Your PC came with programs and files installed on the hard drive. In some cases, the original programs and files on the hard drive can become corrupted. If this happens, you will need to reinstall them. For recovery, the pre-installed programs and files are included either in a separate partition of the PC hard drive (Product Recovery program) or on the Product Recovery CD(s) for your system. In some cases you might have both.

You may also install programs and create your own files. When you install programs, the installation process can change certain configuration files that the operating system uses. You should make regular backup copies of these configuration files and any files you created.

When you make backup copies of the operating system configuration files, you should copy the original directory structure. When you reinstall the files, you must put them into the original directory structure. If you do not, the computer may not work properly.

There are different methods of performing recovery of the factory installed system and program files, depending on your PC model. Each method is described here along with information to help you determine which method to use for your PC.

Prior to performing a software recovery, we recommend returning your system to it's original factory configuration by removing all hardware that has been added to your system.

In case of a hard disk failure or if the Product Recovery program is accidentally deleted from the hard drive or becomes damaged, you can recover using the Product Recovery CD(s), provided with some models or can be ordered on an emergency basis.

If you need to recover the factory installed system and program files, read the following information carefully.

Notes:

• Some models ship with the ConfigSafe program, which runs in the background. ConfigSafe automatically takes a snapshot of your configuration files. Before doing a full recovery, you might want to start ConfigSafe and restore system files to see if an earlier snapshot might fix your problem.
• Models that ship with Microsoft Windows XP include a tool called System Restore. System Restore automatically takes a snapshot of your configuration files. Before doing a full recovery, you might want to start System Restore and restore system files to see if an earlier snapshot might fix your problem.

Some models have a separate partition on the hard drive. This partition contains the factory installed system and program files (Product Recovery program). The Product Recovery program runs independently of the operating system.

To determine if your PC has the Product Recovery program on the hard drive, do the following:

1. Make backup copies of configuration files and any files you created. Then remove any diskettes, CDs, or DVDs in the drives.
2. Shut down and turn off your computer.
3. Wait 15 seconds.
4. Turn on your monitor and computer and carefully observe the display.
   1. Look for the logo screen. At any time, while the logo screen is onscreen, press F11. Go to "Using the Product Recovery program on the hard drive".
   2. On NetVista systems, look for the following prompt: "To start the Product Recovery program, press F11"
      
      When the F11 prompt appears, press the F11 key immediately. Your PC has the Product Recovery program on the hard drive. Go to "Using the Product Recovery program on the hard drive".
      
      If the F11 prompt does not appear, one of two situations exist:
      • Your PC does not have the Product Recovery program on the hard drive. In this instance, you must use the Product Recovery CD(s) to recover your software. Go to "Using the Product Recovery program on the Product Recovery CD(s)".
      • The file that controls the F11 prompt that provides access to the Product Recovery program has become damaged. To recover the F11 prompt, go to "Creating and using the Recovery Repair diskette".

Note: All personal data in the computer will be lost during the recovery procedure.

Follow these steps:

1. Pressing F11 will start the Product Recovery program. When you see the Product Recovery Program Main Menu, select Full Recovery or Factory Contents and follow the instructions on the screen.
2. After the software has been reinstalled, copy your personal configuration and data files back into their original directories on the hard drive. Obtain more detailed instructions.

Make sure that the Setup Utility is set up to use the CD or DVD drive before the hard disk. You can view or change the startup sequence by choosing "Start Options" from the main Configuration/Setup Utility.

If you need to obtain a Product Recovery CD for your system, please contact the Support Center. Please note that there may be a fee involved.

Note: All personal data in the computer will be lost during the recovery procedure.

Follow these steps:

1. Make backup copies of configuration files and any files you created.
2. Insert Product Recovery CD 1 into the CD or DVD drive.
3. Shut down and turn off your computer.
4. Wait 15 seconds.
5. Turn on your monitor and computer.
6. When you see the Product Recovery Program Main Menu, select Full Recovery or Factory Contents and follow the instructions on the screen.
7. Remove any CDs before you restart your computer at the end of the recovery.
8. After the software has been reinstalled, copy your personal configuration and data files back into their original directories on the hard drive.

Note: Device drivers for factory-installed devices are located on the primary partition of your hard drive (usually drive C) in the IBMTOOLS\DRIVERS folder.

To reinstall a device driver for an option you installed, refer to the documentation that comes with the option.

When you reinstall device drivers, you are changing the current configuration of your computer. Only reinstall device drivers if you know that it is necessary to do this in order to correct a problem on your computer.

To reinstall a device driver for a factory-installed device, do the following:

1. Start your computer and operating system.
2. Use Windows Explorer to display the directory structure of your hard disk.
3. Open the IBMTOOLS folder.
4. Open the DRIVERS folder. within the DRIVERS folder are several subfolders named for various devices installed in your computer (for example, AUDIO, VIDEO, and so on).
5. Open the appropriate subfolder.
6. Use one of the following methods to reinstall the device driver:
   • In the device subfolder, look for a README.TXT file or other file with the .TXT extension. This file might be named after the operating system, such as WIN98.TXT. The text file contains information on how to reinstall the device driver.
     -or-
   • If the device subfolder contains a file with an .INF extension, you can use the Add New Hardware program (located in the Windows Control Panel) to reinstall the device driver. Not all device drivers can be reinstalled using this program. In the Add New Hardware program, when prompted for the device driver you want to install, click Have Disk and Browse. Then select the appropriate device driver file from the device subfolder.
     -or-
   • In the device subfolder, look for a SETUP.EXE file. Double-click SETUP.EXE and follow the instructions on the screen.

The Product Recovery program on the hard disk is accessed by pressing F11 when the "press F11" prompt is displayed during startup.

If the F11 prompt does not appear when the computer is started, the file that controls the prompt has become damaged or accidently erased. The Recovery Repair diskette is used to recover the F11 prompt that provides access to the Product Recovery program.

If you already have a Recovery Repair diskette, go to "Using the Recovery Repair diskette".

1. Start your computer and operating system.
2. Use Windows Explorer or My Computer to display the directory structure of your hard drive.
3. Open the C:\IBMTOOLS folder.
4. Double-click RRDISK.BAT and follow the instructions on the screen.

1. Shut down the operating system and turn off the computer.
2. Insert the Recovery Repair diskette into diskette drive A.
3. Turn on the computer and follow the instructions on the screen.
   Note: If the repair operation finishes without error, the F11 prompt will appear the next time you restart your computer.

If an error message appears during the repair operation and the repair operation cannot be completed, you might have a problem with the Product Recovery program or the partition that contains the Product Recovery program. Use a Product Recovery CD to run the Product Recovery program. If a Product Recovery CD was not provided with your computer, contact the Support Center to order a Product Recovery CD for your computer.