Tweaks: Make more then one set of Recovery Discs on HPs

Tweak Name: Reset HP Recovery Disc Creation

File Type: Batch File

Download: HPRecoveryDiscs.bat


As anybody who has ever worked on a plethora of HP computers (and needed to set them up for clients) knows HP only allows for the creation of one set of Recovery Discs per computer. This means that if you’ve lost yours or if they became damaged you’re pretty much screwed.

Well until now.

This tweak has been on the net (whispered) for some time but I give it to you in the form of a handy batch file. What this file will do is delete the following two files:

  • c:\windows\sminst\hpcd.sys
  • d:\hpcd.sys

What that will do is reset the counter that HP computers use to track Recovery Disc creation. You’ll be able to create recovery discs over and over again. Awesome right?

So either just delete those files yourself or download the included batch file (right click> Save As) and get ready to burn!

update (20/05/2009): Some commentors are saying that the tweak no longer works and instead asks for the location of the recovery images. I’m assuming that HP caught onto this little trick and updated their software. I’ll try it myself next time I’m at work and I’ll let you guys know what I find.

129 thoughts on “Tweaks: Make more then one set of Recovery Discs on HPs”

  3. I tried it after using a set of recovery CDs to recreate the recovery partion – and the recovery disc creation program complained that there was no bootable image on drive d:

  4. I’ve updated the post saying that perhaps HP has caught onto this trick and it no longer works. I’m going to check it out myself in a few days and I’ll let you know what I find.

    Lisati: I don’t think you can make recovery discs from an installation restored by recovery discs.

  5. Seems to work for me. It’s an older system (dv2000), so maybe it’s just the newer ones they’ve worked around this on. Came in very handy since my original recovery discs are unreadable for some reason. Using a different brand DVDR this time. Thanks for the tip!

  6. This program worked for the DV9933cl I was able to successfully create and test the dvds

  9. Thanks for the tip. Worked fine on my nw8440 after deleting my ISO files not realizing I couldn’t make more. There is no notice in my software that says you can only make one, unless you happen to browse the help files. Argh! BTW the “c:\windows\sminst\hpcd.sys” file did not exist. I deleted manually the file on D:\ and it worked fine.

  10. Thanks for the tip. Worked fine on my compaq V5245eu. I renamed both files “c:\windows\sminst\hpcd.sys” and “D:\hpcd.sys” and it worked fine.

  14. Hi,
    I have a HP DV2000 notebook. I have recently placed a file in the Empty space of the recovery partition and i forgot to remove from that drive.Then When i tried ot recover it using the F11 functionality it was giving some error. Then i recovered my Notebook from the pair of recovery CD’s. It recovered, but when i went to see if that problem is being caused by that file. It was no where to be seen in that drive. But the size was the same which was there when i have placed my file. I think it is not working because of that file.

    So is there a way i can explore the contents insde the partition. I tried contacting HP but they are saying they dont provide Software support..

    Thanks in advance.
    Apurva

  15. If you can recover using Recovery Disc then I wouldn’t waste my time trying to “explore the recovery partition”.

    You can always use things like a Knoppix disc but I’m sure you have better things to do with your time. ;)

  16. I have windows xp and i have deleted both files of the “c:\windows\sminst\hpcd.sys” and “D:\hpcd.sys” and it don’t work. I tried the Recovery CD/DVD Creator and it says “No valid boot image found in Recovery Partition!”. Can you please help me?

  17. This is most likely caused by a different issue. I have not encountered it myself. Try calling HP and ask them. If you get an answer post back here in order to help other users.

  18. Yea i got an hp given to me from a customer. I went to create the cds and it said it already started and was on disc 2. It has windows vista on it and i dont see the files your talking about. I wanted to have a backup cuz im thing bout putting windows 7 on here… But ill keep searching and yea keep us posted!!!

  20. This worked great for me. The bat file did not, but manually removing the file did the trick. Thank You.

  21. But if you use System Restore you change a bunch of other settings. It’s a messy way to do the same thing that simply deleting a file does.

  22. I just bought a used HP A6813W from someone off Craigslist a little while ago. I wanted to wipe the system and load Windows Home Server on it. The WHS installation wipes the hard drive completely. Since I was not given any recovery discs, I wanted to make a set prior to wiping the drive and, of course, the previous owner already made a set.

    I was able to delete the D:\HPCD.SYS but there was no C:\Windows\SMINST folder. Looking at the shortcut to the Recovery Disc Creator, I found that it is located in C:\Program Files (x86)\SMINST. I was not able to remove the system and hidden attributes; I figured something was still open and using the file so I just restarted in Safe Mode. After removing the attributes and renaming both HPCD.sys files, my set of discs is currently burning (and while still in Safe Mode).

    For those who don’t know how to remove the files, here’s how. Press Enter after each line and remember that I have to go in to Safe Mode when I did it (pressing F8 when starting computer).
    =============
    click Start then Run and type CMD
    cd\
    cd prog (hit TAB and cycle through until Program Files (x86) is shown; just in case it is either Progra~1, ~2, etc.)
    attrib -s -h hpcd.sys
    ren hpcd.sys _hpcd.sys
    D:
    attrib -s -h hpcd.sys
    ren hpcd.sys _hpcd.sys
    exit
    =========
    Now, go burn your discs.

    Derek

  23. great, this worked for me, but after i run the batch file as an administrator Mode > Right click on the file and Click on Run as an Administrator, after thar i could Recreate My Backup Disk
    Thanks

  24. nice tutorial on some computers its on the

    * c:\Program Files (x86)\SMINST\HPCD.sys
    * d:\HPCD.sys

  25. Zaxs Says:
    February 20th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
    great, this worked for me, but after i run the batch file as an administrator Mode > Right click on the file and Click on Run as an Administrator, after thar i could Recreate My Backup Disk
    Thanks

    that worked for me…………….thanks zaxs

  27. i don’t have an sminst folder. not even when i change he settings to show hidden files. i ran a search for the hpcd.sys file and it doesn’t seem to exist anywhere on the C: drive. setting up a friend’s pc and the machine shut down during the creation, so i presume the restore disks are mucked up.

    this is such a ridiculous rule. if each restore set is unique to that computer why does HP need to make it more difficult for legit users to use legit methods to restore? i’ve had to restore win7 from bootlegs b/c HP (and windows) made it so unbearably difficult for me to dualboot.

  28. quick update… i found the offending files

    c:\ProgramData\Hewlett-Packard\recovery\hpdrcu.prc
    and d:\hpdrcu.prc (recovery root)

  30. top stuff this worked for me
    the backup discs i had were lost (probably with all the sox)
    so thank you

  32. Fine for me. I delete the two files manualy and work very well. Thanks
    My computer is a HP Pavillion TX2000 buyed last 2009

    Thanks

  33. deleting these files still works 5/13/2010 hp pavilion tx2000 tablet
    thanks a bunch

  34. I have a brand new HP G71 and when I burned my recovery disc set, the 2nd DVD had a phyical fault that I caught after it completed. So, HP has changed to a new recovery set creation tool. For Windows 7, you have to go into c:\ProgramData\Hewlett-Packard\Recovery and delete the file named hpdrcu.prc and then on d:\ delete the same named file. You can recreate your set for Windows7 on the newer notebooks. Took me all of 20 minutes to figure out.

  36. I managed to delete both HPCD files in the D and C drives, but now when i click pc recovery disc creator and click next, i get a blank box with cannot create discs and i have to click ok. Am I doing something wrong? Before when i did not delete the HPCD files, it was not a blank box but said only one set of discs per machine.

  37. From Kathy the following quote.

    ” quick update… i found the offending files

    c:\ProgramData\Hewlett-Packard\recovery\hpdrcu.prc
    and d:\hpdrcu.prc (recovery root) “.

    Just repeating this because I’m using a HP Desktop computer, not a laptop.
    I found mine at that same location but only TWO files total with that extension.
    I have a NEW 20” touch screen All-in-One HP computer with Windows 7 Home.
    Hate the SEARCH in Win. 7.
    Make sure you use the options to have Hidden files SHOW and System files unhidden in the options for Search.

  38. A year later and this is still useful. Am flattening and restoring an HP laptop with Vista for a friend. She thinks she remembers having disks but can’t find them now. Although I’ve got a genuine copy of Vista it’s off my own pc and the product key on the back of the laptop is almost unreadable. As expected the recovery program said a recovery set had already been created. Went through this procedure and all good…. Thanks again… Headache avoided ;-)

  40. thanks, im burning a replacment disk now. First set kept giving error 1002, no idea what it means, do you? HP DV6 1222AX

  41. Hi – Thanks, worked a treat on my Compaq Presario C300 (C350EA on serial number on bottom)
    I just renamed the files just in case

    THANKS!!!!

    Dan

  42. Works on my Pavillion DV5 bought in 2009. Windows Vista
    Delete or rename:
    C:/Programfiles (x86)/sminst/HPCD.sys
    and
    D:/HPCD.sys
    This is where I found the files.
    Thanks for the help….HP didn’t.

  43. Thanks a lot, it worked on my dc7800 desktop.
    I just did a search, found the file only on c:\windows\sminst, renamed it and the recovery worked like a charm!!
    To find the file, go to Advanced Search and make sure Find non-indexed, system and hidden files is checked.

  44. Pingback: Create multiple HP recovery disc sets | Aric.info

  46. I have tried searching for those files, and even looked following the location you gave in the beginning. It seems I do not have the file hpcd.sys or hpcd.bak on my HP Pavilion dv5120us. It was recently restored to see if that would solve my issues, but it turns out I have a bad hard drive. I also cannot create a second set, though no one in the family is aware of a first set being created or where they are located. Any suggestions?

  47. I Have a hp Palvilion Dv7 3112sa 2010. will this work on my laptop?? i have windows ultimate and my orginal sate was home premium. my brother hes only 4 used them as frisbys as he was rumiging through my room. and completly trashed them :( will it work??

  48. The only way to tell is to try.

    However an easier way to reformat (if this is what you want to do) would be to simply use the recovery program that’s loaded onto your laptop.

  50. Finally got it to work.. Kudos to the “download freecommander and search for hpcd and delete all” posts..
    Worked on my dv8/win7.. Thankfully!!!!

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