Recovery Partition won't engage at boot from F11 after stock Win7 install - Probook 4520s

[inferKNOX]

Notebook: HP Probook 4520s (with Energy Star sticker)

OS: Windows 7 32-bit

Error: Nothing happens when pressing F11 at boot

Pre-issue changes: Installed Windows 7 from stock Windows 7 disc

I'm a PC Technician with quite a few years behind me, but this got me at a standstill even after a day of searching online for solutions.

A friend bought a ProBook 4520s where the previous owner, just before selling it, installed Windows 7 from a stock Windows 7 disc from Microsoft (I guess to sell it with a 'clean' OS), which of course ened up bare without drivers, etc.

When the install was done though, he/she didn't destroy the HP partitioning (ie, the partitions remained:  SYSTEM, OS (c:\), HP_RECOVERY, HP_TOOLS). Those partitions seem intact, so I'm trying to perform an HP Recovery to bring the computer back to factory settings.
When rebooting, I'm prompted to press 'esc' for options, which I do, then it prompts 'F11' for HP Recovery. When I press F11, it just boots the Windows 7 OS as normal. From what I've managed to gather via searching, I believe something was disturbed on the HP_RECOVERY partition, like the MBR, or something, possibly by the previous user making the HP_RECOVERY partition active, then selecting "Repair Windows" on the Windows disc.

Solutions I've tried include:

• Pressing ESC -> F11 at boot [simply boots as usual].
• Setting the HP_RECOVERY partition to 'active' from Disc Management, then rebooting [simply boots as usual].
• Installing "Enhanced HP Backup and Recovery Manager for Microsoft Vista" (sp38131.exe) [when run and PC Recovery is selected, it says there is no recovery partition and asks for discs].
• Installing "Fix for HP Multi-Partition Recovery Manager" from (sp48415.exe) suggest in the 'green post' here [no change].
• Installing "Recovery Manager Installer Patch for Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade" (sp45823.exe)  [no change].
• Installing "HP Recovery Manager for Microsoft Windows 7" (sp45602.exe) [no change].

I live far from having access to buying Recovery DVDs from HP, so need a solution to fix this, please. At most, I can download.

The OS in the Recovery, I expect is Windows 7, because there's a Windows 7 sticker on the notebook.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

There isn't anything you can do to get the recovery partition to work once someone removed the HP install with the recovery manager program, which is not available for download.

You will need to order a set of recovery disks by calling 1-800-334-5144.

You will need to provide the model # and serial number for the PC to the customer services rep.

Cost is $10.

If you do not want to bear the expense, then you can make your own W7 installation disk.

If you can read the 25 character Microsoft windows 7 product key, you can download plain Windows 7 ISO files to burn to a DVD for the version of windows that came installed on your PC, and that is listed on the Microsoft COA sticker on your PC's case.

Burn the ISO using the Burn ISO option on your DVD burning program and burn at the slowest possible speed your program will allow. This will create a bootable DVD.

Use the 25 character product key on the PC to activate the installation.

The key will activate either a 32 or 64 bit installation.

Then go to the PC's support and driver page to install the drivers you need.

Link to the W7 ISO file downloads is below.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/

Paul

[inferKNOX]

Well, that is very dissappointing to hear.

I thought it may be a correctable technical issue with the MBR or something, that I could be walked through, since I have some technical knowledge. You're absolutely sure there's no way? The HP_RECOVERY partition clearly has the data, as it's almost full, just that I can't manage to use it.

As I said, I live out of reach of getting the HP Recovery Discs. I'm in a country in Africa with no local HP representation to be specific.

Thanks for letting me know.

[Mista B]

Not a great loss really.

best bet would be formating & reallocating partions/space & create your own backup partition.

Get an ISO image of Win 7 burn it to disc or USB & you have install & repar media.

Drivers are easily downloaded from hp (keep these in backup partition or load them to insall if using a USB)

Advantage with Microsoft generic OS is it will be up to date SP1 MR release & need little extra updates & not full of trial apps ect.

Once set up & runing well you can create a backup image or clone of c drive with the many free or shareware products available. End result with some effort will be far better than oem manufacturer recovery.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

There isn't any way that I know of.

Besides, the recovery disk is a plain OEM version devoid of any drivers or software.

The application and driver DVD does automatically install the software and drivers that are on the recovery partition but all that stuff is on the notebook's support and driver page (except the DVD software, which is no big deal since you can play DVD's in W7 w/o any 3rd party software).

Just download and burn the ISO using a the ISO burn option and reinstall W7.

If you can't find the drivers, please read this guide to finding the hardware ID's and post the top string of characters for each one, and I will give you the links to the drivers you need.

http://laptop-driver.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-to-check-hardware-id.html

I always delete all of those partitions and reinstall a clean OS on any PC I own, and download just the drivers and software I need, anyway.

I see no major reason for dismay.

A recovery partition is convenient to have, but once you build the PC the way you want, use the included Backup and imaging tool native to all versions of W7 and create your own recovery image on a portable usb hard drive.  Then use that if you ever need to recover the OS.

[Mista B]

The Windows backup image tool is ok but I always do a tried & tested partition image with trusted software solution to external caddy hard-drive.
a cloning option available to everyone & one I have used & recommended in the past for those who do not want to pay is copywipe

[inferKNOX]

Well finding the product support page isn't an issue. Just thought it would be a plus to restore it to the factory config. and maintain that ability. Will just install afresh with the sticker Win7 key and make a custom recovery.

Thank you guys for helping me put a close to this.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Again, if you get stuck finding one of those obscure drivers, just post the hardware ID and I will send you the link.

[inferKNOX]

Don't worry about it ( http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=4145200&... )
Tx. ;-)