How to reset an EliteBook 2560p to factory settings (other than power drain, windows reset)

[ERROR3000]

Hello,

it seems like I've messed up my EliteBook 2650p's setup pretty badly, since I'm stuck in an automatic repair loop.

Draining the energy did not help and Windows Reset does not work either.

My question is: Is there any secret startup Key Combination to reset the device to System Default as it is useless at it's current state.

Thanks for any help!

Best wishes,
Jo

[CF4]

Hi

WHAT IS THE OPERATING SYSTEM INSTALLED??

1st Please try a Hard Reset
This is valid for most notebooks, and some desktops.
Press and Hold the PWR off button for 4 seconds to force a PWR off.

Unplug from the wall.
IF you see a battery compartment door, then your computer has a removable battery.

IF NOT then you do not have a removable battery.

Remove any removable battery.

Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds to complete the reset.

(Re-insert any battery you removed).

[CF4 · Accepted solution]

Hi

WHAT IS THE OS?  So that a repair DVD/USB could possibly be made.

Next is....

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/product/hp-elitebook-2560p-notebook-pc/5071201/manuals

The 122 page manual  http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03011618

Page 95 may be best to begin at.

Do you have Work/Data or anything to retrieve from the Hard Disk?

CAUTION: Using  F11completely erases hard drive contents and reformats the hard drive. All files you have created and any software installed on the computer are permanently removed. The F11 recovery tool reinstalls the operating system and HP programs and drivers that were installed at thefactory. Software not installed at the factory mustbe reinstalled.

Personal files must be restored from a backup.  OR copied off using a Repair DVD/USB.

 If in doubt please ask.

[ERROR3000]

thanks 4 ur answer.

so i just press F11 at start up?

jThe files on the machine are not important.

[CF4]

Hi

Maybe (if the hardware is not the underlying problem)...

This First part only works when a valid Recovery Partition is enabled.
If it displays an error message then move onto the Second Part:-
OR if you have data you wish to try and save using the XCOPY command.
Then create your own Repair/Recovery/Rebuild/Re-install media or buy a set from HP.

Turn off the computer.
Disconnect all connected devices and cables, Media Drives, USB drives, printers, & faxes.
Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware.
Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power cord.

Turn on the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key, about once every second,
until the Choose an option screen is displayed, and then continue.

On the Choose an Option screen, click Troubleshoot, and work your way through the screens.

Consider a Recovery Media as insurance.

[ERROR3000]

thank you for your reply.

triedtroubleshoot, no success.

hmmm 😕

[ERROR3000]

AS STATED ABOVE,

the OS is Win 10 Pro

THanks for your input, I'll try that. 🙂

[ERROR3000]

thank you for your tips but somehow they're not working ..

[CF4]

Hi

Lets assume that I wanted to fix the same problem you have, what would I do?

I would make a Repair/Rebuild/Recovery/Re-Install DVD/USB, much like the details below.

This First part only works when a valid Recovery Partition is enabled.
If it displays an error message then move onto the Second Part:-
OR if you have data you wish to try and save using the XCOPY command.
Then create your own Repair/Recovery/Rebuild/Re-install media or buy a set from HP.

Turn off the computer.
Disconnect all connected devices and cables, Media Drives, USB drives, printers, & faxes.
Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware.
Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power cord.

Turn on the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key, about once every second,
until the Choose an option screen is displayed, and then continue.

On the Choose an Option screen, click Troubleshoot, and work your way through the screens.

Second Part:-
This may require another PC. Find and Download your .iso from…
(You will need a NON_OEM key for W7);
W8.x and W10 should activate automagically from their embedded licence key.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

For when it’s a NON MS OS ( iOS / Linux ) creating the install media.
www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

A 3rd party site is (Courtesy of @CherylG)...
http://getintopc.com/softwares/operating-systems/windows-7-home-premium-free-download-iso-32-bit-64-...

Expand/Extract/Burn the iso Image onto a DVD/USB as needed.
Microsoft’s Creator Tool will make the required DVD or USB.

Even though it has NO actual HP software/drivers included, you may be able to
XCOPY the C:\Users\* area onto a ‘large’ USB stick, via the Command Prompt.

You’ll need to try various drive letters; D:..-..Z: until it’s matched - could be G; mine’s S:

C:\>XCOPY C:\Users\* S:\ /e /i /h (then files like those 3 listed below get copied over)

C:\Users\desktop.ini
C:\Users\All Users\agent.1509128044.bdinstall.bin
C:\Users\All Users\HP Deskjet 2540 series\Help\flash\zoom.swf

Then you can try System Recovery Options / Advanced Options shown in the screenshots.

NB:- W7 Try running a Startup Repair more than once for a full fix.
NB: - W10 Begin with the Automatic Repair, then Startup Settings etc.

From either the C:\ or the X:\ prompt try the following

cd boot
bootrec /FixMBR
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /RebuildBCD

If the above FAILS then please try:-
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/repair-master-boot-record-mbr-windows
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-7-from-usb
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb

[ERROR3000]

Thank you very much!

Everything except Wi-Fi works now 🚶🚶🚶

Best wishes