I don't understand how that's possible - the ROM is a protected area.

When you reinstalled it, you mean you downloaded a complete ROM image
to the device, with dire warnings about not touching the device and so
on ?

Or did you just copy a backup of your programs and files back to the
device ? The two actions are distinctly different, installing a ROM
image is normally only used to update the OS and installed programs
which come with it.

A hard reset will restore your machine to its original configuration
and installed software *from the ROM* so there will be all the
software which is supplied in ROM in its default state. Unless your
machines ROM is damaged in some way it can't just stop working or have
missing software.

I'd contact HP/Compaq about this, they may have other suggestions.

Cheers - Neil