Attempting to restore after wiping HDD

[J0eg]

I used Dave's Nuke and Boot to remove files and data so PC could be reused without being too concerned about someone retrieving files. I had had created a recovery file on USB. There seems to be at least 2 issues preventing the recovery. One indicates Windows can not find a system image and another indicates I should install a driver and when I do it says the specified location does not contain information about your hardware. I tried using a using a resinstalation DVD for Windows Pro 64 bit. Any thoughts on what I'm missing?

[Huffer]

I am not sure what kind of recovery file you made on usb. We need to get very specific about what you have at your disposal. The laptop originally came with Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OEM. It needs to be reactivated with the Key Code found on the bottom of the laptop or in the battery bay. No other Windows version except Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OEM can be reactivated with that Code. So using a retail disk or any Windows 7 Pro disk will not work. 

Please in some detail describe how you are trying to do this. Was the laptop ever possibly upgraded to Windows 10 when that was free? If so reinstalling Windows 10 is a piece of cake.  

[J0eg]

Hi Huffer, I had created a recovery drive on a flash drive which needed at least 8GB of memory. After failing trying to use the recovery drive I tried using the Windows 7 Pro, but you are correct the PC came with Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OEM and was upgraded to Windows 10 during the free period. I had gone to MS site with the key code and they said to go to HP.  I have not contacted HP yet.  Wasn't certain if the same key code would apply for windows 10. Thanks for your assistance. 

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

You need no Key Code for Windows 10. Use that same 8 gig usb thumb drive and go to the Microsoft Media Creation Tool site. Follow the prompts. You download a fairly large .iso and it then allows you to make a bootable usb Windows 10 recovery disk. If Windows 10 was ever activated on that machine the Windows 10 activation server knows it. Windows 10 will just activate with no Key Code, like magic. Not sure how they do it and it is a little creepy when you think about it but I have done it lots of times and attest that it works. Free OS. On the other hand, you will struggle to find Windows 7 media that will work for you. 

If this is good info and works for you please accept as solution. 

[J0eg]

Worked as described. Thanks for your help. Wish I would have looked for help earlier.