Windows 7 Home Professional won't start.

[Rob1036]

Hello to all. I'm new here and i need some help getting back into Windows 7 Home Professional. Here's a list of basically what's happened so far and info that might be useful: HP Pavilion model p7-1234 8mb ram, 1TB HDD, dvd read/write. The hdd is failing, smart error 303. I need my files and photos from it. I turn on pc and it says windows failed to start, a new device or missing files may be the problem. Choices are "repair windows (recommended) or start windows normally. Neither works.

Powering on and using esc key then diagnostics revealed that all is ok except smart error 303. Another error I got said hal.dll and ntoskrnl.exe are missing or corrupted. It also says to insert windows 7 installation disc and do repair but I never got these with my pc. I did make the recovery discs when I purchased the computer but they aren't helping. I know my files and photos are on the disk because I can see them when I run an ubuntu disc. Some things i have which may be useful are: a flash drive, an external hdd case to house an internal hdd, a 1TB hdd i just purchased.

[WAWood]

@Rob1036

Let's get our terms straight so we are both talking about the same thing.  Win7 is either Home or Pro -- not both. So, you need to find out WHICH is the case with yours.

The filesystem corruption errors indicate strongly that your had drive is dying -- which would not be unusual for a Win7 era hard drive -- the SMART errors mean that your primary storage drive (i.e., hard drive) is in imminent danger of failing. While it could last for several more days, it could also fail immediately! The more you use the drive, the less likely you'll be able to recover anything on it.

So, there are four issues to address here:
1) Data Recovery
2) Drive replacement
3) Recovery Media
4) System restoration

---------- Data Recovery ----------
Since you mention using Ubuntu to be able to see the filesystem, that is what I would do -- and copy the personal files to a USB stick or external drive.

---------- Drive Replacement ----------
The drive will need to be replaced. When you remove it, you will see that it is a 3 1/5 inch desktop SATA drive.

You can replace this with any similar desktop drive of the same capacity or larger.
---------- Recovery Media ----------

Once you have the replacement drive, you will need to use something known as HP Recovery Media to restore your PC to working condition. This is a set of DVDs and a CD, or USB stick, that will erase the hard drive (removing all data, settings, and applications, reinstall the original OS, drivers, and some HP Utilities. In some cases, you may be able to order a USB stick instead of disks. You have to order these from HP; they can not be downloaded.

You can look online for Recovery Media starting with the linked paged: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

Once there, input your Product name or number. On your Software and Drivers Download page, select your Operating System and and Version. Click "Update". If HP Recovery Media is available for your machine, down near the bottom of the page, you will see an entry for Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB. Click the "+" symbol to expand that entry and click on Order Media for details.

Or, if you prefer, you can do the same by contacting HP Customer Service:

If you live in the US or Canada, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/phone-assist.html#section1

If you live elsewhere, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-contact-us.html

NOTE: After you get through, stay on the line until you are finally able to talk to some one -- it can take a while!

If you have trouble finding a phone number, then try: 1 (800) 474-6836

If HP no longer provides Recovery Media for your model, a couple of other sites you can check are: http://www.computersurgeons.com/ and http://www.restoredisks.com/

---------- System Restoration ----------

While you are waiting for the media to arrive, read through this: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00006110

Good Luck

[Rob1036]

Some really useful information. I will look into these possible solutions. Thank you! 

[Rob1036]

By the way, yes, my mistake. It's Windows 7 Home Premium, not Home Professional.