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HP Stream 7 and HP Stream 8 Tablet PCs - Performing an HP System Recovery

This document pertains to HP Tablet computers that came with Windows 8 installed.
This document explains how to restore the system software or a full software image on the HP tablet.
note:
If you are not using the latest version of Windows 8, some graphics and information in this document may vary. You can get the latest version from the Microsoft Store.

Types of system recovery (Windows 8)

Your computer might have three types of System Recovery available, or it might have only two. Use the recovery type that resolves your issue without making more changes than necessary.
  • System Recovery: This option reformats the system drive (usually C:), reinstalls the original operating system, and reinstalls all the original hardware drivers and software.
      warning:
    If the size of the OS partition (usually C:) was reduced below a minimum size requirement, other user-created partitions are removed and stored data is destroyed.
  • Factory Reset: Factory Reset removes all partitions, reformats the entire hard drive, reinstalls the original operating system, and reinstalls all the original hardware drivers and software. This option also recreates the required Recovery partition (usually D:) and reinstalls the required software. The factory reset recreates the required Recover Partition (usually D:) and all other required partitions.
    The Factory Reset option returns all of the computer's software to the condition it was in at the time of purchase. All user changes or additions are removed.
  • Minimized Image Recovery: Available on many of HP's notebook computers, the Minimized Image Recovery reinstalls the original operating system and hardware drivers, and reinstalls essential HP software such as HP Support Assistant and HP Recovery Manager.

Restore system software while retaining your settings and apps (Refresh your PC)

You can use the Refresh your PC feature in Windows 8 to restore files without affecting some of your other software. When troubleshooting software problems, use Refresh your PC before using the other recovery options.
The Refresh your PC feature does the following actions:
  • Your files and personalization settings such as libraries, user accounts, and desktop themes are saved.
  • Computer settings are returned to the defaults.
  • Apps from the Windows store are reinstalled, and the settings are reset to their defaults. Internet connectivity is not required to reinstall these apps.
Use the following steps to refresh your computer:
  1. Swipe in from the right edge to open the Charms menu and tap Settings.
  2. Tap Change PC Settings, tap Update and recovery, and then tap Recovery.
  3. Under Refresh your PC without affecting your files, tap Get started.
    Figure : Update and recovery
    Image: Update and recovery
  4. On the Refresh your PC screen, tap Next.
    Figure : Refreshing your computer
    Image of the Refresh your PC screen.
  5. When ready, tap Refresh.
    Figure : Ready to refresh your computer
    Image: Ready to refresh your computer
  6. Wait while Windows refreshes your computer. This might take more than 20 minutes, and your computer will restart.
    Figure : Refreshing your computer
    Refreshing your computer.
  7. When the refresh is complete and the lock screen appears, login to Windows.
    note:
    At the end of the refresh process, an HTML file called Removed Apps.html might be placed on the desktop with a list of the desktop apps that were removed so you know what to reinstall.

Restore original system software (Reset your PC)

You can use the Reset your PC feature in Windows 8 to restore files to the original factory settings.
The Reset your PC feature does the following actions:
  • Your personal files such as libraries, personalization settings, user accounts, and desktop themes are permanently removed.
  • The computer settings are returned to default values.
  • Apps and other software that were originally installed on the computer are reinstalled and their settings are reset to defaults.
  • Software, apps, programs, and everything that you have installed or saved on the computer are removed.
Use the following steps to reset your computer from the Start screen:
  1. Swipe in from the right edge to open the Charms menu and then tap Settings.
  2. Tap Change PC Settings, tap Update and recovery, and then tap Recovery.
  3. Under Remove everything and reinstall Windows, tap Get started.
    Figure : Update and recovery
    Image of Update and recovery window.
  4. On the Reset your PC screen, tap Next.
  5. If prompted to insert media, insert an SD card that contains the system recovery image into the card slot following the below steps:
    1. Remove the back panel with your thumbnail or a flat blade tool that does not damage the surface. Spread the edges of the back cover of the tablet until you have removed the cover.
      Figure : Remove the backcover
      image: Remove the backcover
    2. Before placing the tablet with display panel facing down, make sure the work surface has no foreign objects. Failure to follow this precaution can damage the entire display panel.
    3. Insert the microSD memory card reader slot with the copper contacts facing down.
    4. Once inserted the memory, put back the back panel.
      Figure : Insert the microSD card for recovery
      Image: Insert the microSD card for recovery
  6. A screen opens titled "Do you want to fully clean your hard drive?"
    • Select Just remove my files if you are going to continue using the computer.
    • Select Fully clean the drive if you are planning on selling, donating or discarding the tablet. This method is more effective at obscuring the previous data.
    Figure : Choosing the cleaning level
    Image of the Reset your PC screen.
  7. On the Ready to reset your PC screen, tap Reset.
      caution:
    Your personal files and settings will be destroyed by performing this step. Make sure you have backed up all your important files on another drive before performing a reset. If you need help backing up your files, you might want to contact a professional data recovery service.
    Figure : Resetting the computer
    Image of the Reset your PC screen.
  8. Wait while Windows resets your computer. This might take a few minutes, and your computer will restart.
    Figure : Resetting your computer
    Resetting your computer.

Reset your computer using the System Recovery option

Complete the following steps to reset your computer using the System Recovery option on the Startup screen:
  caution:
All data on the drive is removed during this process. Back up your important information before attempting the recovery.
  1. Shut down the tablet.
  2. First, press the Volume Down button and then press and hold the Power button for about 4 seconds. Release both buttons until the Startup Menu displays.
    Figure : Power and Volume Down buttons
    Image: Power and Volume Down buttons
  3. From the Startup menu, tap F11 to select System Recovery.
    Figure : System Recovery selection on the Startup menu
     System Recovery selection called out from the Startup menu.
  4. On the Choose an option screen, tap Troubleshoot.
    Figure : Tapping the Troubleshoot option
    Tapping the Troubleshoot option
  5. On the Troubleshoot screen, tap Reset your PC.
    Figure : Tapping Reset your PC on the Troubleshoot screen
    Tapping Reset your PC on the Troubleshoot screen
  6. If prompted to insert media, insert an SD card that contains the system recovery image into the card slot.
    note:
    If you have a 32GB tablet, insert the micro SD card provided with your tablet (or a new blank 8GB or 16GB microSD card) into the microSD slot. If you have a 64GB version of the tablet, you do not need to insert a microSD card.
    Figure : Reset your PC screen
    Reset your PC screen
    Follow these steps to insert an SD card into your tablet:
    1. Remove the back panel with your thumbnail or a flat blade tool that does not damage the surface. Spread the edges of the back cover of the tablet until you have removed the cover.
      Figure : Remove the backcover
      image: Remove the backcover
    2. Before placing the tablet with display panel facing down, make sure the work surface has no foreign objects. Failure to follow this precaution can damage the entire display panel.
    3. Insert the microSD memory card reader slot with the copper contacts facing down.
    4. Once inserted the memory, put back the back panel.
      Figure : Insert the microSD card for recovery
      Image: Insert the microSD card for recovery
  7. Read and respond to any screens that open.
  8. Wait while Windows resets your computer. This might take a few minutes. When the reset is complete, your computer will restart.

Reset your computer when Windows will not open and a "Choose an option" screen opens

If Windows cannot open to the Start screen but opens to the Choose an option screen, you can still use Reset your PC.
Use the following steps to reset your computer when Windows opens to the Choose an option screen:
  1. On the Choose an option window, tap Troubleshoot.
    Figure : Choose an option screen
    Choose an option screen with Troubleshoot selected.
  2. Tap Reset your PC.
    Figure : Troubleshoot screen with Reset your PC selected
     Troubleshoot Screen with Reset your PC selected.
  3. On the Reset your PC screen, tap Next.
      caution:
    Your personal files and settings will be destroyed by performing this step. Make sure you have backed up all your important files on another drive before performing a reset. If you need help backing up your files, you might want to contact a professional data recovery service.
    Figure : Reset your PC screen
     Reset your PC screen with Next button selected.
  4. Read and respond to any screens that open.
  5. Wait while Windows resets your computer. This might take a few minutes. When the reset is complete, your computer will restart.

Recovering all original software using an HP USB recovery solution

If the system image has been damaged or corrupted and the Reset your PC feature does not work, you can use a USB recovery device from HP to restore the original software configuration.
HP USB recovery devices are obtained by ordering one from HP's website or are provided through HP assisted support channels under certain conditions.
  caution:
All data on the drive is removed during this process. Back up your important information before attempting the recovery.
note:
Make sure that the tablet screen is in landscape orientation during the recovery process.
  1. Shut down the tablet.
  2. Connect the HP recovery device using a USB to microSD adapter or OTG (on-the-go) cable.
    Figure : Recovery device connection
     Photograph showing an HP recovery device connected to the tablet's microUSB slot using an OTG cable.
  3. If your tablet shipped with a micro SD card, insert that card into the micro SD slot. If your tablet did not ship with a micro SD card, using an SD card is optional.
    A system image is created on the card during the recovery process for the tablet. You can then use this card in the future for the Microsoft Windows 8 features Refresh your PC and Reset your PC.
    Follow these steps to insert an SD card into your tablet:
    1. Remove the back panel with your thumbnail or a flat blade tool that does not damage the surface. Spread the edges of the back cover of the tablet until you have removed the cover.
      Figure : Remove the backcover
      image: Remove the backcover
    2. Before placing the tablet with display panel facing down, make sure the work surface has no foreign objects. Failure to follow this precaution can damage the entire display panel.
    3. Insert the microSD memory card reader slot with the copper contacts facing down.
    4. Once inserted the memory, put back the back panel.
      Figure : Insert the microSD card for recovery
      Image: Insert the microSD card for recovery
  4. First, press the Volume Down button and then press and hold the Power button for about 4 seconds. Release both buttons until the Startup Menu displays.
    Figure : Power and Volume Down buttons
    Image: Power and Volume Down buttons
  5. From the Startup menu, tap F9 to select Boot Device Options.
    Figure : Boot Device Options selection on the Startup menu
    Image: Boot Device Options selection on the Startup menu
  6. Tap USB Hard Drive (UEFI) listed in the Boot Options menu.
    note:
    If USB Hard Drive (UEFI) is not shown, check the USB cable connection and make sure you are connected to the correct port, and try again.
  7. Select your language and tap OK.
    Figure : Select a language
    Select a language screen with English selected.
  8. On the Welcome screen, tap Next.
  9. Read the caution screen, select Yes if you want to continue, and then tap Next.
    Figure : System Recovery screen with cautions
    System Recovery screen with Yes selected.
  10. DO NOT INTERRUPT THE RECOVERY PROCESS. The recovery and setup process can take more than 2 hours to complete. Be sure to leave the tablet connected to power using the AC Adapter and do not turn off the tablet during the recovery process.
    Figure : Factory image recovery preparations screen showing progress
     Factory image recovery preparations screen showing the progress of recovery at 69%.
  11. When the Factory image recovery preparations screen appears and asks to insert a supplemental USB drive, tap Skip if you do not have a second USB recovery device that is marked as supplemental.
    Figure : Factory image recovery preparations screen for a supplemental device
     Factory image recovery preparations screen with the Skip button selected.
  12. When the Recovery preparation is complete screen opens, disconnect the USB recovery device from the microUSB port and then tap Continue.
    note:
    If the USB device is not disconnected, the computer restarts and attempts another system recovery. If this happens, disconnect the device and restart the tablet to continue.
    Figure : Recovery preparation is complete
     Recovery preparation is complete screen with Continue button selected.
  13. Wait while the software setup process completes.
  14. After the system recovery is complete, tap Finish to restart the computer.
     Recovery is complete screen with Finish button selected.
  15. Tap Finish on the Recovery is complete screen to continue to Windows setup.
    Recovery has been completed.