5170 Recovery Tips for Scrambled Registry?

[Carl1954]

Hi everybody,

I have an HP Pavillion ze5170 with XP Home whose registry appears to be getting scrambled. Some programs no longer install and others have become unusable. Previously, I was able to get things working by restoring to an earlier point and running Registry Mechanic, but that no longer helps so I want to start from scratch.

I have the 6 System Recovery CDs, but the manual and anything else that came with the computer are nowhere to be found and may have been lost in a move.

I’ll be backing up the unsaved work from the laptop this evening.

Some questions are:

Do I need anything other than the 6 System Recovery CDs to restore my 5170 and its registry to the state it was in when I bought it?

Are the CDs self explanatory so I can get by without a manual?

Does anyone who has done this before have any tips that might help save my sanity when I do this?

Thanks in advance,
--Carl

[Carl1954]

For anyone who might have the same questions I did here, this was no big deal.
Not having done this before, I was worried that the process might break down half way through the machine’s lobotomy.
The recovery CDs ran without a hitch and the machine now has a new lease on life.

--Carl