I want to restore my hp pavilion dv4000 to factory settings but nothing i try will get me to the recovery manager

Dear Costmer,
Power up the PC while holding the F11 key down hold the key down for 10 seconds, see if recovery manager starts, if it does not, you have 2 choices.
1. Use the product Key on the COA sticker and a XP OEM install disc to reinstall windows.
2. Order a set of recovery discs

[email protected]

I always start by downloading Belarc Advisor (www.belarc.com), download and install it, allow to load, print out the entire inventory of all hardware & software. This will tell you what hardware you have including BIOS version is currently installed. Next, back up to other media all data you may need that is reachable on the hard drive....The RECOVERY OPERATION will DESTROY ALL DATA and reformat the HARD DRIVE! (IMPORTANT).

First check the label on the bottom of the laptop (open an internet browser to the following link;), and click on the actual model # of your dv4000. As can be seen by the list, there are 17 different models of HP dv4000 laptops made (most are RECOVERED to FACTORY RESET the same way though, either by diskset (the Complete Factory Restore Disk sets are model number specific, and can be ordered at the HP driver Downloads link), or from the Restore Partition (usually labeled D: Recovery Partition), on the hard drive (as long as the HD has not been replaced previously or recently).

Also always download and install all needed driver updates from that model specific link at HP, after the Recovery Operation is completed, and install all Windows Updates also.
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/support-search.html?tab=2#/qryterm=dv4000&search_searchtype=s-001

Once at the above link, and choosing your specific model from the list...(First save the link in favorites on a computer that will not be restored) Click on "How To" on the right, then System Recovery / Backup / Restore on the left. That may or may not contain the info you will need. So, click on the following link.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00006110&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en

Determine what OS (operating system), you have...Read all the info first at the links you need to choose depending on the model and OS you have of dv4000. Follow the instructions step by step.

Drivers are another category to go to and download all Drivers into separate individual Hardware Drivers folders after the Recovery is completed. Start always with the BIOS, then Chipset, Audio, Video and then all the others.

I also perform Professionally done HP dv4000 Full Factory New Like Recoveries including data BU disk sets. For $125.00 plus the costs of any data BU DVD's and any required HP RESTORE Disk Sets if necessary and return shipping required if it is beyond your abilities. Contact me if you wish to take advantage of that offer.

Good luck!

cglrcng

Which operating system ?????.....
The HP Recovery Partition that comes pre-installed on most new HPs is like built-in insurance if your system becomes unstable or fails.
If the problem is severe enough, you may not be able to start the HP Desktop Recovery Manager from Windows but you can start it manually by following the steps below.

Disconnect all peripheral devices and power on the computer.
Press the F11 key after the computer first powers on to start the HP Recovery Manager.

Follow the on-screen instructions to back up recoverable files on the hard drive to an external drive or media.
Continue following the instructions to recover the hard drive to its original factory condition.
Click "Finish" when the recovery is complete.
Reconnect devices and reboot the computer.
Reinstall software and update Windows and HP to current settings.


Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows Vista)
HP Pavilion Recovery Partition
Accessing the recovery partition on your HP Pavilion laptop allows you to restore your computer to speed it up, eliminate a virus or repair your Windows operating system.
The Recovery Manager program makes it possible to restore your laptop to its settings as of a previous date or restore your computer to its original factory settings, which will erase all of your installed programs and personal data.
Using the recovery partition allows you to bypass the hassle of keeping track of recovery discs, which could be damaged in storage, rendering them useless when you need them.

Turn on or restart your HP Pavilion laptop.
Press "F11" when the "Press <F11> for recovery" message appears during the HP Pavilion boot process.
Select "Recovery Manager" from your list of recovery options and press "Enter."
The Recovery Manger program will open on your screen, and you can begin the recovery process.
Access Recovery Manager Within Windows
Click the "Start" icon or "Start" button in the lower left corner of your Windows home screen.
Click "All Programs" and then "Recovery Manager."
Click "Recovery Manager" again to open the Recovery Manager program on your HP Pavilion laptop.
using the hp recovery manager in windows 7

Hi and Welcome to fixya!

In order to reset your machine to the factory settings, just follow these steps:

Access the HP Backup and Recovery Manager

1. Turn on the computer and hold down the "F11" key once the BIOS prompts appear on the monitor.

2. Click on the button labeled "Advanced Options" in the Welcome Screen once the Recover Manager opens. Choose the "System Recovery" option and click "Next."

3. If the "Microsoft System Restore" window appears, select "No" and click "Next."

4. The Recovery Manager will then prompt you to back up any important files as the restoration process will delete all data on the computer's hard drive. If you wish to perform a backup first, select "Back up your files first," click "Next" and follow the on-screen instructions. If not, choose the "Recover without backing up your files" and click the "Next" button. The computer will then begin the restoration process and restore the HP DV4000 to its original factory settings.

Hope this helps!

Takasashi

Using the recovery partition

• 1 Turn on your computer and insert your recovery disc. Press F10 during start-up to open the console. This opens up the HP recovery console.
• 2 Click "Next" on the screen that appears.
• 3 Choose whether you want a nondestructive recovery (one that keeps your files in place) or a destructive one (one that erases your disk and rebuilds your system to factory defaults). If most of your files aren't corrupted or are still usable, go with a nondestructive recovery. Otherwise, perform the destructive recovery.
• 4 Follow the instructions on the prompts that appear to restore your HP Pavillion.

Using recovery discs

• 1 Turn on your computer. Press F1 at the first logo screen to enter the BIOS menu.
• 2 Move to the Boot Options section of the BIOS menu. Look for the Boot Priority menu.
• 3 Set the Boot Priority option to booting the CD-ROM first.
• 4 Insert the first recovery disc into the HP laptop. Then press "Enter" on your keyboard to save your settings and exit. The computer will then reboot into the recovery console.
• 5 Follow the instructions on the prompts that appear, to restore your laptop.

The Recovery Manager program makes it possible to restore your laptop to its settings as of a previous date or restore your computer to its original factory settings, which will erase all of your installed programs and personal data. Using the recovery partition allows you to bypass the hassle of keeping track of recovery discs, which could be damaged in storage, rendering them useless when you need them.


Instructions

Access Recovery Manager During Windows Startup
1. 1 Turn on or restart your HP Pavilion laptop.
   
2. 2 Press "F11" when the "Press <F11> for recovery" message appears during the HP Pavilion boot process.
   
3. 3 Select "Recovery Manager" from your list of recovery options and press "Enter." The Recovery Manger program will open on your screen, and you can begin the recovery process.
   Access Recovery Manager Within Windows
4. 1 Click the "Start" icon or "Start" button in the lower left corner of your Windows home screen.
   
5. 2 Click "All Programs" and then "Recovery Manager."
   
6. 3 Click "Recovery Manager" again to open the Recovery Manager program on your HP Pavilion laptop.
   

There wouldn't be. It should have come with all of the restore CD's. If not, then call HP and have them sent to you.

Have you tried F8 instead?

Press F11 at system startup to get to the NEC recovery menu. From there, you can restore your factory settings. However, a "destructive" recovery will wipe the hard drive, including your personal files. Best to back those up first before performing the recovery.

Hope this helps - remember to rate :)

If windows still boots ( and the original hard drive is still in the computer) you can click the start button and find the HP Recovery Manager under the All Programs list. It is probably tucked away under one of the HP tabs.

If windows doesn't boot, and you still have the original hard drive you can press F11 when your first turn it on at the HP logo screen. It should start the recovery program. (The F key can be different on different laptops but most recent HP's are F11)

Be careful, doing a System Restore will erase all your Data, so backup anything important!