How do I reset to factory settings after uninstalling all HP Software?

[ShadowfoxEX]

Model: Compaq Presario CQ56-109WM

Issue: A while back, I had installed a clean copy of windows 8 onto my laptop. In the process, I had removed all HP software originally installed on it (I basically removed everything on the original drive. However I did not delete the recovery partition on the drive, thinking that I would still be able to reset to factory settings if I wanted to.

Well that time is now, I plan to reset the laptop to it's original factory settings and then sell the laptop, with all the programs whatnot erased from it. I could probably just reinstall windows 8 onto it, but I think I would sell it better if I had it's original factory settings (and therefore would not have to worry about anti-virus programs and what-not that came with the laptop)

Problems:

• As I deleted the HP software from the main drive, it resulted in the deletion of the hp factory restore program.

• As it's not a "driver", I cannot find the program online
• The partition "D:/ Recovery" still exists, untouched
• Practically everything originally on the C:/ was erased
• If it's any worth: the sticker with the HP logo with the S/N and P/N either fell off or was non-existant

So I am asking what can I do to reset my laptop to factory conditions. Any help would be obliged

[WaseemW]

Hi,

If you wish to use retail version OS, you can download all teh drivers for your computer (windows 7) from here.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=4308185&

for a factory shipped OS and applications. here is the thing,

i presume taht you have not created the media before installing the windows 8. which means you need to use HP master recovery media to restore computer to factory settings.

please order HP recovery media from Hp.com (steps are available @ link below), and restore computer to factory shipped condition.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&docname=bph07143

Hope it helps. Good Luck.

[ShadowfoxEX]

I'm having this problem with the first link, (second link pretty much told me to go to the first link). Goes to this link
https://warp2.external.hp.com/driver/dr_country_select.asp?Product=630336-001&lc=en&cc=us
shows this problem:
"error '80004005'

/driver/dr_country_select.asp, line 37"

[WaseemW]

Hi,

could be a broekn link, Please google the document ID # bph07143 for recovery media steps. i can see 1st result with hp.com page about "looking for recovery".

[ShadowfoxEX]

The first option is just a copied page of the second link you gave me before. Not the problem I am facing here. The link gives directions. I followed those directions and ended up at a dead end. And I've been looking about at different solutions, none of them are directing me to a functional location to purchase a recovery disk of any kind. So far, you've told me pretty much everything that I've already done. Give me something new

[WaseemW]

hey, this should help get the media.

Please visit www.hp.com ; select country from the bottom left handside if you are outside USA.

now please select "support and drivers" > now click drivers & software> input model number of your computer. (if the list is populated incase similar models are there in this series, select the model you have)

select the OS you recieved this with computer and click next > now you should get one option "order recovery media - select that and under that you have type of media available. select and media you want.

incase you have issue in ordering media; you can try after sometime and/or contact HP support to get the media ordered.

also for few countries or products recovery order online may not be available; in such cases, please visit region/country website ( www.hp.com and select country). click connect with HP and contact HP. email/phone support numbers are available, please contact support team to place an order for your product in specific country(if available).

[ShadowfoxEX]

CONGRATULATIONS! I followed your advice, going to the HP website! I input my model number under the drivers and software (even though I've done this already and was talking about the issue at hand saying that I looked at all the drivers and didnt find what I needed). So I selected the OS I recieved with the laptop and sure enough I found the installation disk! Annnnnd oh MY GOD! There's something wrong. I mean I'm in the USA, and I selected the correct installation disk, but this showed up:

"error '80004005'/driver/dr_country_select.asp, line 37"

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!
Oh wait, you answered that: "could be broken link" (considering they had a cache of it on google, I find server failure to be more likely)

Contacting HP... isnt that what I'm doing now?

You know what, either you're following some shitty textbook formula to deal with problems like this, or you're inherently stupid for telling me three times to do the same thing. It's clear that I'm smarter than you, I've found the CORRECT disk for sale at a 3rd party vendor. Dont trust them, but hey I know what I'm looking for now no thanks to you. And as a result, I'm just going to download a copy of the regular (non-HP branded) Windows 7 and use that instead (because in case you didnt know, I have the CD Key on the bottom of the laptop. Was there when I bought it, never knew it was there until I looked around for info)

By the way, please stop calling it "media". That's a term in computing, usually defined as "storage unit device". Otherwise used as communications, and generally interpreted by the common person as "Audio/Video program".
Psst, use the word "software" instead. It makes you sound smarter

[Daniel_Potyrala]

Hi

Boot the Windows 8 and try the below suggestion.

1. Go to the desktop, press the key combination [Win-Logo] + [R]. In the field box type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter key.
2. This will launch the ' Disk Management ' which will show you all of the partitions.
4. Right-click on the ' Recovery ' partition and select ' Mark Partition as Active. '
5. When the warning prompt appears, select  ' Yes '.

6. Reboot and it should automatically boot into the Recovery Manager (without pressing F11).

Note:

I can not assure you that this will work. This solution was not tested with Windows 8.

You will do this at your on risk.

[ShadowfoxEX]

I did it, but it's still booting from the Main drive. Recovery screen isnt loading

Not to mention I think I've deleted the "System recovery" program upon my clean install. Dont know how to fix it either.