Revover Deleted 'Recovery Folder/File' from D Drive - HP's dv5-1235dx

[dsz21]

Dear Volunteers, Pls help !!!
I have HP's dv5 laptop (Windows Vista 64 bit) and I accidently deleted the "Recovery Folder/File" from D and also from the Recycle bin to gain more storage space. The disk space still shows high, even after deletion. I had made recovery disks when I first started using this new laptop. I learnt lately (after deletion) that the ‘Recovery File/Folder’ should not be deleted from D drive. As such my machine is perfectly all right. My concern is now that should I use the Recovery Discs to restore the system? If I do that, will it take the system to Factory settings? What if I don’t restore the deleted file? The Drive D is visible when I open the drives from “Computer” but I don’t see the D Drive from “HP Care”. I have few other files stored in D Drive but the disk free space is still very low. I could see once more file Program (x86) in Drive D. Also when I tried to perform Disk Clean-up for the D Drive, it was unsuccessful, notifying that the drive is in operation. After deletion of the "Recovery Folder/File", I have made several updates from Windows & HP updates. What shall I do now – Pls advise. Many Thanks !!!

[arraknid]

It sounds as though it's still there, as the amount of free space is so low. With all HP/Compaq machins, they have a small utility that runs in the background called Recovery Guard which prevents the user from deleting the recovery partition content. If you have that running, it's near impossible to delete the data from within Vista.

Try running msconfig and checking that recguard appears in the startup list. If it does, you are probably safe.

As you took the time to create the recovery disks, you should be OK. When you start a system recovery by pressing F11 at startup, if the partition data isn't present, you'll be prompted to insert the disks instead.

[dsz21]

Dear Mr. Arraknid, Many thanks for your quick reply. I will try your suggestion and post the outcome ASAP.

[dsz21]

I Tryed running msconfig and the recguard doesnot appears in the startup list. I didn't try the F11 option..... What will happen if I go for F11 during start-up? Will the machine go to factory setting? - Kindly confirm.

[arraknid]

What will happen if I go for F11 during start-up? Will the machine go to factory setting?

No, you should see a menu that will offer that option as well as others.

As far as RecGuard is concerned, if it is on your computer, it'll be here...

c:\windows\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE

If it isn't on the startup list, you may not have it installed.