Creating a Second Set of Recovery Discs? nc8430

I created a set of recovery DVDs when I got my laptop, only now to have the DVDs scratched beyond recognition. The software won't let me create another set, though I can still use the recovery partition. Problem? Installing Vista will delete the partition and I want to have a way to go back to Windows XP. I did pay for the license, afterall...

Do I have any options?

 

XP partition or Vista?
If its a vista upgrade it will tie to your XP licence and not let you use it anyways... but I believe there is supposed to be a way to use http://www.nliteos.com/ to copy like the i386 folder to make your own XP disks with the software and drivers built in.

 

I have Vista Business 32bit DVD from MSDNAA. Using the HP install utility would delete my backup partition, hence leaving me with no way to return to XP.

Is there any way I can install Vista but also be able to go back to XP? Would I be able to partition my HDD to do so?

 

Acronis TrueImage. Make an image of your disk (you will another disk though to save it), try then Vista. If everything is ok you can keep Vista and reconfigure a recovery partition with Vista using HP utilities.

 

Try this:

Created your HP restore /recovery discs, and for some reason need to create a second set?

Lost /damaged, etc?

Use windows search
(include hidden files and folders, show known file extensions)

Search for the following file: hpcd.sys

There will be 2 copies,1 in C:\WINDOWS\SMINST and 1 in E:\

Just rename them to .bak and you can use the HP PC Recovery disc creater again.

 

Let us know if it works.
A MUST for HP (and other brands possibly?)!!!

 

Bump for this thread, I just did this and was able to create a second set of recovery disks.

I guess I have to rename hpcd.bak back to hpcd.sys in both locations.

 

You have to contact HP support to get a second copy sent to you free of charge (if you want an "official copy" or if the above suggestion does not work). You will have to give you Product and Serial number, located on the case as well as give you address and such. Make sure to press the fact that the discs are scratched beyond all recognition and make sure they don't try and make you pay $20. I just contacted them via Live Chat and they said the discs will take 5-7 working days to get here. Crossing fingers. Good luck

P.S. The files listed above were not on my computer. I was never able to fully make the first set, but I still got locked out when I tried to start over.

 

The files are hidden and system files, so you will not be able to see them unless you change the explorer options so they will show up. But, if you had problems making the first ones, it's possible there was something else going on which prevented them from being created.

 

I am running windows xp and it will not allow me access to the files hpcd.sys
even thought I have changed the view to show them. I instead booted with a live cd and accessed them from there. I still was unable to rename them because of the attributes and since I was using a live cd of windows xp I could not use the attrib command. So I moved them to a different location and rebooted into windows and am currently making my backup cds again

I actually have the originals I made but we have moved and I cannot find them.

Thanks for the help