Availability of HP Backup Disks?

[DaveM]

An online seller is currently offering HP a1250n computers (a model which has practically everything I want in a new machine) at better than a third below retail price. They are "factory reconditioned" units--essentially new in the box and with warranty, pre-loaded with software. However, according to the seller, they do not come with the all-important "recovery disks", though the seller claims they come with instructions on how to make one's own.

The only applications I am concerned about are Windows XP and Microsoft Works--the rest of the included "crap" I can take or leave. But I am reluctant to buy a machine which lacks these two, as purchasing new replacements would undoubtedly run $200 or so.

Is it possible that one truly can make one's own recovery disks in XP using the software installed on the computer? Or might it be possible to purchase a replacement set of recovery disks from HP (I have been unable to find out from HP)? Anyone have any idea? Regardless of the price, a machine that one crash could leave without even an operating system is hardly a bargain.

[DaveM]

This is very strange--Hewlett-Packard sells a lot of refurbished computers through its web site, and NONE of them come with backup disks. Is this a new trend I didn't know about? Please, if anyone can explain, I'm curious.

[RedjackRyan]

I think i read somewhere that it is possible to create restore disks from the HP service partition.. let me do some checking around.

[AceOn6]

This is very strange--Hewlett-Packard sells a lot of refurbished computers through its web site, and NONE of them come with backup disks. Is this a new trend I didn't know about? Please, if anyone can explain, I'm curious.

Probably just some weird restriction in Microsoft's master license. HP phone sales is pretty good. I'd recommending calling to see if there's any way you could get the disks. They may be able to help you and, if not, may be able to explain the policy.

[RedjackRyan]

Dave,

Heres the link to the information i read http://www.pctechbytes.com/hp-recovery-cd.htm

Additional info http://www.pctechbytes.com/hprecovery.htm

The article states that its a one time only function, and is dependent on having certain HP software already on the machine. Not sure if a Refurb would have the software or not.

[DaveM]

Thanks, Cap'n--knew I could count on ye.

[John L]

If the box has a COA on it (THe "Microsoft" sticker with the 25 letter code) then you can install from any media of the same version (home or pro). The license is the tricky bit, and if it is has the COA sticker, the OS license ties to the box. XP media is fairly easy to come by normally...

If it DOESN't Have a COA on it, no matter whether the software is pre-installed or not, I would stay away.

I wouldn't personally sweat Microsoft Works, because, from what I have seen, it doesn't. A pretty good, MS compatible office suite can be had at http://www.openoffice.org/ . It's a pretty robust offering and won't tie you into wierd file formats the way Works will.

I think most all of the manufacturers went to this Media Reduction thing on thier inexpensive systems about a year or so back...D*ll was one of the last to go over to it, and they'll still send you a CD if needed for troubleshooting (generally...)

[DaveM]

Thanks John--really appreciate the info on the "Works" substitute. I've come to tolerate it, but hate the weird file format and having to convert every time I want to submit anything electronically.

I was outbid on the computer, alas, but am continuing my search. Really have pretty much settled on this machine--it has plenty of memory, a big HD, and TWO DVD drives, one of them a dual-layer Lightscribe DVD-RW. It also does NOT have some things I don't want, such as a TV board or a remote control. And the price seems definitely right.

Will have to be sure of things like the COA if I spot another one online--this particular seller claimed to be an HP authorized reseller, but of course, who knows....?

[paularoid]

I don't know whether you can use this or not.

http://www.help2go.com/Tutorials/Windows/Create_a_Windows_Boot_CD_%10_Rescue_CD.html

[DaveM]

Thanks Paul--I found an even lower price on the same machine this afternoon, so....Hal II will be joining my household sometime next week I expect. Farewell to floppy disks and insufficient memory errors! Hello new operating system that I don't know the first thing about! I'm not sure whether to rejoice or be terrified.