Boot failure now need to recoversystem

[jcollier14]

My Pavilion 500-297c will not boot.   HD initial tests all pass ok.   I'm running an extensive test.   System reset w/keep files fails.

I'm still assuming a hard drive failure.   I will purchase and install a new HD.  The system originally came with Windows 8, which has since been upgraded to Windows 10.

So, I'll need some sort of bootable recovery disk from HP.  Any idea how I get a CD or bootable USB to recover the system to a bootable state?

Also, since the current Hard drive still seems to be at least partially working, I'm hoping to configure it as a second drive on the system once I get the new HD installed.  What is the best way to try that?

[WAWood]

jcollier14

Hello;

Allow me to welcome you to the HP forums!

HP does not provide bootable rescue disks or USB sticks; instead, you have to use something known as HP Recovery Media to completely restore your PC.

You can order it from this page: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-Pavilion-500-200-Desktop-PC-series/5399647/model/...

It's the last link at the bottom of the list.

To use it as a second drive, simply connect it to a power and SATA data cable in the desktop -- but be sure to configure the PC to boot from the new drive, first.

Also, if you want to use it as a data drive, then you should copy all the files and folders you want to save from it to the new drive, reformat the old drive (removing all the partitions), and create a new large data partition on the old drive.  Then, copy the saved files and folders back to it.

Here's a free partitioning tool you can use for the formatting and partitioning:  http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html

Good Luck

[jcollier14]

I couldn't find a way to order HP recovery media at the link that you posted:

http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-Pavilion-500-200-Desktop-PC-series/5399647/model/...

the last link on that page was "Firmware"  there were 4 options.

Is there any way you could elaborate on how to get the HP revoery media?

-james

[mdklassen · Accepted solution]

> Any idea how I get a CD or bootable USB to recover the system to a bootable state?

Because Windows 10 _was_ installed on your computer, a "fingerprint" of your computer is registered at Microsoft.

This "fingerprint" allows you to download Windows 10, on any computer, and to create a bootable DVD that can be used on your computer, without needing to enter a 25-character license-key.

Reference: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

There is no need to wait for HP to courier-ship anything to you.

Hint: buy a new disk-drive, and install it, removing your current disk-drive.

Install Windows 10 onto the new disk-drive, and then attach the old disk-drive as a "slave",

and copy all your files from it onto the new disk-drive.

[WAWood]

I just tried the link I posted -- and it works FINE!!

Down at the bottom of the page there is a link to order recovery media.

I clicked that, and it opened a screen with an order form.

... So, I have no idea why the link is not working for your -- but it works for me!

[jcollier14]

This worked really well mdklassen!  thanks!   Everything is working now.

[jcollier14]

WAWood,

I think the options vary depending on what OS is detected on the system you are connecting from.  In my case, I was connecting via an old windows7 laptop.  I think that is why I didn't see the option you mentioned.  just a guess...