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How-To Geek Forums / Windows 7

System Restore - Cannot Access

(18 posts)
  • Started 4 months ago by billg47
  • Latest reply from StringJunky
  • Topic Viewed 222 times

billg47
billg47
Posts: 37

My dad recently acquired a second-hand HP laptop. It has a recovery partition; however, when I try to run the system restore (which this computer desperately needs) it says a recent software change maybe preventing access. Any ideas on what steps I might take to get around this or possibly alternative options?

Posted 4 months ago #
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StringJunky
StringJunky
Posts: 2454

Do you mean a factory restore? Tapping F11 at boot has got me into this option on my two HP's.

Posted 4 months ago #
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billg47
billg47
Posts: 37

Yes

Posted 4 months ago #
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billg47
billg47
Posts: 37

I will try f11, but startup says esc. I will get back to you.

Posted 4 months ago #
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StringJunky
StringJunky
Posts: 2454

Have you tried that?

Edit: OK

Posted 4 months ago #
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billg47
billg47
Posts: 37

So I tried f11. It brings me to the same screen. A recent software change may be preventing access.

Posted 4 months ago #
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StringJunky
StringJunky
Posts: 2454

'Do you have access to Windows?

What is the exact model? It will be something like HP Presario CQ56 101SA on the bottom somewhere...the last numbers are important.

Posted 4 months ago #
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billg47
billg47
Posts: 37

I have access to the administrative account on the computer, but if you mean do I have a hard copy of Windows 7, then no I do not

Posted 4 months ago #
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StringJunky
StringJunky
Posts: 2454

What's the model? I'm looking to get you to clean install but need to get drivers. If not available we'll extract them.

Posted 4 months ago #
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billg47
billg47
Posts: 37

HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC
AMD Turion II Dual-Core Mobile M520 2.30Mhz

Posted 4 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

You can download a legal copy of Windows 7 from this site. Make sure you get the copy that matches the product key on the COA sticker on the bottom of the laptop. Burn this .iso to dvd and install with that. Then activate with the key from the COA sticker.

Posted 4 months ago #
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billg47
billg47
Posts: 37

Thank you. I will try it.

Posted 4 months ago #
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StringJunky
StringJunky
Posts: 2454

What's the full model number so you can find your drivers? Put it in here: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/support-drivers.html

If they aren't available extract your drivers from the laptop with this using default settings. Put it on a usb stick so you can run it from there and save the drivers to it as well.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/S.....iver.shtml

Burn the W7 iso with this at 4x: http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download

Posted 4 months ago #
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billg47
billg47
Posts: 37

I am downloading drivers and waiting for the image to burn to the disc right now. I will update when I get to the next step. I really appreciate the help so far.

Posted 4 months ago #
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billg47
billg47
Posts: 37

Okay, so the image is burned to the disc. Now, what do I do?

Posted 4 months ago #
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StringJunky
StringJunky
Posts: 2454

Read this and click on " Using the Custom Installation Option".

http://windows.microsoft.com/e.....-Windows-7

Are their any product keys for MS Office you might need to get on it? Get that first. it will show the Windows P/Key as well and any others you deem important.

I think Belarc Advisor will show it. http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

You could keep the Recovery partition (if it's there) to save an image of your new installation and have it as your personal recovery partition using Macrium. If you want to do that just format C: drive and install Windows to that. You can deal with the other later.

Posted 4 months ago #
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billg47
billg47
Posts: 37

Sorry StringJunky, could you be more specific on how to keep the recovery partition. It is there and I do want to keep it.

Posted 4 months ago #
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StringJunky
StringJunky
Posts: 2454

I'm not at home now but just put the disk in and boot up with it and follow that MS article for a custom installation as I mentioned in the previous post. You should get asked during installation where you want to install and that will be C:. you want to format c: as well. You can always cancel until you get to the actual formatting...have a look and put the disk in.

Posted 4 months ago #
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