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HP Recommended
Hp 15 notebook
Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit)
It tells me my pc/device needs repaired... error code in the subject... I can't find the recovery disk..... Is my best option to backup my files thru the recovery manager and reset my machine to its factory condition? Thanks!

The machine is just over a year old and I'm not sure of the operating system.... sorry....
1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
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Hello @Habfan10

 

Thank you for posting in the HP Support forum. Welcome!

 

The issue you experience is known as blue screen of death (BSOD) and can be caused by hardware or software problem. In your case most likely of software problem.

 

If you purchased this PC about a year ago, most likely you have Windows 10 and not Vista. Vista is an old operating system rarely used anymore and not supported.

 

** Could you confirm with me your full HP product model and product number (p/n). Here is how to get this info and post it back here >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00033108

 

 

 

As a standard precaution, I ask you to perform some basic hardware checks to rule out a hardware issue

 

 

1. Please, shutdown the computer using the power button (pressed and hold for a few seconds until PC powers off)

2. Power the computer back on.

2.1 As soon as you press the power-on button, immediately begin hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap) before any logo appears. This should open a HP Startup Menu

 

3. Choose F2 to open System Diagnostics. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform diagnostics.

This will check major hardware componets for issue (do it just in case) . Here is more info >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JXUp43ahHA

 

If there are no system checks/no quick tests, perform both HDD (hard disk drive) and RAM check (memory check).

 

Let me know the test results.

 

Your FEEDBACK is important. Use the interactive buttons below and let me know if the post helps ;
*** HP employee *** I express personal opinion only *** Joined the Community in 2013

View solution in original post

This video has been updated: https://youtu.be/14GKIpGPNRM Learn how to test your HP computer hardware using the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI. For other helpful videos go to http://hp.com/supportvideos or http://youtube.com/hpcomputingsupport. More support options for your computing device are ...
7 REPLIES 7
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Hello @Habfan10

 

Thank you for posting in the HP Support forum. Welcome!

 

The issue you experience is known as blue screen of death (BSOD) and can be caused by hardware or software problem. In your case most likely of software problem.

 

If you purchased this PC about a year ago, most likely you have Windows 10 and not Vista. Vista is an old operating system rarely used anymore and not supported.

 

** Could you confirm with me your full HP product model and product number (p/n). Here is how to get this info and post it back here >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00033108

 

 

 

As a standard precaution, I ask you to perform some basic hardware checks to rule out a hardware issue

 

 

1. Please, shutdown the computer using the power button (pressed and hold for a few seconds until PC powers off)

2. Power the computer back on.

2.1 As soon as you press the power-on button, immediately begin hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap) before any logo appears. This should open a HP Startup Menu

 

3. Choose F2 to open System Diagnostics. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform diagnostics.

This will check major hardware componets for issue (do it just in case) . Here is more info >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JXUp43ahHA

 

If there are no system checks/no quick tests, perform both HDD (hard disk drive) and RAM check (memory check).

 

Let me know the test results.

 

Your FEEDBACK is important. Use the interactive buttons below and let me know if the post helps ;
*** HP employee *** I express personal opinion only *** Joined the Community in 2013
This video has been updated: https://youtu.be/14GKIpGPNRM Learn how to test your HP computer hardware using the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI. For other helpful videos go to http://hp.com/supportvideos or http://youtube.com/hpcomputingsupport. More support options for your computing device are ...
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Sounds like a good plan...I'm gonna try it later today and get back to you...Thanks!!!!

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I ran quite a few tests in the system diagnostics portion and they all passed....I ran the system quick check, hard drive quick check, the memory quick check to name a few...

 

The BIOS setup looks like a possibility.....

 

Thanks

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HP Product info

 

product NO. G5T36AV

 

SERIAL: (removed content) 

 

MODEL: 15z-g100 rev:22CD-110

HP Recommended

OK,  Smiley Happy Thank you for letting me know. It's good you confirmed the start-up test passes - this is another confirmation that this is strictly Windows related problem. Hardware issue ruled out. Your problem is caused by Windows issue - boot configuration data is corrupted - this is part of Windows. Could have been corrupted by malware/virus attack, some unwanted installation/change or faulty Windows Update, for example.

 

 

Your PC originally comes with Windows 8 preinstalled based on my research.

There are 2 ways (paths) you can go with to fix the issue - official and unofficial.

 

The unofficial is slightly cheaper but may be more technically complicated, and there is no guarantee it will help 100%.

 

The official way involves reinstalling the operating system (performing HP Recovery) and turning the computer to factory default condition - restoring it to the day it was when purchased. The official way should fix your problem.

 

You can first try the unofficial one but if it does not work, please proceed to the official one (in a new post posted below).

 

The "unofficial" way :

 

You can use this free utility

>> https://www.heidoc.net/php/Windows%20ISO%20Downloader.exe

>> https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-and-office-iso-downl...

 

The tool can download ISO images from Microsoft and has lots of options for many Windows versions including OEM. If you use it, be careful to select the correct Windows 8.1 ISO for the OEM, x64 edition, Pro edition, etc...

 

original.png

 

 

Download the ISO file and save on Desktop (for example).

 

When download completes, you will need to write or "burn" the ISO image and boot from a bootable media.

You will need a blank USB thumbdrive (4 GB or bigger capacity)

 

** How to create bootable ISO on USB device >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

Instructions are for Ubuntu, but you need to use the ISO image of Windows. Use the Windows ISO and Rufus (3rd tool you will need)

 Write FAT32 file system, MBR for BIOS/UEFI

 

 

When ready with the USB drive or with the DVD:

 

Please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Windows USB thumdrive or the DVD prepared previously

Power  on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, keep hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

 

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the thumb drive or the DVD as a boot option.

 

Follow the on-screen instructions to boot to Windows 7.

 

** Do NOT** proceed to reinstall Windows. When the screen loads, select your language and choose "Repair your computer"

It should detect your Windows 8 installation

 

Reference instructions >> https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/start-the-windows-7-recovery-environment/

 

1. Try to Select the option to run automatic repair

If it says it fixed things, restart the PC and see if your PC can now boot fine

 

If things are well, you are done.

 

3. If not, please, boot again (F9) from the Windows 8 USB, load  "Repair your computer" and open Command Prompt (CMD)

 

Reference instuctions (For W10 but similar with W8) >> https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/32523/how-to-manually-repair-windows-7-boot-loader-problems/

 

Type  

bootrec /fixmbr

and press [ENTER].  When ready, type

 

bootrec /fixboot

and press [ENTER].

 

When ready, close the CMD prompt (windows) and restart your computer.

 

 

Hopefully, PC should eventually boot to Desktop.

 

 

 Let me know how it goes and if this helps.

If this doesn't help, proceed to next step (offical instructions)

Your FEEDBACK is important. Use the interactive buttons below and let me know if the post helps ;
*** HP employee *** I express personal opinion only *** Joined the Community in 2013
HP Recommended

The official procedure involves reinstalling the operating system (performing HP Recovery which removes everything from your entire HDD, all files and data, and restores the PC to factory default condition).

 

Note, that if you decide to go this route and if you want to attempt to back up your personal files, I might post additional instructions for you (below)

 

Based on the provided information, your recovery kit for your PC model is this one >> http://www.computersurgeons.com/p-24604-windows-81-64-bit-recovery-kit-756075-002-for-hp-pavilion-no...

 

You will need to use this kit (these DVDs) to boot from them and reinstall Windows. You can purchase the kit from ComputerSurgeons - reputable company which provides original HP Recovery Media.

 

Once you receive the kit, boot from the 1st DVD from the set.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

 

The entire official procedure is described here >> http://hp.dezide.com/ts/start.jsp?guide=HPSystemRecovery.net&section=ccweb&sfs=tdoc&lc=en&language=e...

 

 

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes

Your FEEDBACK is important. Use the interactive buttons below and let me know if the post helps ;
*** HP employee *** I express personal opinion only *** Joined the Community in 2013
HP Recommended

all went well with the unofficial way until, after creating the disc and such, upon hitting the 'repair your computer' button, it took me to an options screen, where I could 'repair my pc' without losing any files, which is what I want to do.  when I  hit it, It told me my windows was locked. my only option there was cancel, which I did. it took me to a troubleshoot option, where I selected a couple of repair type options, where ultimately, I got to one which was repair windows, which I did, and after a while, IT WORKED! iT FIXED MY MACHINE!!!! THANKS!!!!

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