Trouble loading software after installing new hard drive on laptop.

[Pocketgun]

I recently had to replace the hard drive in my dv7-7030us Entertainment Notebook. I have tried unsuccessfully to download Windows 7.  I have tried several versions, and Windows 8.1 with no luck. I keep getting to a point where the computer asks where to store the software, and the screen will show how much for the partition, but when I attempt to  choose an area, I get a warning sign and message that says something about GPT and EFI. I know this is about the bios, but is there something I have to down load first, prior to the Windows?

[WAWood]

@Pocketgun

Hello;

Allow me to welcome you to the HP forums!

Your PC came with an HP OEM version of Win7 preinstalled -- and since that is NOT available for download, anything you download is not going to work to restore your PC.

What you need is something known as HP Recovery Media.

HP Recovery Media is a set of DVDs and a CD, or USB stick, that will erase the hard drive (removing all data, settings, and applications, reinstall the original OS, drivers, and some HP Utilities. In some cases, you may be able to order a USB stick instead of disks. You have to order these from HP; they can not be downloaded.

You can look online for Recovery Media starting with the linked paged: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

Once there, input your Product name or number. On your Software and Drivers Download page, select your Operating System and and Version. Click "Update". If HP Recovery Media is available for your machine, down near the bottom of the page, you will see an entry for Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB. Click the "+" symbol to expand that entry and click on Order Media for details.

Or, if you prefer, you can do the same by contacting HP Customer Service:

If you live in the US or Canada, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/phone-assist.html#section1

If you live elsewhere, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-contact-us.html

NOTE: After you get through, stay on the line until you are finally able to talk to some one -- it can take a while!

If you have trouble finding a phone number, then try: 1 (800) 474-6836

If HP no longer provides Recovery Media for your model, a couple of other sites you can check are: http://www.computersurgeons.com/ and http://www.restoredisks.com/

Before using the media, read through this: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00006110

Good Luck