Factory restore EliteBook 8730w (Mobile Workstation)

[ChrisBedford]

Does anyone know if there is a recovery partition on the 8730w by default?

I have a machine from a fired employee, no-one knows the user logon, there doesn't seem to be an admin user, the hdd has a special SATA native mode driver so I can't boot with a linux emergency boot disc to brick it... there is no "user with HP Spare Key" (whatever that is or was).

F11 doesn't boot to a factory restore partition and there is no boot menu option for factory restore (Press Esc at boot up and the options are: F1 - System Information; F2 - Diagnostics; F3 - Initiate Intel CIRA - what's *that*?!; F7 - HP SpareKey; F9 - boot device options; F12 - Network Boot; Enter - Continue Startup)
 

All quite sad, really

PLEASE don't tell me I have to find the disk(s) that came with the machine because that ain't gonna happen!

Chris

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, Chris:

Just order a new set of recovery disks by calling HP at 1-800-334-5144.  You will need to provide the model # and serial #.

Cost is $10.

If F11 doesn't work, then the recovery partition is either gone or defective.

You can also make your own W7 or Vista installation disk, and reinstall that way if you can read the 25 character MS Vista or W7 product key on the bottom of the notebook.

If you want to go that route, please let me know what OS you are running and I will give you the directions to install as you need to do different procedures for Vista or W7.

Paul

[ChrisBedford]

Prompt reply! I'm impressed.

The machine has a Vista COA underneath (readable, yes), BUT it's installed with XP - assume it was downgraded at purchase time - and that is the OS of choice.

The hard way would be to download the drivers - all of them - from HP's support site, and slipstream the SATA ones into a Windows install boot disk... done it before, but time-sonsuming and tedious. If you have a better way I'd be even more impressed!

Chris

Oh - P.S. I found the local administrator password, so I can run something like Belarc Advisor to find the current WinXP licence key. There is no restore partition, doesn't look like there ever was.

[ChrisBedford]

Ahh - re-reading your reply, I think we are talking about the same procedure, i.e. incorporating the HDD drivers into a Windows install disk. OK, if thats the way to do it then that's the way I'll do it! Into every life some tedium must fall 😉

BTW I'm not in the US so that 1-800 no won't work for me - is there another number, or a URL where I can place that order? Are they likely to ship offshore? In the past I have tried my "local" call centre (yeah we go through to India too) and had little or no luck getting disks from them - they usually tell me to take machines to the local authorised repair centre, who charge (a LOT) more than $10 to do the re-image for you and you still don't have a set of disks afterward.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Unfortunately, there are no XP files available for download (only Vista or W7), so you will need to order recovery disks from HP for the country you live in at the link below.  Call the number for business PC's/notebooks.

http://welcome.hp.com/country/w1/en/support.html

The XP recovery disk from HP will have the necessary AHCI drivers installed, so there will be no need for any special action on your part.

If you have an XP disk and you need assistance getting XP to install, there are 3 ways to get XP on that notebook.

1. Slipstream the drivers.

2. Change the SATA Emulation Mode in the BIOS  from AHCI to IDE, install XP and then load the AHCI driver afterward so you can change the setting back to the default and preferred AHCI mode so the drive can take advantage of NCQ (Native Command Queuing).

3. Add the specific AHCI driver at the F6 prompt using a USB floppy disk drive and floppy disk.

Just let me know if you need that assistance.

Paul

[waynessr]

I have the 25 caracter vista product code can you give me directions to reset to factory .........Thankyou

[ramani94]

Same problem
I have used window 7, what should i do?