How to resolve the Windows 7 Boot problem if HP never provided a Windows re-installation disc?

[driveway88]

My HP G72-B60US recently is unable to boot. The Windows Boot Manager window displays " Windows failed to start. To fix the problem:

1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer

2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next."

3. Click "Repair your computer."

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administor or computer manufacturer for assistance.

File: \Boot\BCD

Status: 8xc000000f

info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuaration data."

Because the laoptop has been out of warranty and the computer is unable to boot, I am unable to create a recovery disc. I have two questions.

1. Is it possible to download a free Windows 7 Home Reinstallation file to boot my computer?

2. When reinstallation of the operating system, do I have to wipe all date in this situation? If no, how to reboot the operating system without wipping out all data?

Thank you for your answer.

[WAWood]

driveway88

To answer your questions ...

1) NO.  There is no free version and HP does not provide downloads.  What you need is something known as HP Recovery Media.  This is a set of DVDs and a CD 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 entty 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 that 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/

2) The factory restore erases the drive and recreates all the partitions, so be sure to read through the material in the linked thread BEFORE you attempt the recovery:  http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00707939

Good Luck

I am a volunteer and I do not work for, nor do I represent, HP.
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[driveway88]

By search I saw hitting the F11 key could enter the HP Recovery. There the user can reinstall the operation system.

[WAWood]

F11 does run HP Recovery, but whether that works remains to be seen. 

This requires that the Recovery Parition be intact and untouched and the HP Recovery Manager work correctly --which is not always the case with problems like this.

[driveway88 · Accepted solution]

I have resolved the problem through the F11 key. So, the correct procedure for the reinstallation of the OP seems to try the F11 key first. By the way, the Dell PC Recovery seems F8 key. User should remember the key for the PC Recovery.