Hello and I hope this information helps. Best suggestion I have is to create the recovery discs and perform the system recovery setting it back to factory new condition, ((( BUT BE SURE TO CHOSE THE ONE THAT DOES NOT DESTROY YOUR PERSONAL DATA ))) or else it will make it like it was when you first got it and pictures and any data you added to it since it was purchased would be gone.
Page 114 at this PDF shows step by step on how to create them and then use them. Sorry for your health problems and I hope this information helps. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well. You will need some blank DVDs to burn to or a thumb drive or two that are at least 8GB in size if that option is available. I always go the route of burning Discs myself, although I have had some computers like my Toshiba Netbook that doesnt have an optical drive require the creation of them onto two USB flash drive sticks.
Just Noticed Reading further the optical drive was an option for this... if you dont have one you will need to borrow a external DVD Drive or buy one. A USB external drive is around $20 or less. Here is one similar to what I use on netbooks and systems without a DVD Burner. Installation is as easy as plugging in USB cable to drive and then to computer and then following instructions from HP. Drivers will be automatically installed so its plug and play.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136261&cm_re=external_dvd_drive-_-27-136-261-_-ProductThe manual states:
NOTE:
Use an optional external optical drive (purchased separately) to create recovery discs, or purchase recovery discs for the computer from the HP Web site.
http://www.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02623152.pdf