How reliable are HP Recovery Discs created by Recovery software?

Just got the Envy 17 3D SB model. When I purchased, there was NO option for purchasing a backup recovery disc set. Guess I am gonna have to rely on the recovery creation software. Has anyone had issues with this? I know that one can recover using the partition itself...but I am thinking of down the road if I want to add an SSD. I want to rest assured that the Recovery discs I create will be good. Figure I will create the set...take out the HDD and put in a different one and try to restore the machine...guess the only way to see if it works. If NOT...could be trouble...

Thanks

Bob

 

The recovery disk creation verifies the data, so consider them reliable.

Be aware, you will not want (or not be able to) use the recovery disks with your SSD.

Two issues: 1) The image was created on standard disk, so SSD partition alignment will be off. 2) Non CTO images will not restore to disks of different sizes.

I recommend create recovery disks (as you should), back up the SwSetup folder, windows activation and do a clean install.

 

Interesting.

Will definately back up the SWSetup folder...I also have a spare version of Win 7 Home Premium 64 Bit, not used from my family upgrade pak.

 

When reinstalling windows before you format I suggest you take a look at this guide: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-compaq/432564-hp-laptop-out-box-guide-2-0-windows-7-a.html

if nothing else use ABR to back up your windows 7 activation so you don't have to call microsoft on the phone for an activation code.

 

They're going to need to come up with a fix for this.

 

The purpose of the recovery media is to recover the system to the default standard that it shipped as. If you change the hardware, HP (or any manufacturer) is not responsible to make your hardware work with their recovery tool. In fact, it might even be part of their contract with the imaging company who makes the software to take measures and only allow the tool to work with HP's hardware. If you want an agnostic imaging tool, buy one or download an open source solution; there are plenty around.

 

Why did they pull the option to get a clean OS disc? They just updated the regular Envy 17 model today, and its option got pulled too :-/

 

I recommend backing up the set you make. Someday one of your discs may get scratched. If you back up your recovery set, you will be relieved. I've been there. Further, having two sets makes it more sensible to delete the partition and reclaim that 30 gigs of space, as I will do later today. I am going to use my recovery discs that I made for the original Envy 17 I had. I don't want to give HP all my data and files.

 

What I figured I would do...

First thing...immediately back up the machine using Acronis True Image 2010. It recognizes the HP recovery partition, HP diagnostics partition and then C: This way...I have a second option to the "Out of Box" configuration. Also...should I, down the road, decide that I want to create a second set of Recovery Discs...this may be a way around it...other than looking for the files created that tell the software that the set was already made.

Then...after that is complete...make the recovery set of discs and put them in a safe place. I thought of testing the discs. I have a WD 320 GB "Black" drive with nothing on it...thought of pulling out the Samsung drive (that is the brand of the 7200 rpm 640 GB)...and using the discs to install all my software on the WD to make sure it works....

Any thoughts on this???