Can't restore OS

[T80]

Hello! I've a Compaq Presario F700 Notebook and I was trying to restore the original OS (Vista Home Basic) with the recovery disc I've created long time ago. But I can't restore the computer because it says the recovery it is not for my PC. Digging around I noticed that in the BIOS some things are messed up, the model, product number and serial are absent; UUID is a bunch of zeros and the default OS says non-vista. Could that be the problem? How to solve it?

[IT_WinSec]

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@T80wrote:

 Digging around I noticed that in the BIOS some things are messed up, the model, product number and serial are absent; UUID is a bunch of zeros and the default OS says non-vista. Could that be the problem? How to solve it?

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Hi,

Thank you for posting in the HP Support forum.

Yes, this could be a problem.

Start with a hard reset to release any excessive static on the PC: 

• Press and hold the power button on the computer until the computer shuts off. 

• With the power off, disconnect the power cord from the computer. 

• With the power off and the power cord disconnected, press the power button on the computer for 5 seconds. The power light indicator on or near the power button might turn on briefly but then go out. 

• Reconnect the power cord and turn on the power. 

Did you perform a BIOS update recently ? If yes, try BIOS recovery >> https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02693833

If you have followed the steps above and still the information is missing, I would suggest the only option would be to contact HP tech support for a hardware service as the motherboard may require a tattoo/Bios Flash. 

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp

If in the USA, please call 1-(800)-474-6836

[T80]

I tried the "hard reset" but it didn't work. I have not performed a BIOS upgrade recently. I clicked the link of HP support, but when I enter my product it says "This product is no longer serviced by HP". I'm from Venezuela, HP support here does not exist, and I can't afford buying a new PC. Looking around the Internet I found a post about an HP dmifit utility to ingress that information into the motherboard bios and an HP Expert volunteer submitted that dmfit utility to someone and the instrucctions. Can you tell if that utility is valid for my product too? @IT_WinSec

[IT_WinSec]

Hi @T80

Thank you for your detaisk

You can contact HP support for Venezula

Reference:  http://www8.hp.com/ve/es/contact-hp/phone-assist.html

[T80 · Accepted solution]

HP support is really useless, I've called and they told me they are not servicing my product anymore. However, I managed to "tattoo" my motherboard myself with the utility HPBQ116.exe