How to Retrieve Lost Information Following an HP PC System Recovery

Each time you purchase a new Hewlett Packard (HP) computer, you are asked to create a user account name. If you have to perform a system recovery on your personal computer (PC), the nondestructive recovery will store all files you created in the account. After you access your account by logging into your personal computer with your user name and password, you can retrieve lost files easily.

Step 1 Use the Search feature to search your hard drive. Type the user name and password you created when you first purchased your computer into the dialogue box that pops up after you restart your HP PC.

Step 2 Click "Start." In the "Start Search" field at the bottom of the screen, type the name of the document you want to retrieve. Review the documents that pop up in the search box that have your search words in the title.

Step 3 Broaden the words you type into the search box until you locate the documents you are searching for. For example, if you are looking for a file that you created and labeled "Summer Silver Fish Hooks Used in Maryland" but you cannot recall the exact file name, you could type "Fish, Hook, Summer" in the search box.

Step 4 Check recent items. Click "Start." On the right side of the screen select "Recent Items." Search through the list of the last items that you worked on.

Step 5 Double-click on the file name you want to retrieve to restore the document. Save the file using an easy-to-remember name in a folder on your HP PC. Back up all files regularly on a removable disk, which you can purchase from a computer store or office superstore for about $24 for 4 GB of space.

Step 6 Search in Safe mode. Change folder security privileges if you have multiple accounts on your HP computer and are unable to access files located on one of the accounts. To do this click "Start," then "Restart." When the blue HP screen appears, tap the F8 key several times. The "Advanced Options Menu" will appear.

Step 7 Scroll over to "Safe Mode" and press "Enter." A new screen will appear. Click "Yes" when the computer asks if you want to start the HP PC in Safe mode.

Step 8 Click "Start," then "My Computer". Double-click on "Documents and Settings." Right-click on the name of the folder that contains the documents you want to retrieve. Click "Properties," then "Security."

Step 9 Select "Advanced," then "Owner." Check the box titled "Replace Owner on Subcontainers and Objects" to retrieve the documents in the folder.