Pavilion computer crashed - bad hard disk - replaced it. HP Recover disk didn't work

[GoPentax]

Have an HP Pavilion a6-700f with Win 7.  PC crashed - had to replace the hard disk - replaced with same size disk (500GB) but different mfg.  Ran the HP Recovery Disk I had made. 

Get "Windows is loading files", then "Starting Windows", then "Contact HP Support" with the following error message - "The system recovery media does not support this compter.  You are not able to restore this system with the media".  What????  Same system I created the recovery program on???  Now what do I do?

Thanks for any help.

ChipB

[JSPhilip]

Same problem, different pavillion  (e9270F).  Seagate Barracuda 1TB drive replaced with new SB 1TB.  As above but I also thought my disks could be bad so I bought new recovery disks from HP and same problem.  I now realize this is an HP constraint to keep you for installing windows on a new drive.  Some have said you have to buy new full version of windows or new computer.  SAY IT AINT SO!!!!

[mahemac]

Hi, 

           This error message pops up if any hardware changes as been made on the computer, like upgrading the memory or added a new video card or power supply. Try to get the system back to factory added hardware and then try to run the system recovery connecting only keyboard, mouse, monitor & the power cable.

[GoPentax]

Thanks for the response, but the ONLY change to the computer was the install of a new hard disk.  NO other changes have been made.

[JSPhilip]

No changes to the computer.  Far to new for memory, power source, or HDD failure.....Oh, wait, the HDD did fail, and this seems to be a VERY common problem. 

[mahemac]

Hi,

           Try the below step where in you can run a smart test on the HDD, to make sure its working fine.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00386164&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en

If the test gets passed, then send me the product no and i will check what can be done.

[GoPentax]

Ran diags - system recognized the HD - everything passed.  System is an a6-700f - Prod # = FQ565AA-ABA.

Thanks,

ChipB

[mahemac]

Hi,

           Since you have tried running the system recovery using the disk created on the system, so the only option which is left now is to buy set of recovery disk from HP.

[JSPhilip]

I have run the smart tests on the old disk-failed, and the new disk-passed.  I have done the same with the seagate tools with the same results on both disks.  I have purchased the HP restore disks and get the same problem.  It gets to the end and pops up a message that this software cannot be installed on this computers hardware.  It seems to be a Digital Rights Management type problem.  I can restore to the original disk but it doesnt correct the problems with that disk and it is very unstable.  This happens if the new disk is the only HDD, or if it is a second drive in master or slave position.

[GoPentax]

Not sure who posted about buying the HP disks - it wasn't me, the OP.

Why should I have to BUY something from HP when an HP function FAILED?????!!!!!  And, based on a LOT of posts, the HP supplied recovery disks also FAIL.

I (we) need a FIX for this issue, NOT "buy disks".

ChipB