HP Compaq presario G61 Notebook PC – setup utility, backup and recovery, language change

Compaq Presario CQ61 Notebook PC - restore default, system information, system recovery, backup and more .....

Setup Utility

The Setup Utility is a ROM-based information and customization utility that can be used even when your Windows® operating system is not working.

The fingerprint reader (selected models only) cannot be used to access the Setup Utility.

The utility reports information about the computer and provides settings for startup, security, and other preferences.
To start the Setup Utility:

CAUTION: message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press f10.

or
1. Open the Setup Utility by turning ON, or restarting the computer. 

While the “Press the ESC key for Startup Menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press esc.

2. When the Startup Menu is displayed, press f10.

Changing the language of the Setup Utility

The following procedure explains how to change the language of the Setup Utility. 

If the Setup Utility is not already running, begin at step 1. If the Setup Utility is already running, begin at step 2.
1. Open the Setup Utility by turning on or restarting the computer. 

While the “Press the ESC key for Startup Menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press f10.
 or 
1. Open the Setup Utility by turning on or restarting the computer. 

While the “Press the ESC key for Startup Menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press esc. When the Startup Menu is displayed, press f10.

2. Use the arrow keys to select System Configuration > Language, and then press enter.
3. Use the arrow keys to select a language, and then press enter.
4. When a confirmation prompt with your language selected is displayed, press enter.
5. To save your change and exit the Setup Utility, use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Saving Changes, and then press enter.
Your change goes into effect immediately.

Navigating and selecting in the Setup Utility

Because the Setup Utility is not Windows based, it does not support the TouchPad. Navigation and selection are by keystroke.
 To choose a menu or a menu item, use the arrow keys.
 To choose an item in a list or to toggle a field, for example an Enable/Disable field, use either the arrow keys or f5 or f6.
 To select an item, press enter.
 To close a text box or return to the menu display, press esc.
 To display additional navigation and selection information while the Setup Utility is open, press f1.

Displaying system information

The following procedure explains how to display system information in the Setup Utility. If the Setup Utility is not open, begin at step 1. If the Setup Utility is open, begin at step 2.
1. Open the Setup Utility by turning on or restarting the computer. While the “Press the ESC key for Startup Menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press f10.
 or
Open the Setup Utility by turning on or restarting the computer. 

While the “Press the ESC key for Startup Menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press esc. When the Startup Menu is displayed, press f10.
2. Select the Main menu. System information such as the system time and date, and identification information about the computer is displayed.
3. To exit the Setup Utility without changing any settings, use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Discarding Changes, and then press enter.

Restoring default settings in Setup Utility

The following procedure explains how to restore the Setup Utility default settings. If the Setup Utility is not already running, begin at step 1. If the Setup Utility is already running, begin at step 2.
1. Open the Setup Utility by turning on or restarting the computer. While the “Press the ESC key for Startup Menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press f10.
 or 
Open the Setup Utility by turning on or restarting the computer. While the “Press the ESC key for Startup Menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press esc. When the Startup Menu is displayed, press f10.
2. Use the arrow keys to select Exit > Load Setup Defaults, and then press enter.
3. When the Setup Confirmation is displayed, press enter.
4. To save your change and exit the Setup Utility, use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Saving Changes, and then press enter.
The Setup Utility default settings go into effect when the computer restarts.

[Your password, security, and language settings are not changed when you restore the factory default settings.]

Exiting Setup Utility

You can exit the Setup Utility with or without saving changes.
 To exit the Setup Utility and save your changes from the current session:
If the Setup Utility menus are not visible, press esc to return to the menu display. 

Then use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Saving Changes, and then press enter.
 To exit the Setup Utility without saving your changes from the current session:
If the Setup Utility menus are not visible, press esc to return to the menu display. Then use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Discarding Changes, and then press enter.
After either choice, the computer restarts in Windows.

[1 GB = 1 billion bytes when referring to hard drive storage capacity. Actual accessible capacity is less. Actual drive specifications may differ slightly.]

Backup and recovery

Recovery after a system failure is as complete as your most current backup. HP recommends that you create recovery discs immediately after software setup. As you add new software and data files, you should continue to back up your system on a regular basis to maintain a reasonably current backup.
Tools provided by the operating system and HP Recovery Manager software are designed to help you with the following tasks for safeguarding your information and restoring it in case of a system failure:
 Creating a set of recovery discs (Recovery Manager software feature). 

Recovery discs are used to start up (boot) your computer and restore the operating system and software programs to factory settings in case of system failure or instability.
 Backing up your information regularly to protect your important system files.
 Creating system restore points (operating system feature). System restore points allow you to reverse undesirable changes to your computer by restoring the omputer to an earlier state.
 Recovering a program or driver (Recovery Manager software feature). 

This feature helps you reinstall a program or driver without performing a full system recovery.
 Performing a full system recovery (Recovery Manager software feature). 

With Recovery Manager, you can recover your full factory image if you experience system failure or instability. Recovery Manager works from a dedicated recovery partition (select models only) on the hard drive or from recovery discs you create.

[If your computer includes a solid-state drive (SSD), you been included for computers that do not have a partition. Use these discs to recover your operating system and may not have a recovery partition. Recovery discs have software. 

To check for the presence of a recovery partition, select Start > Computer. If the partition is present, an HP Recovery drive is listed in the Hard Disk Drives section of the window]

Creating recovery discs

HP recommends that you create recovery discs to be sure that you can restore your system to its original factory state if you experience serious system failure or instability. Create these discs after setting up the computer for the first time.  Handle these discs carefully and keep them in a safe place. The software allows the creation of only one set of recovery discs.

[If your computer does not include an internal optical (purchased separately) to create recovery discs, or youdrive, you can use an optional external optical drive can purchase recovery discs for your computer from the HP Web site.]

Note the following guidelines before creating recovery discs:
 You will need high-quality DVD-R, double-layer DVD-R, DVD+R, double-layer DVD+R, BD-R (writable Blu-ray), or CD-R discs. All these discs are purchased separately. DVDs and BDs have a much higher capacity than CDs. 

If you use CDs, up to 20 discs may be required, whereas only a few DVDs or BDs are required.

Read-write discs, such as CD-RW, DVD±RW, double-layer DVD±RW, and BD-RE (rewritable Blu-ray) discs, are not compatible with the Recovery Manager software.
 The computer must be connected to AC power during this process.

 Only one set of recovery discs can be created per computer.
 Number each disc before inserting it into the optical drive.
 If necessary, you can exit the program before you have finished creating the recovery discs. The next time you open Recovery Manager, you will be prompted to continue the disc creation process.

To create a set of recovery discs

1. Select Start > All Programs > Recovery Manager > Recovery Manager.
Recovery Manager opens.
2. Click Advanced Options.
[If you are operating the computer on battery power, you will be prompted to connect to AC power before you can go to the next step.]

3. Click Recovery disc creation, and then click Next.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

To back up
 On a regularly scheduled basis
[Set reminders to back up your information periodically.]
 Before the computer is repaired or restored
 Before you add or modify hardware or software.

Suggestions
 Create a set of recovery discs using Recovery Manager.
 Create system restore points using the Windows System Restore feature, and periodically copy them to disc.
 Store personal files in the Documents folder and back up this folder periodically.
 Back up templates stored in their associated programs.
 Save customized settings in a window, toolbar, or menu bar by taking a screen shot of your settings. The screen shot can be a time-saver if you have to reset your preferences.
To copy the screen and paste it into a word-processing document, follow these steps:
a. Display the screen.
b. Copy the screen:
To copy only the active window, press alt+fn+prt sc.
To copy the entire screen, press fn+prt sc.
c. Open a word-processing document, and then select Edit > Paste.

Using system restore points

When you back up your system, you are creating a system restore point. A system restore point allows you to save and name a snapshot of your hard drive at a specific point in time. You can then recover back to that point if you want to reverse subsequent changes made to your system.

[Recovering to an earlier restore point does not affect restore point]

You also can create additional restore points to provide increased protection for your system files and settings.

When to create restore points
 Before you add or extensively modify software or hardware
Periodically, whenever the system is performing optimally.

[If you revert to a restore point and then change your mind, you can reverse the restoration.]

Create a system restore point
1. Select Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > System.
2. In the left pane, click System Protection.
3. Click the System Protection tab.
4. Under Automatic restore points, select the disk for which you want to create a restore point.
5. Click Create.
The System Protection window opens.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Restore to a previous date and time
To revert to a restore point (created at a previous date and time), when the computer was functioning optimally, follow these steps:
1. Select Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > System.
2. In the left pane, click System protection.
3. Click the System Protection tab.
4. Click the System Restore button, and then click Next.
The System Restore window opens.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Performing a recovery

You can recover only files that you have previously to create an entire drive backup as soon as you set up your computer.

Recovery Manager software allows you to repair or restore the system if you experience system failure or instability. Recovery Manager works from recovery discs or from a dedicated recovery partition (select models only) on the hard drive. However, if your computer includes a solid-state drive (SSD), you may not have a recovery partition. If that is the case, recovery discs have been included with your computer. Use these discs to recover your operating system and software.

Windows has its own built-in repair features, such as have not already tried these features, try them before using Recovery Manager. System Restore and driver roll-back capabilities. 

If you have not already tried these features, try them before using Recovery Manager.

Recovery Manager recovers only software that was preinstalled computer must be downloaded from the manufacturer's Web site or reinstalled from the disc provided by the  at the factory. Software not provided with this manufacturer.

Recovering from the recovery discs
To restore the system from the recovery discs:
1. Back up all personal files.
2. Insert the first recovery disc into the optical drive and restart the computer.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Recovering from the dedicated recovery partition (select models only)

If your computer includes an SSD, you may not have a re this procedure. Recovery discs have been included for computers that do not have a recovery partition. You will not be able to recover using partition. Use these discs to recover your operating system and software.

On some models, you can perform a recovery from the partition on the hard drive from either the Start button or f11. This restores the computer to its factory condition.
To restore the system from the partition, follow these steps
1. Access Recovery Manager in either of the following ways:
 Select Start > All Programs > Recovery Manager > Recovery Manager.
  or
1. Restart the computer and press f11 while the “Press <F11> for recovery” message is displayed on the screen. Then select Recovery Manager.
Recovery Manager opens.
2. Click Advanced Options.
3. Click System recovery, and then click Next.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.