Cannot recover Win 7 after clean install Win 10 (Recov corrupted)

[Pisicato]

I received a Compaq Mini CQ10-500 and want it to use for playing music only. It came with Windows 7 Starter and by mistake I did a clean installation of Windows 10 (32bit). That did not work fine. So I wanted to go back to the factory-installation but Win 10 corrupted my recoverypartition. The recov.manager does not recognize this partition anymore. Getting an Iso-file from Microsoft does not work because of the wrong HP-code. I see windows.old on the c:\ drive but Win 10 does not offer a solution for a backdrawal, probably by using the clean install instead of upgrading.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

This site claims to have genuine, unadulterated W7 ISO files for download...

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool

Click on the link labeled Windows ISO Downloader.exe

You can use either the:

 Win 7 Starter SP1 or the (Retail version, but the  OEM key on your PC's case will work with it)

 Win 7 Starter SP1 COEM (This version would be for what HP would have used--System Builder)

N is for European Union (EU) countries.

K is for South Korean markets.

Then you can use this tool to transfer the file to a 4 GB USB flash drive or a DVD.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

[Pisicato]

Thanks for the links. I could make a flashdisk with Win 7 starter. But my code at the bottom was not validated by Windows.

So next question: I still got base.wim on D:\recovery. Is there an idiot-proof  way to use it for reinstalling? Is there a trick that tells recoverymgr.exe where to find this image?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

What country do you live in, and what version of W7 Starter did you try to install?

The product key should have worked with the right langage version and N or non N version, unless it was used on another PC.

You need to make sure you get the right version of Windows based on country location.

Unfortunately, I would have no idea how you can get the recovery partition to work.

[Pisicato]

Maybe that's the clou: I got Windows 7 starter SNPC OA Dutch version.

The images on the website give me only the chance to download an english iso.

So I have to try to use a tool from the same site to make my windows-iso international.

I live in the Netherlands.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, you're right.

I didn't know that, because on the other editions, you can get any language.

You can try the English COEM Starter N version since the Netherlands is part of the EU, but if that doesn't work, unfortunately, the only other thing you could do would be to see if the HP e-Partner sells recovery disks for your model.

http://www.best2serve.com/page/rcd_landing

[Pisicato]

Thanks for all the advises. Nothing worked,  because the printed OEM code was/is not accepted by Microsoft.

The page with recoverydisks does not recognize my model (XE926EA #ABH) so I am going to buy a new win 10 home license. It was worth trying;)

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Sorry that didn't work.

I do not think W10 will work on that model.

I do not believe the graphics will work on W10.

I would not risk buying it.

[Pisicato]

Thanks for all your advice. I tried it with Windows 10 Pro and it worked, but not very fast. Now I have installed another Win 7 Home 64 bit edition and it works on an acceptable speed with a Evo 840 SSD. For my last vacation, a week ago, that was enough.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.