How to Install Recovery Disks

Recovery disks can be CDs or DVDs.

Use recovery disks to restore your operating system, applications, drivers and personal files on your computer after formatting or to correct problems due to viruses. Recovery disks can be created using backup software or are provided to you by your computer manufacturer. Installing recovery disks to your computer varies slightly based upon what you are trying to recover and your computer's maker.

Things You'll Need

• Recovery disks

Instructions

1. Backup any files or applications before using recovery disks. Some recovery disks format your system during the recovery process. If your system does not format your system, a backup is not necessary.

2. Open the recovery or backup software you used to create your recovery disks. If your disks came with your computer, check your computer's manual to see if you must open recovery software in order to use the disks.

3. Choose to recover files from the recovery or backup software. If no software is required, insert the first recovery disk. For instance, if you are trying to restore your entire system, insert the operating system recovery disk. For applications, insert the applications recovery disk.

4. Follow the prompts to recover your desired files. Backup and recovery software will prompt you to entire disks as needed.

5. Restart your system after the recovery disks are installed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are recovering your entire system, the process may take up to two hours. For the easiest recovery, choose the defaults when reinstalling your operating system.

• Every computer manufacturer is different. The exact steps for using recovery software varies, but each software type uses a guided wizard to recover files and applications.

References

• Kioskea: Acer PC Restore to Factory Settings
• Ask Laptop Freak: How to Use Recovery CDs and Load Original Factory Software on my Toshiba Laptop?