My HP mini 2010 needs to do a system recovery or restore. But it says i will lose all add programs and files. The back up file option in the recovery manager does let me select it, as i tried to do it previously and i cancelled halfway through. How can i back up my files before recoverying the system?

Restoring an HP computer to factory settings requires that you do a system recovery.
There are two types of recovery for HP computers: destructive and non-destructive.

Destructive recovery will reformat your hard drive, destroying all data and reinstalling the operating system and additional software according to the factory configuration.

Non-destructive, or "system," recovery will repair your Windows installation, replacing any damaged or missing system files and restoring the registry to the factory setting.

Non-destructive recovery is the best option if you are unable to back up your user data before running system recovery.Restoring with CDs


Back up all crucial user files if you are able to do so. If your computer will not burn CDs, use flash drives of 4GB or higher to store your data.

Alternatively, you can use your network to transfer files.
You can then back up your data to CDs at your leisure.

Detach peripheral devices such as removable media drives, USB drives and your printer before recovering.

Also remove any additional hard drives by disconnecting the cable from the back of the computer.
Leave your monitor, mouse and keyboard attached to the computer.

Shut down your computer.
Place the first recovery CD in the CD drive.

If your recovery files are written on a partition, you may be able to select system recovery from the splash screen and your computer starts.
Select the recovery option you would like to use.
To perform a destructive recovery, click the "Advanced" menu option.

Select "Destructive Recovery" and click "Next."
To perform a non-destructive, or system, recovery, click "Next" from the opening screen.
Watch the computer while it is recovering to the factory settings.
Watch for any errors, as the computer will wait indefinitely for a response from you, slowing down recovery time.

Also, you may need to insert additional recovery CDs as the recovery program requests them. Restoring With Recovery Manager

Click the Windows "Start" menu, type "Recovery" in the Search field and press "Enter."
Click "Advanced Options," choose "System Recovery" and select "Next."
If you are prompted to use Microsoft's recovery program, select "No."
Choose the option to back up your files, if you haven't done it already.
Once that is complete, choose "Next" to begin reformatting the drive and returning the system to factory settings. http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-Systems-and/How-do-I-RESTORE-my-system-to-the-original-factory-settings/td-p/50113

Try tapping the F11 key at system boot up (don't forget the function key if your keyboard has one) you should be taken to a menu that restores the system from a hidden partition on the drive.
If that doesn't work, then try the following:

Click Start [img src="http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf-JAVA/Doc/images/c01403500.gif" border="0">and enter
in the search field. Select
Recovery Manager from the list when it becomes available. Allow
the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.

Alternately, click
Start , All Programs ,
Recovery Manager , and then Recovery Manager .
Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager
opens.

Click Advanced options , System recovery
, and then click Next . The PC will restart and reopen the
recovery manager.

Alternately, if Advanced options is disabled, click
Next , and then System Recovery . The PC will
restart.

When the PC restarts, select the System recovery option
and click Next .

If prompted to use the Microsoft System Restore
program, click No , and then click Next
.

When prompted, select the Back up your files first
(recommended) option, and then click Next . Follow the
on-screen instructions.

When prompted to Recover without backing up your files ,
please STOP before clicking Next .






WARNING:
This is the final opportunity to change your mind about recovering the PC
and deleting all the files and programs. Once you click Next ,
the restore process cannot be
stopped

If you are satisfied that you want to begin the recover process, click
Next . The PC immediately begins formatting the hard drive and
destroying all data.

Step 1:
Which operating system ?
Restore Hp laptop factory settings without a Restore Disc Turn on the HP laptop. When the blue HP screen appears, press the "F10" key repeatedly until the "Recovery Menu" appears. A progress indicator informs you of the time before the recovery process is to take place. Click "Next" in the Recovery Menu. Decide whether you want to perform a nondestructive or destructive recovery. A "nondestructive recovery" does not format the laptop's hard drive or erase any personal files on your laptop. However, a "destructive recovery" formats your laptop's hard drive and erases any personal files you have on your laptop. Click "Yes" to execute a "Normal, nondestructive recovery." The restore process begins and your laptop restarts. Alternatively, to execute a destructive recovery, click "Advanced." Click "Yes" to start the "Destructive recovery." The restore process begins and your laptop restarts.

Restoring with CDs Back up all crucial user files if you are able to do so. If your computer will not burn CDs, use flash drives of 4GB or higher to store your data. Alternatively, you can use your network to transfer files. You can then back up your data to CDs at your leisure. Detach peripheral devices such as removable media drives, USB drives and your printer before recovering. Also remove any additional hard drives by disconnecting the cable from the back of the computer. Leave your monitor, mouse and keyboard attached to the computer. Shut down your computer. Place the first recovery CD in the CD drive. If your recovery files are written on a partition, you may be able to select system recovery from the splash screen and your computer starts. Select the recovery option you would like to use. To perform a destructive recovery, click the "Advanced" menu option. Select "Destructive Recovery" and click "Next." To perform a non-destructive, or system, recovery, click "Next" from the opening screen. Watch the computer while it is recovering to the factory settings. Watch for any errors, as the computer will wait indefinitely for a response from you, slowing down recovery time. Also, you may need to insert additional recovery CDs as the recovery program requests them. b> Restoring With Recovery Manager Click the Windows "Start" menu, type "Recovery" in the Search field and press "Enter." Click "Advanced Options," choose "System Recovery" and select "Next." If you are prompted to use Microsoft's recovery program, select "No." Choose the option to back up your files, if you haven't done it already. Once that is complete, choose "Next" to begin reformatting the drive and returning the system to factory settings.

The HP Mini laptop comes with either the Windows 7 or Windows Vista operating system.
You can restore the HP Mini to its factory settings using the laptop's recovery partition.
Restoring the HP Mini to its original factory settings will get rid of hard to eliminate viruses on the laptop's hard drive.
A factory restoration is also a good way to get rid of older files still stored on the computer that you no longer need and start with a clean slate.

Windows Vista
Click "Start" in the lower-left corner of your HP Mini Windows Vista home screen, then type "Recovery" into the Search box at the bottom of the Start menu. Click "Recovery Manager" in the list of options that appears above the Search box. The HP Recovery Manager will open. Click "Advanced Options" and then "System Recovery." Click "Next." Your HP Mini will restart. The HP Recovery Manager will open up automatically after the restart is complete. Click "System Recovery," and then click "Next." Click "No" if a message pops up on your screen asking if you want to use Microsoft System Restore. Select "Recover without backing up your files," and then click "Next." The restoration process begins. This could take between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the of your hard drive and how much information you have stored on it. The HP Mini will restart when the laptop has been restored to its original factory settings, and you will be prompted to set up Windows Vista. Windows 7
Click the "Start" icon in the lower-left corner of your HP Mini Windows 7 home screen. Click "All Programs" and then click "Recovery Manager." Click "Recovery Manager" again to open the HP Recovery Manager program. Click "System Recovery" from the list of options beneath the "I need help immediately" section on the left side of the program. The HP Mini will automatically restart and open the HP Recovery Manager. Click "System Restore," and then click "Next." Click "No" if a message pops up on your screen asking if you want to use Microsoft System Restore. Select "Recover without backing up your files," and then click "Next." The restoration process could take between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the of your hard drive and how much information you have stored on it. The HP Mini will restart when the laptop has been restored to its original factory settings, and you will be prompted to set up Windows Vista.

b>

Click Start and enter Recovery in the search field. Select Recovery Manager from the list when it becomes available. Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.Alternately, click Start , All Programs , Recovery Manager , and then Recovery Manager . Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.

Click Advanced options , System recovery , and then click Next . The PC will restart and reopen the recovery manager.Alternately, if Advanced options is disabled, click Next , and then System Recovery . The PC will restart.

When the PC restarts, select the System recovery option and click Next .

If prompted to use the Microsoft System Restore program, click No , and then click Next .

When prompted, select the Back up your files first (recommended) option, and then click Next . Follow the on-screen instructions.

When prompted to Recover without backing up your files , please STOP before clicking Next .WARNING:This is the final opportunity to change your mind about recovering the PC and deleting all the files and programs. Once you click Next , the restore process cannot be stopped

If you are satisfied that you want to begin the recover process, click Next . The PC immediately begins formatting the hard drive and destroying all data.

the battery does not come out easy on mini.
so you cant test it on line power pack only
if had this problem. (i have a mini that i hate, and parked since new)
id pull the battery and test it now.
the HP.com has the full set of manuals,
read that and shows how to remove the battery
old batteries short, and keep the LT dead.

case 2
battery is ok,
so on the same hp page
see how to make your only recovery media, cd /or stick
do so and reload OS

with no restore point set (you failed to do so, say one time every 6months) then they are not there.
so is a waste of time.

use HP offical recover media method stated on YOUR LAPTOP
many PCs are full of virus or a bad HDD.
even the recovery partition cab be bad, so
out comes RECOVERY MEDIA, there is no other way.

unless using a clean MS install l.... and then tons of hp drivers.

Restoring the HP Mini to its original factory settings:

1. Click the "Start" icon in the lower-left corner of your HP Mini Windows 7 home screen. Click "All Programs" and then click "Recovery Manager."
2. Click "Recovery Manager" again to open the HP Recovery Manager program.
3. Click "System Recovery" from the list of options beneath the "I need help immediately" section on the left side of the program. The HP Mini will automatically restart and open the HP Recovery Manager.
4. Click "System Restore," and then click "Next." Click "No" if a message pops up on your screen asking if you want to use Microsoft System Restore.
5. Select "Recover without backing up your files," and then click "Next." The restoration process could take between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the size of your hard drive and how much information you have stored on it. The HP Mini will restart when the laptop has been restored to its original factory settings, and you will be prompted to set up Windows.

What that has told you is that the file pci.sys somehow got corrupted. It's possible it was being written to when the drop occurred. PCI is the bus system usually associated with hard drives and other add on devices so its not one you can ignore.

The problem and the solution are both a bit annoying. That file needs to be replaced. The easiest way would be to boot using a memory stick and then just copy a good file over. Then you have the option of doing a system restore or recovery. Unless you take it into a shop this may be your only option as you need to be able to match the file type/version etc. And it is quite possible that there are other files damaged as well. You just haven't got past the one error. The downside to this is that you may loose some documents and settings depending on how the restore or recovery version you have.

All HP's and Compaqs (as far as I know) come pre-installed with a recovery partition. This replaces the functionality of a recovery CD or DVD, only without the hassle of losing or scratching a recovery CD or DVD. There is one drawback to this method; namely that if the hard drive (or more likely for you) solid state drive gets damaged or erased, you run the risk of also erasing this recovery partition. If this happens, you will need to go to HP's website to order a recovery USB key. Information for ordering a recovery key can be found here. Keep in mind you can only order one recovery key per system, so if you do have to take this route, be sure to create another using the information at the bottom of this post.

Press the Power button to start the PC, and then press the f11 key when the standard BIOS prompts are displayed on the black screen.
NOTE: Pressing the f11 key during startup on a computer with an HP factory image will start the system recovery process even if the prompt is not displayed.

• If the HP Recovery Manager can access the recovery partition on the hard drive, a prompt to backup the user files before beginning the recovery is displayed. Follow any on-screen instructions.
• If the HP Recovery Manager cannot access the hard drive to fix any system errors, you will need to use the personalized recovery disc that you created to recover the hard drive to its original condition.
• If you have not created the personalized recovery disc, or the discs are corrupted, you can order a replacement recovery disc from HP.

If prompted to use the Microsoft System Restore program, click No , and then click Next .

When prompted, if you want to backup your personal files and settings, select the Back up your files first (recommended) option, and then click Next . Follow the on-screen instructions.

When prompted to Recover without backing up your files , please STOP before clicking Next . WARNING: This is the final opportunity to change your mind about recovering the PC and deleting all the files and programs. Once you click Next , the restore process cannot be stopped.

If you are satisfied that you want to begin the recover process, click Next . The PC immediately begins formatting the hard drive and destroying all data.

The recovery process may take up to several hours and will return the PC to its original condition. Any custom settings, drivers, software programs and updates, and/or hardware updates are lost and must be reinstalled.


Once this process is complete, you can create a recovery USB drive using the procedures outlined below:

There are three options for recovering these mini notebook PCs to their original operating system image.

• Option 1 - Use the Recovery Manager program on the recovery partition on PC. For Windows 7, turn on the power switch, press Esc key at boot followed by F11 key for the recovery menu. For XP, press F6 key for Roxio BackOnTrack utility.
• Option 2 - Create a personal set of recovery media. For Windows 7 and XP use the HP Recovery Manager to create a recovery image on either a DVD or an 8 GB USB flash drive). For XP, use Roxio BackOn Track to create a recovery image.
• Option 3 - One-time purchase of the Recovery USB recovery key.

The USB Recovery key can be purchased from the HP web site. The USB key is larger than normal thumb drive. HP can ship only one USB recovery key per unit.

hi if you have access to the operating system then you will need to find the following hidden file to start this restore process,,,,

D:\HP_Recovery\MiniNT\System32\start.exe

double click and it will prompt you with HP warning about altering/deleting files click to accept and finish the process.

Hope this helps Rate Me please MISTERDJ