Do I need all the original hardware to use a recovery disk?

[Derringer]

Well, I really can't reformat my hard drive since I only have the recovery disks. Now, according to the labels, it will "restore the computer to the original factory settings." Well, I upgraded some components in there such as the video card. Would there be some conflict/error during the recovery process because the card doesn't match the drivers listed on the recovery disks? Or does the recovery disks not have drivers for anything except the OS and all the programs HP installed?

[Mechanic]

You will likely have a problem. You can try to format the drive and load the recovery disks and see what happens. When you boot enter Safe mode and delete the video drivers by setting the video adapter to Vga. Then load the video drivers from the video card driver disk. You can download the updated drivers after you get the video card working.

If the restore fails I suggest that you purchase a copy of Windows XP Upgrade and load that. You will be asked to prove your ownership of ME or Win 98 by putting the disk in the CD tray temporarily. XP has drivers for many modern hardware devices and you probably have driver disks for the video card.

[Russell]

Generally, yes. For example, on the older Compaq Presario's, if you upgraded the system and then used the recovery disk, it would hiccup and not load ANY drivers on the system. This happened even if a printer was plugged in or the customer changed their mouse. You could just reload the drivers (not that simple at all with a Compaq...) and go on from there, except every once in awhile it would **** up Windows in a strange way. Essentially, you'd find that you could never load drivers ever again (at least until formatting and doing it properly).

Remember, most recovery CD's are a HDD image file. Copying an image over that contains the wrong drivers for your hardware can seriously **** things up.

Of course, upgrading it good and I encourage it. I do not, however, encourage the use of recovery CD's.

[flyerI]

If you have the key code (it should be on coa attached to the case or in the documentation) borrow a Windows disk from someone and do a fresh install. Just use the code you have already paid for when you bought your computer.

[Derringer]

Originally posted by flyerI
If you have the key code (it should be on coa attached to the case or in the documentation) borrow a Windows disk from someone and do a fresh install. Just use the code you have already paid for when you bought your computer.

Do you mean the numbers on the back of the manual with the words "windows"?

Damn, now where to find someone with a Windows Me Cd......

[I4one]

first of all "coa" from above means "Certificate of Authenticity"..with windows it's usually xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx...(98 is 5 sets of 5 groups)a combination of numbers and letters

The System recovery Discs "should" have many different brands/drivers ......Manually search it for your specific upgraded Hardware......
Be careful though of different language versions.....

Alternatively you could create a .bat(Batch) file and .inf installer files (such as Msbatch.exe)with the appropriate device/Class ID's and drivers loaded.....
(honestly for me, this way would be a real ball breaker)

For example,..I have 2 separate ones..."and" a Win98 OEM CD.......
I have an older Gateway
........I'm glad it's not a Compaq as I hear horror stories galore when reformatting ...

If the devices can be found on your Sys Rest CD's
I've even heard of doing this;
Go to HKLM\Enum key and delete it from the Registry right before using fdisk....This is supposed to "make" the OS "detect" the Hardware found and install the appropriate drivers.....

Actually...How much new hardware do you have..?
It's kinda importatnt in this situation

[I4one]

Did you say ME....?
nnnnnnnoooooooooo!!!!don't do it!!!

Find 98 SE or 98 instead

[clh61]

Originally posted by Derringer
Well, I really can't reformat my hard drive since I only have the recovery disks. Now, according to the labels, it will "restore the computer to the original factory settings." Well, I upgraded some components in there such as the video card. Would there be some conflict/error during the recovery process because the card doesn't match the drivers listed on the recovery disks? Or does the recovery disks not have drivers for anything except the OS and all the programs HP installed?

Hmmm the recovery disc should take care of it. I at one time had an HP w me. I upgraded a few things had no problem running the recovery disc.

[ewitte]

Originally posted by Russell
Generally, yes. For example, on the older Compaq Presario's, if you upgraded the system and then used the recovery disk, it would hiccup and not load ANY drivers on the system. This happened even if a printer was plugged in or the customer changed their mouse. You could just reload the drivers (not that simple at all with a Compaq...) and go on from there, except every once in awhile it would **** up Windows in a strange way. Essentially, you'd find that you could never load drivers ever again (at least until formatting and doing it properly).

Yes but it should actually run the restore as long as you have not replaced something like your MB. Drivers are a different issue but I've done it even on a Compaq. The only thing I do not like about his situation is ME Even a clean install is likely to give him problems.

Eric