilion Recovery window, press any key to continue.
5. Read the Warning message on the screen and then click OK.
6. Click Recover.
7. Select one of the following Recovery methods:
   • Format and Recover. Selecting this method performs a destructive recovery and completely erases all software programs and data files before restoring the computer to its original settings. If the data files have not been saved to a disc, exit this program and save the data files before continuing.
   • Recover Only. HP recommends trying this method first if possible. Recovery Only performs a sytem recovery and restores WIndows without erasing most other files. Other software that was installed after the computer was purchased will need to be reinstalled.
8. Click Yes to continue.
9. If prompted, replace the current CD with the next CD, and click OK.
10. When the recovery process has completed, click OK.
    Some settings in Windows may have to be re-entered and the Microsoft Windows license agreement will need to be completed again.
11. After the System Recovery is complete, and the computer starts successfully, update the PC software as follows:
    • Update the antivirus software virus definitions .
    • Update Drivers and Software with Windows Update .
    • Get the latest versions of software and drivers .

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...=60205&rule=16

This document provides information about obtaining recovery discs for HP and Compaq desktop PCs.

NOTE: Most HP and Compaq desktop PCs that ship with Windows XP do not come with recovery discs. Instead, they use a hidden space (partition) on the hard drive to store the recovery information. Using a hidden partition provides a convenient, more stable recovery solution.


Step 1: Create a set of recovery discs or a recovery DVD
To create the recovery disc set, open HP or Compaq's Recovery CD-DVD Creator software from the Windows Start menu and follow the on-screen directions. For more information, read the HP support document HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Creating Recovery CDs and DVDs Using Recovery Creator Software (in English).
If you cannot create recovery discs, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Order recovery CDs on the Web

NOTE: The steps in this section apply to United States and Canada. For Europe, Middle East, and Africa please refer to the HP support document Europe, Middle East, and Africa - Statement on the Availability of the Recovery Software on CD . For other countries/regions, contact your local HP support center for information about obtaining recovery CDs.

If recovery discs are available for your PC, the links to order Recovery discs can be found in the Software and Driver download section of your PC's support page on the HP Customer Care website.
If you are already at your PC's support page, click the Software and Driver downloads link from the main support page to access the recovery disc ordering links.
Figure 1: Software & Driver downloads link

Otherwise, use the following steps to find the recovery disc ordering links:

1. Go to the Software & Driver Downloads page .
2. Enter the product number or model name for your PC into the field provided.
   Figure 2: Product name/number field
   
3. Click the operating system link (the version of Windows that came with your computer).
   Figure 3: Example of operating system link
   
4. Find the Recovery Disc ordering section and click on the link to start the ordering process.
   
   NOTE: Before attempting to order, make sure that you have read the important "Read this..." information listed in this Recover Disc ordering section.
   
   
   NOTE: If the link to order a recovery disc set is not available, there may not be any more sets available for purchase. HP cannot create recovery discs that contain a version of Windows that has been obsolesced by Microsoft, such as Windows 95, 98, and Me. Some recovery disc sets may have run out of stock and may not be available to order.
   
   Figure 4: Recovery disc ordering links
   
5. Follow the directions from the "Read this.." article and from the ordering pages to complete the ordering process.
   
   NOTE: The ordering pages use a secure connection to protect your privacy.
   

If you cannot create a recovery discs set and you cannot order a recovery disc set from HP, go to the next step.

Step 3: Contact Support
If you have tried the steps 1 and 2 and could not create or obtain a recovery disc set, contact HP Customer Care . HP Customer Care may be able to send out new discs or replace defective versions depending on your situation.

The only obstacle I can think, is that MS have blocked ME cd duplication/supply - ie, that no-one is allowed to supply a method to reinstall ME. (It's a EOL product!)

Here's the ordering link found on this page.


Not looking good, though.

Originally Posted by printerman

Ops! quite right.! Its got 128mb ram. Thats why i don't really want to put xp on there ( even though i do have a spare sp home license). Millenium would be better i think. I do have a 98 license somewhere though...do you think that would be better?

I would put 98 second ed at it

[nffc]

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

I would put 98 second ed at it

Yes, possibly, or Win2k.

[Nikesh]

I would put Windows 2000 on it mate.

[The Jackal]

Maaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnn where are the linux folks ?

INSTALL LINUX That'll bring life back to the machine.