Can't Reinstall Vista on new hard drive for Pavilion dv9700t

[Jae43]

Hello.

Recently, the hard drive on my Pavilion dv9700t (p/n:KL086AV) started to fail.  So I bought a new hard drive and created some recovery discs (I hadn't realized I needed to create them until now, but I was lucky and my computer held out long enough to do so).

However, when I installed the new hard drive, and attempted to run the recovery discs, I got the message, "This PC is not supported by the System Recovery Discs.  You will not be able to continue to recover this system with these discs."

I have vista 32-bit, my old hard drive was 320gb and the new one I bought is a Seagate 500gb.

Through researching this problem, I have come across different answers.  Some say the size of the hard drive needs to be the same as the old one, others say recovery discs don't work on a new hard drive unless a special action is taken by a technician, and some say there shouldn't be any problem at all.

I can't seem to find any consistent information on this problem.  I would very much appretiate any advice.  Thank you in advance!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Sometimes the disks simply don't work.

I haven't run into an issue where if you got a bigger drive they don't work, but if you get a smaller drive like an SSD, then it is almost a sure bet they won't work.

As I see it, you have two choices:  Buy a set of recovery disks from HP if they are available and hope they work.

Or if you can read your 25 character Vista product key on the MS COA sticker on the bottom of your PC, you can make your own Vista installation disk.

If you're up to a slight but rewarding challenge you can make your own if you can read your 25 character Vista product key on the PC.

Just download the 3 files you need at the link below, and read all of the instructions to create a bootable DVD installation disk using imageburn.

Disregard the part of the text under the first screen shot about "extract the files to the Vista folder."

The files were already extracted to that folder when you ran the X14.exe file by reading the text on top of the first screen shot.

The other thing I noticed is on the 4th screen shot, where it shows Developer ID Microsoft Corporation. I had to type Microsoft Corporation in myself, and then the other codes automatically populated.

When I went to compile the ISO file, ImageBurn gave a message that about a WIM file and ISO, and if I wanted to burn it in a different format.

I selected No, make the ISO file.

It was not that hard to do. I burned both the 64 bit disk and the 32 bit disk in case I ever need them.

I tested both of them an my hp dc7100 CMT desktop PC, they worked perfectly.

When you enter the product key, it knows what version of Vista you have.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/3317.2-3-microsoft-windows-v....

After you successfully install Vista, you can then install the drivers from your PC's support and driver page.

Paul

[Jae43]

Thank you so much.  This worked perfectly, and your directions couldn't have made it any easier.  I am extremely grateful.  Thank you again!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome!

Happy to be of assistance.