How to Reset HP Pavilion Recovery CD One Limit Restriction
/* Posted August 12th, 2008 at 8:30am *//* Filed under How-To */
/* */
Many HP desktops nowadays don’t ship with any restore CDs any longer. Instead, they use a hidden disk partition at your own hard disk’s memory cost to hold the recovery data at several gigs worth too. Users are allowed to make a CD or DVD recovery disc but that is a one-time operation due to licensing agreements with Microsoft without any way to reset the restriction. While I don’t recommend you to burn 13 CD-Rs to make your recovery disc, 2-3 DVD-Rs is a welcome security in case any misfortune should befall upon your computer. Plus once you do so you can repartition and free up the recovery partition to recover some memory back (at your own risk of course). But what happens when you encounter an error during the burn process? Or you lose your recovery CDs? Or the HP recovery disc maker software gets corrupted somehow?
If this should ever happen to you, you’re in luck because there is a solution to reset the one limit restriction:
- Download the recovery reset patch.
- Extract the contents and run extracted file “ResetRmc.exe”. NOTE: This is a very small file that executes very quickly so you may not even detect that it did anything
- Now try to run the Recovery CD/DVD Disc Maker again, the one limit restriction will be reset and you will be able to make a recovery disk again
If the computer was restored at any point using a burned recovery CD this patch will not work. In that instance, the only backup media available for the customer is the D: recovery partition. Attempting to run the ResetRmc.exe patch in this instance causes the “Incorrect Password Specified” error message to appear.
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what is the password for file ?
Sorry for the omission. Changed the zip package and instructions so no password is needed. Download the new file and try again.
Thank You Very Very much!!!!!!!!!
It cant work in my HP pavilion dv5 series laptop =( why? becauseof VISTA? any other patch available?
I set it so there wasn’t a quest on my computer because my mom likes to go look at horoscopes and get viruses on her computer I didn’t want her doing it in my guest account so I’m left with my own account I can’t log into. The problem started with my iTunes library where this specific password stopped working then many files of an online video game and now my account. Is there a password changing virus? I played with my computers files and stuff to try and set up a iPhone app remote. I changed my Network name and stuff but I don’t think that would do this. Anyone know what could cause this. It was a very easy to remember password for me and I’m 100% sure I’m not typing it wrong.
Can I download this from my moms computer and run it threw a flash drive?
Is this patch is only for the pavilion or also works for a laptop 6019p?
Thanks
Can’t say for sure if it works on laptops but if you’re really in need of it, it can’t hurt to give it a try.
Thanks very much!
How i can find Vista version?
Not work for windows vista.
Works great!
I used with HP Pavilion dv5000
Thanks a lot!
If I installed a new Vista OS, how do I install my hp software that came with the laptop?
I had this problem on my HP Pavilion after I put it in for repair and the shop stole the DVD’s from the funny container thingy built into the case This solution worked for me:
Find the two copies of the file HPCD.sys, one is in your recovery disk root folder, the other is in …Windows\SMINST. Rename the files HPCD.bak
Run the recovery manager and it should now work OK.
I take no responsibility if anything goes wrong tho’ LOL.
Worked great on a Pavilion t430.uk, I’m guessing its just a registry key the program changes?
wow rename the files hpcd.sys in both the places it worked for me as well.
Thanks it was perfect working on Vista.
Renaming HCPD.sys worked @ HP Pavilion Artist Edition. Tnx very much.
It worked fine for HP pavilion laptop dv9750.
it doesnt work on hp pavillion dv6000. can u please share the source code instead or the registry key to change. btw, my dads hp pavillion is windows vista home premium. thanks.
I had the same problem with a tablet tx1000, I solved it with a Windows Vista PE (preinstalled enviroment) and edit the rename it the file, because some how the newer versions of this recovery hide these files!!!!!
On my HP Pavilion DV7-1245DX I found the HPCD.sys on the C drive in C:\program files (x86)\SMINST … renaming that file worked for me.
This is probably going to sound well, retarded, how do I get to the recovery disk folder to change that file? Windows Vista does not boot.
thanks
works great, thank you!
Renaming of HPCD.sys works on my tx2000 Tablet-pc (windows vista) Thanks!
There is no HPCD.sys on my computer!!
My computer’s hard crashed a while back, and the company (Futureshop) installed the recovery disk taken from another factory to install the OS on the new hard drive!
My computer is Pavilion a6650f!
Help please!
Thanks!
Easier way to enable creating another copy of the restore cd-s.
In windows explorer click on the restore drive – view details (make sure in folder options in the “view” tab that hide extension is NOT checked and “display system folders” IS checked. Change the file HPCD.sys to HPCD.bak.
Go to WINDOWS folder – sub folder SMINST – do the same to the HPCD.sys file there and voila, you can create another set of restore cd-s. Do this as often as you like.
Bob
Thanks Bob!
I tried everything else on a dv9740us Vista and your solution was the only one that worked!
Ooooops. looks like someone already mentioned this – sorry.
Bob
Grazie mille, funziona perfettamente nel Compaq NX9420
Thanks a lot, It worked fine for Compaq NX9420.
Changed the name as above worked great on Compaq SR2001NX. My 1st copy was on 14 CD’s as I did not have a DVD burner. Now only have 2 DVD’s THANKS!
The patch worked for my HP DV5215 notebook. THANKS…
thanx when changing the twa hpcd.sys to hpcd.bak it worked so fine!! thumbs up!! HP Pavilion dv5-1153i
not working on dv5 1125em,,, any suggestion
hp sent me 2 recovery disks for vista it restored my computer once but i have to do it again but after its done with disk 2 and tries to load windows for the first time it gets so far and than the computer shuts down ive tried this 5 times already and no luck… anyone can help?
This utility also worked on my HP Compaq nx9420 laptop! Thank you soooo much for this utility. Saved my butt.
Hey… just wondering if anyone knows whether a recovery set of disks created on one particular nx9420 will work on another nx9420. I have a couple at the office, but one is trashed and no recovery disks were created for it. I have another one I could use to create a set, but I wasn’t sure if it was “smart” enough to tell it was created on a different laptop (perhaps via some internal ID number or something). I’m going to try it… just wondered if anyone knew that it wouldn’t work and hence save me some trouble.
Thanks!
hey guys thanks for the file….
can any1 of u have the recovery soft installer used by HP….
my DVDs got corrupted and before that i removed the recovery partition so now i have nothing in my hands….
NOTE: If you cant find (or see) the hpcd.sys file, its because you didnt follow the instructions to turn on “view system folders” in the folder options of Explorer. Folder options is under the View menu in windows explorer:
Easier way to enable creating another copy of the restore cd-s.
In windows explorer click on the restore drive – view details (make sure in folder options in the “view” tab that hide extension is NOT checked and “display system folders” IS checked. Change the file HPCD.sys to HPCD.bak.
Go to WINDOWS folder – sub folder SMINST – do the same to the HPCD.sys file there and voila, you can create another set of restore cd-s. Do this as often as you like.
worked perfectly first time on Compaq Presario V6000. Thank you very much!
Actually, the newer models of hp do not all have the hpcd.sys. For the passed 2 and a half years I’ve been using the renaming or deleting of hpcd.sys file method which worked like a charm but recently HP has changed the way to restrict the creation of recovery discs. A few dv models do not contain hpcd.sys and all the X series do not contain the hpcd.sys. I’m a technician at a retail store that sells hp laptops and desktops and we are currently trying to find out what the new file and where the new file is to be able to resolve this issue. Will post the fix once figured out.
its works fine on my hp dv4 1131tx
FYI for those having trouble finding the HPCD.sys file. On my laptop, it’s located in C:\\Program Files\SMINST\HPCD.sys
I can’t begin to thank you enough!
I lost my restore CD and you never know when you might need it!
Worked for my Packard Bell a treat.
download winrar and use it to browse the contents of your hard drive. 2 files need to be deleted: d:\hpcd.sys & either 1)c:\Windows\SMINST\hpcd.sys, 2)c:\Program Files\SMINST\hpcd.sys, or c:\Program Files(x86)\SMINST\hpcd.sys
Nice… Using Winrar works.. I just tried on my HP Pavilion dv5 …
I have a feeling that this is illegal!!!
This might be going against the EULA you agreed on!!!!
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Thanks so much for this, new notebook was demoed by the shop and I couldn’t make the restore discs – this fixed that.
Thanks! Just what I needed.
Worked grest on my HP / Compaq nc6400.
wooww.. this thg really works!!! thanks alot!!!
got stuck with bad recovery disks on a new dv 7 1245dx but can’t create new ones even with this fix. any ideas?
I’m loving it.. It worked for my dv-7x. I renamed the two files, one in recovery drive d:\hpcd.sys and other in c:\Program Files(x86)\SMINST\hpcd.sys
well i have hp pavilion m7480n didn’t have the recovey disc bought one set of recovery disc from HP well i only load one disc and can’t load the other or if it read the disc at all. why would that happen.
Hello,
I am having a problem in starting my HP Pavilion LapTop, Earlier i had a spyware for which I did the F8 / F10 option and I did installed a fresh copy of the XP from the partioned , after that it was working fine for couple of months, I had tried creating the DIsc after recovering but most of the DVD failed and it never got completed.
Since my Laptop was running slow I tried to do a disk defragmention and it was slow so I did rebooted the system …. and that was the last time when I have seen my comp running .. I tried running in Safe mode, dos mode and the last known configuration … without any luck, so can you please please update me how to recover it thanks a ton in advance.
-Ameya
Thank you SO much who ever wrote this!!!
Renaming de hpcd.sys on the following places will do the trick
Recovery Partition
Program Files/Sminst
The windows folder is no longer storing the hpcd.sys
Hope this helps.
Worked like a charm on my Pavilion a650y. Saved me $$. Thanks!
-Mike
How about on a E-machine , have bad dvd disc and need replacement xp system
no hpcd.sys??
A word of caution: if planning to install win 7 (64-bit Enterprise)have either a – verified – system disk(s) or a (in my case) Vista Home pre 64-bit. Win 7 Enterprise creates a new – 100mb – partition. The partition contains Bitlocker AND the new mbr. You will not get/”see” any errors if you want to perform a reinstall using the system restore disks and/or using a “other” windows dvd disk – the only thing you get is “a big fat Blue screen”. What you must do is to run a System repair using the Win 7 disk, remove the 100 Mb partition continue installing (again) win 7 when getting the option of formatting the disk then DO NOT format your disks! If you do, then the partition is recreated and you have to go through all the steps once more. Just press next and let the win 7 installation run. when the win 7 installation completes, reboot the pc – press F11 and voila; you are able to reset your pc to the state it was before.
I found the above information on a non-microsoft Win 7 web site….after trying to reinstall my new laptop for 5 days (my last 5 vacation days, wife was not impressed..).
Thx, just got off a chat with HP and they told me I would have to purchase new ones for $20 (mine are in storage and I cannot access them right now). Following “Bob
/* February 24, 2009 at 9:11 am */” instructions worked perfect for a dv9925nr running Vista 64 Home Premium. Thx man.
Hey,
this is not working for HP HDX 16t 64bit vista, i have downloaded the patch extracted it dbl click the patch i see nothing, after that i have tried the Recovery manager still i got the same problem.
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thank you so so much you are a hp life saver