Windows 7 x64 OS Recovery for a client with a failed Hard Drive

[ComputerMikes]

So a client brings in his DV6 laptop for us to replace the hard drive (physical hardware failure on the read/write heads, click of death) and we notice the product key (of course) is rubbed off the label.  on top of that, the client wants us to upgrade him to a 850 Pro Samsung SSD (no problem) once we get the recovery media from HP.

So we order the media and go to install it, and the first thing we come across at 6% is the error: failed to create SDV.FLG

*crap*

Troubleshooting time:

Tried an external DVDRW Drive to install OS - no dice

Tried a WD Black 7200RPM drive (brand new) - no dice

Tried removing sticks of RAM, different slot configurations - no dice

Many other hours of troubleshooting entailed with all the same outcome.  We even called HP back to verify they sent the correct disks which they adamantly exclaimed they did.

So here we are with a laptop that should have only taken a 2 hour effort and ended up with a happy client, and now we are nowhere close to a happy outcome.  So I come to the forum of Wizards, Geniuses and then the occasional *happy?* HP Support Person asking for help.

Here's the info:

Pavilion DV6-7010US

P/N: B5S11UA#ABA

System Board ID: 182D

System Board CT Number: PCRFQ2A2E2SAFE

BIOS Version: F.25

Disks Provided to us from HP (for $35):

Part Numbers: 692848-001 and 692849-001

Preferred Hard Drive to install to: Samsung P/N - MZ7LN500, M/N - MZ-75E500, 850 EVO 500GB SSD

Secondary Option: Western Digital P/N: WD7500BPKX, 750GB 7200RM Hard Drive

Any and all help will be extraordinarily appreciated!!!

[IT_WinSec]

Hello,

Thank you for posting in the HP Support forum.

I am sorry for the issue you are encountering with this unit. I am not aware what exactly this SDV.FLG error means. I suspect it is either wrong DVDs used/sent  or  they are corrupted for some reason.  I have asked for a moderator to escalate your issue to a special team.  You may be contacted here in private in the following days.

[Duane_D · Accepted solution]

I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP. They will likely request information from you in order to look up your case details or product serial number. Please look for a private message from an identified HP contact. Additionally, keep in mind not to publicly post personal information (serial numbers and case details). If you are unfamiliar with how the Forum's private message capability works, you can learn about that here.
Thank you for visiting the HP Support Forum.

[ComputerMikes]

Duane,

Thank you for the escalation.  A member of your escalation team has confirmed that I was shipped the wrong installation/recovery disks and they are shipping me a replacement set, due to be delivered by Wednesday. 

[ComputerMikes]

Well, here I was happy for resolution, but I got the exact same set of disks shipped to me.... and giving me the exact same error.

[IT_WinSec]

Checking this internally, again.

Sorry about that.

[Duane_D]

I do apologize that you are not getting the right disks. I have escalated your matters to our Customer escalations team one more time in hopes that we can get this rectified very soon. 

Thank you for your patience with us. 

HP Moderator

Duane_D

[ComputerMikes]

So after a lot of troubleshooting, it seems like I have managed to come up with the solution for this error.  It is still BIOS related, so follow along with me.

In BIOS (the newest ones with the secure boot option) you must delete ALL security keys.

Once they are deleted, reboot back into BIOS and then have it restore all HP OEM keys and reboot back into BIOS again.

Make sure secure boot is disabled and that legacy boot is enabled and then reinstall/recover your OS.

BOOM!  One crazy solution that so many have been seeking apparently.

HP, please somehow write up an official FAQ on this and an educated explanation for the masses!

[IT_WinSec]

@ComputerMikes

Hi,  Thank you for much for the follow up !    I am really glad this is finally solved for you. Enjoy life !