Unable to restore or recover a Pavillion dm4 with recovery disks.

[Caraisin]

I did a complete hardware diagnostics test and all tests passed.  

I cannot access the recovery through the main menu since I am getting a BSOD.

I ordered recovery disks from HP and received them yesterday.   Attempted to install the recovery disks with no success. 

I called iguru in india and they walked me through to see if I could get these disks to work.  No luck.  At every turn I continue to get the BSOD.  They referred me to HP support.

HP support told me to either extend the warranty (warranty expired about a month ago) or send it in for repairs at $250-300.  I don't have that kind of cash laying around.

Question:  Is there something that I am missing?  

Pavillion dm4

Model # dm4-1065dx

Windows 7 OS 64 bit.

[DavidPK]

Hi,

There is an alternative way to try and reinstall Windows if you have ( or can borrow ) a retail Windows 7 installation disc that is exactly the same version as your OEM installation - ie if your notebook came with Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit this is the exact retail version you would need.

If you don't have access to a retail disc, you can create an installation disc yourself - just download the correct Disc Image from the link below and use an application such as ImgBurn to burn the ISO correctly to a blank DVD.  These images are perfectly clean and from a well respected source, however, there are only limited versions available.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/download-windows-7-iso-official-32-bit-and-64-bit-direct-download-link...

Use the disc to perform the installation, enter the Windows activation key found on the underside of your notebook when requested and when the installation has completed, use the 'Phone Method' detailed in the link below to activate the OS - this method supported by Microsoft and is popular with people who just want a clean installation of Windows 7 without the additional software load normally bundled with OEM installations.

http://www.kodyaz.com/articles/how-to-activate-windows-7-by-phone.aspx

Any additional drivers you may need can be found Here.

Regards,

DP-K

[Caraisin]

I did exactly as you said.  I created a DVD boot disk from my digital life link that you provided.  First I installed the ISO file and then burned to disk.

I started up my laptop and inserted the DVD into the bay.  I get a BSOD.  I shut down the system and restarted again and then pressed the "esc" key to get into the "Start Up Menu".  From here I went into F9 for Boot device options to set my DVD rom to start first.

It is reading the disk in the drive but then afterwards it goes right to the BSOD.  

Note: under the Startup menu I have tried all the options presented there with no success.  

I am uncertain what to do now.  You have provided an excellent source for me to refer to if I ever need to.  Unfortunately, I am still suffering from the same issue.  

BSOD - Message - 

A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

bla, bla, bla,....

Technical information:

***STOP:  0x00000050  (0xFFFFFA880452FF78, 0x0000000000000001, 0xFFFFF8000CEA93CC, 0x0000000000000005)

Is my Hard drive damaged?  If not, do I need to wipe it clean to do a fresh install?  If so, How do I do that?

Thank you for all your help.

[DavidPK]

Hi,

I realise you have already run Diagnostics, but if you haven't run them from the option in the Bios Menu, follow the process below and let me know.

Shutdown the notebook.  Tap away at f10 as you start the notebook to enter the bios menu.  Under the Advanced or Diagnostic tab you should find the facility to run tests on both the Hard Drive and Memory.  Post back with the details of any error messages.

Regards,

DP-K

[Caraisin]

This will be my second run of test for the Hard drive and Memory.  I will let you know the results.

The first test passed everything but to humor myself I will run it again.

Results of my second test.

Hard Disk Test: Passed

SMART Check: Passed

Short DST: Passed

Long DST: Passed

Memory Test: Passed

[Caraisin]

I could not get into the system bios because I was locked out.  I removed the CMOS battery and then reinstalled.  After that I was able to get back into the Bios Utility.  Currently running Diagnostics through the bios.

Hard Disk test Passed.

Memory Test Passed.

Not sure what to do next.

Still cannot get onto the desktop

I restarted the laptop and pressed F8 continually until I was able to get to the Advanced Boot options.  

From here I am given a plethora of options from:

Repair your Computer

Safe Mode

Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Enable Boot logging

etc, etc, etc.....

I have tried all these options with no results.  I am still continuing to get the BSOD message as listed above.  No details are given as to the offending item that is causing this.  

This is not my laptop but a friends, he told me he never installed any new hardware or software.  So I don't understand why I am getting a Page fault message.  

I will say this.... and I told him he messed up bad!  He was running Unsecured Wireless with an expired antiviral program.  My guess is, he got hacked and hacked big time.  

I am considering removing the harddrive and examining it from my desktop using a transfer kit through the USB port.  

Any suggestions?

[DavidPK · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I would try completely wiping the Hard Drive first and then reinstalling the Operating System.

Download and install Killdisk on the link below - ( this application will write zeros to the entire drive ).

http://software.lsoft.net/KillDiskSuiteFree-Setup.exe

Download and install ImgBurn on the link below.

http://download.cnet.com/ImgBurn/3000-2646_4-10847481.html

Go to the Kill Disk application you have installed in All Programs, open the main folder, then select Bootable Disk creators and from that select Bootable DOS CD Creator which will burn the bootable ISO to a blank CD.

During the next process do not worry about any warnings as your Recovery DVDs will reformat the HDD.

Insert this CD in to your PC that is unable to load Operating System properly. Shut the notebook down, then start it again to boot from the Killdisk CD and follow the on screen instructions for Kill Disk.

A brief description of the process is here Killdisk.

Use this to wipe the whole of the Hard Drive, highlight (80h) and press f10 ( you will also hahe to type a confirmation and hit enter ) - ( this will make sure you include all partitions and then start the process - this may take a couple of hours! ). 

When the process is complete, remove the Killdisk CD,insert the your first HP Recovery Disc and then hold down the power button until the notebook shuts down  Then restart the notebook to try the installation again.

Regards,

DP-K

[huzaifaaa]

I am facing exactly similar problem, except that I do not get any error message....

I bought the Pavilion dm4 last week. I ran into recovery and fresh installation. After windows got installed the system restarted and never came back. It just shows black screen.

I tried f11 after Esc but no luck ..... The hard disk led also goes off.

I would be happy to find a solution....

[Caraisin]

I had a feeling I would have to wipe the harddrive.  

I had pulled it from the laptop and used an adapter to plug into my desktop usb port.  I immediately got the BSOD.  I had to pull the usb plug fast hoping that I didnt corrupt my own system.  Fortunately, I was able to reboot my desktop and am now running an antiviral program to make sure my own computer is clean.

Because of this incident, I have come to the conclusion the entire harddrive from the laptop has been corrupted an is unrecoverable.  

I appreciate your instructions and will follow up with your latest instructions using the links you have provided.  I will give further detail as to the results.  If anything and if worse comes to worse, I will inform my friend to get a new harddrive and OS.

Until then... Thank You.

[DavidPK]

Hi,

You're welcome

All the best,

DP-K