HP Presario C302, Presario C303, Presario C304, Presario C305, Presario C306 User Manual

Software Update, Backup, and Recovery

User Guide

© Copyright 2006 Hewlett-Packard
Development Company, L.P.

Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

The information contained herein is subject
to change without notice. The only
warranties for HP products and services are
set forth in the express warranty statements
accompanying such products and services.
Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting an additional warranty. HP shall
not be liable for technical or editorial errors
or omissions contained herein.

Third Edition: September 2006

First Edition: May 2006

Document Part Number: 416394-003

Table of contents

1 Updating software

Updating the BIOS ............................................................................................................................... 2

Updating software programs and drivers ............................................................................................. 4

2 Recovering system information

Backing up your information ................................................................................................................. 6

When to back up .................................................................................................................. 6

Back up suggestions ............................................................................................................ 6

Using system restore points ................................................................................................................. 7

When to create restore points .............................................................................................. 7

Create a system restore point .............................................................................................. 7

Restore to a previous date and time .................................................................................... 7

Creating recovery discs ........................................................................................................................ 8

Reinstalling software programs and drivers ......................................................................................... 9

Reinstalling preinstalled programs and drivers .................................................................... 9

Reinstalling programs from discs ......................................................................................... 9

Performing a recovery ........................................................................................................................ 10

Recovering from the recovery discs .................................................................................. 10

Recovering from the partition on the hard drive ................................................................. 10

Deleting the recovery partition on the hard drive ................................................................................ 11

Updating reinstalled software ............................................................................................................. 12

Index ................................................................................................................................................................... 13

ENWW iii

iv ENWW

1 Updating software

Updated versions of the software provided with your computer may be available on the HP Web site.

Most software and BIOS updates on the HP Web site are packaged in compressed files called
SoftPaqs.

Some download packages contain a file named Readme.txt, which contains information regarding
installing and troubleshooting the file.

To update the software:

1. Identify your computer model, product category, and series or family. Prepare for a system BIOS

update by identifying the BIOS version currently installed on the computer.

If your computer is connected to a network, consult the network administrator before installing any
software updates, especially system BIOS updates.

NOTE The computer system BIOS is stored on the system ROM. The BIOS initializes the

operating system, determines how the computer will interact with the hardware devices, and
provides for data transfer among hardware devices, including the time and date.

2. Access the updates by visiting the HP Web site at http://www.hp.com.

3. Install the updates.

ENWW 1

Updating the BIOS

To determine whether available BIOS updates contain later BIOS versions than those currently installed
on the computer, you need to know the version of the system BIOS currently installed.

BIOS version information (also known as ROM date and System BIOS) can be displayed by pressing

fn+esc (if you are already in Microsoft® Windows®) or by opening the Setup Utility.

To use the Setup Utility for displaying BIOS information:

1. Open the Setup Utility by turning on or restarting the computer, and then pressing f10 while the

“Press <F10> to enter Setup” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen.

2. If the Setup Utility does not open with the system information displayed, use the arrow keys to

select the Main menu.

When the Main menu is selected, BIOS and other system information is displayed.

3. To exit the Setup Utility, use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Discarding Changes, and then

press enter.

CAUTION To prevent damage to the computer or an unsuccessful installation, download and

install a BIOS update only when the computer is connected to reliable external power using the
AC adapter. Do not download or install a BIOS update while the computer is running on battery
power, docked in an optional docking device, or connected to an optional power source. During
the download and installation, follow these instructions:

Do not disconnect power from the computer by unplugging the power cord from the AC outlet.

Do not shut down the computer or initiate standby or hibernation.

Do not insert, remove, connect, or disconnect any device, cable, or cord.

To download a BIOS update:

1. Access the page on the HP Web site that provides software for your computer:

Select Start > Help and Support, and then select the software and drivers update.

2. Follow the instructions on the screen to identify your computer and access the BIOS update you

want to download.

3. At the download area:

a. Identify the BIOS update that is later than the BIOS version currently installed on your

computer. Make a note of the date, name, or other identifier. You may need this information
to locate the update later, after it has been downloaded to your hard drive.

b. Follow the instructions on the screen to download your selection to the hard drive.

Make a note of the path to the location on your hard drive where the BIOS update will be
downloaded. You will need to access this path when you are ready to install the update.

NOTE If you connect your computer to a network, consult the network administrator before

installing any software updates, especially system BIOS updates.

2 Chapter 1 Updating software ENWW