Re-image system to factory defaults ..

[Susja]

Hello,

My company has HP computer that we get from our Vendor. It has a label 'Window 7' on the box. Currently PC has Windows XP OS. We think that Vendor bought this computer as Win 7 and then downgraded it to XP in order to put their application.

Now we don't need XP any more and want to have Windows 7.

I assume that this PC might have Windows 7 somewhere hidden on partition and I'd like to restore that image.

My question: How could I find this partition and replace current XP with Windows 7?

Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

There is no hidden partition.

If the PC's you are referring to are HP business desktop PC's, they were downgraded from W7 Pro to XP Pro at the factory and the only recovery partition they would have on them would have been for XP.

That is why they have W7 Pro COA stickers on them.

The PC's would have come with a set of W7 Pro installation/recovery disks.

If you live in the USA/Canada, call HP at this number to order a set of W7 recovery disks for each model series PC you need them for.  One set of disks for each model will work on the same model.

Have the serial number handy for each model PC you need the disks for.

1-800-334-5144

If you do not live in the USA/Canada, you will have to call the HP business PC support phone number for the country you live in and order the disks.

[Susja]

Well ... thanks for so fast reply ...

I found 2 disck in our closet,

One is called System Recovery Media for Windows 7 Disc 1:1 'Supplemental Disc'

Another one is called System Recovery for Windows 7 Disc 3

Now I'll try to boot XP and see it I could use those discs ...

Thanks again

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Seems like you are missing two of those disks.

You are missing disk 1 and disk 2 of the System Recovery for Windows 7.

[Susja]

Well ... do you have an instruction how to perform 'recovery' i.e. re-imaging using those Discs?

Also what key should I press to get into BIOS and set to boot from CD?

Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

None of those disks you have are bootable.

Only the first one (disk 1 of 3) is bootable, and then you insert the other disks when prompted to do so.

To boot from a disk you tap the F9 key (or ESC key if it is a newer model) at the beginning of the HP welcome screen.

Then you select the DVD drive from the menu and hit the enter key.

But that won't work with any of the disks you have since they are not bootable.