How to Use My Reinstall Disc for My HP Mini

HP Mini computers don't include built-in optical drives.

Occasionally you may run into a problem with a computer that requires the use of a reinstall disc or boot disc that was provided when you purchased the machine. In the case of HP Mini computers, these discs can't be used directly in the machines, as the computers have no built-in optical drive. Instead, it is necessary to connect an external USB DVD drive to your HP Mini, allowing you to use the reinstall disc.

Things You'll Need

• External USB DVD drive

Instructions

1. Plug the USB cable from the external drive into your HP Mini. Some external drives require a separate power source; plug the external drive into a regular socket if required.

2. Turn on the external DVD drive.

3. Insert the reinstall disc into the external DVD drive. If the computer is on, the disc should play automatically. If the computer is off, turn it on and allow it to boot from the disc. Follow the on-screen prompts for the reinstall disc.

Tips & Warnings

• USB 2.0-compatible drives and ports are preferred for their higher speeds.

• Always back up your data before using a recovery disc. Any recovery process may erase your data.

References

• HP Support: Reinstalling Windows XP on Mini Notebooks