Windows Vista --> Windows 7 recovery problems

[jshields63]

Hello all.  First time poster here. 

Product = Compaq Presario 5550f desktop.  Windows Vista originally in November 2008, then upgraded to Windows 7 as soon as it was available.

I recently caught a virus and through the course of eliminating the virus my desktop stopped booting (I think I corrupted the boot sector).  The diagnostics at startup indicated a disk problem (disk scan did not complete).  As I worked on it longer, I lost the ability to get into the recovery manager with the F11 key at startup, so I can't wipe and start over. 

I pulled the hard drive, installed it on my other desktop as a secondary drive and backed up all my files (which I should have done before starting to work on it...).  Also tried checkdisk on the other computer and it "found and fixed errors".  Re-installed in the original computer and still can't boot.  Tried the Vista recover disks I made in 2008 and get an error "0x4001100200001012"  when it completes the loading files operation .  Didn't make Windows 7 recovery disks, but from what I can tell the recovery partition doesn't get upgraded anyway.

One option would be to order recovery disks from HP, but if the ones I made don't work, not sure HP ones would.  I could reformat the C: partition by putting it back in the other desktop, but that makes me a little nervous.  I can't find a way to force it to boot directly from the D: recovery partition in setup.  What else can I try?  Help!

Jeff

[lasvegaswireman]

Here are the specs for your Compaq Presario SR5550F Desktop Computer, assuming you have the SR5550F. Using your HP Recovery Discs is optional... provided you don't mind the lack of HP/Compaq branding and much of the handicapped trial-ware. You can install Windows 7 (don't enter the Windows product key on the COA until Windows is completely installed) from your upgrade media and install the HP included software from your Recovery Disc #1. If you absolutely want to install Vista first and then upgrade, you order the recover media from HP. Contact HP Customer Support via telephone, chat, or emailnand request the "French, English Vista Home Premium 32b 83NAv3PrA1 SP1 + Supp 1 Recovery Kit"

[jshields63 · Accepted solution]

In the process of shutting down the computer after typing my post, the computer went into the recovery manager all by itself.  Maybe trying to run the recovery disks again did something?  Anyway, wiped clean and back on Vista now (it sucks as much as I remember) and on my way back to Window 7.

Jeff