Factory Reset Problem - Greyed out option

[timothywibisono]

My windows 7 on HP pavilion dm4-3001TX seems to have a problem. It always shows a blue screen error everytime I try to boot it up. I have no idea to fix the start up blue screen error in my laptop that runs windows 7. I have decided to use the HP recovery manager to restore my laptop to its original condition, however the system recovery option under the tab of I need immediate help is somehow greyed out so I am unable to choose the factory reset option.

I tried to open HP recovery manager using f11 key, but the option of factory reset under the tab of I need immediate help seems to be greyed out. I remember that I have created  recovery image using HP Recovery Media Creation tool into CDs, thus I tried to boot the CD up to access the HP recovery manager. However, the recovery manager from the recovery CD also greyed out the factory reset problem. Does anyone have an idea why the factory reset option is greyed out?

Thanks in advance

[The_Fossette]

@timothywibisono,

Welcome to the HP Forums!

Thank you for posting your query on this forum, it's a great place to find answers.

I reviewed your post and I understand that you are unable to perform a recovery on the computer.

Don’t worry, I assure you I will try my best to get this sorted.

In order that I may provide you with an accurate solution, I will need a few more details.

• When was the last time the computer was working fine?
• Have you made any software or hardware changes on the computer?
• Have you performed any troubleshooting steps before posting?

Meanwhile, I recommend you follow the steps in the below article to perform a recovery on the computer and check if that resolves the issue.

https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c01867418

If the issue persists, I am sending you a private message with the instructions please follow the steps.

Let me know how it goes and you have a great day!

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!

[timothywibisono]

Thanks for your reply on my post.

It is correct that I am having a problem to perform a factory reset of my hp pavilion dm4-3001tx. For your details:

• The last time my laptop works properly was on 13th of June 2018.
• On the 13th of June 2018 I made a software changes. I uninstalled a utility software, namely AVG PC Tuneup. After that, I turned off my laptop, and turned it on again a few hours later. I remember that it was the first time a bluescreen error message , with a stop code of 21A, showed up on my laptop after 6 years of using it. That is why I decided to perform a factory reset of my laptop.
• Yes,  I have tried troubleshooting steps using the so-called virtual assistant, online chat with HP support employee, as well as following steps provided in the link https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c01867418 that you suggested me to try. None of that works anyway. That is because the factory reset option is greyed out and I could not click the option.

Those are some details I can give you regarding the problem I am facing with my unit. I am waiting for your further assistance, and sorry for my late response.

[timothywibisono · Accepted solution]

I have already performed a factory reset on my pavilion dm4-3001tx. It turned out that the factory reset option was greyed out because I cloned all the files and all the partition from my old HDD into a new HDD.

I tried to perform a factory reset using my new HDD after cloning all the partition from my old HDD (including the recovery partition and HP tools partition) but IT DIDN'T WORK. Therefore, I put my old HDD back into the laptop and tried to perform a factory reset. This time IT WORKS.

In conclusion, I suggest everybody to create a recovery media image into a USB drive or a DVD right from the stock HDD so that it can be used to perform a factory reset later if windows is having a problem later in the future. This has to be done because cloning the HDD, including the recovery partition,  will not make the factory reset possible in the future (you can't even create a media image recovery if you cloned all the partitions from the old HDD ).

[The_Fossette]

@timothywibisono,

Perfect, I am really glad to hear that! 

If any other questions arise, please feel free to write back to me.

Good day! Take care 🙂

Cheers!