Full reformat using factory discs

[Dodge_Dude]

Employing an alternative W7 OS installation, Quite some time ago, I ditched the factory supplied OS and all its bloatware.
I recently decided to give someone the laptop. There's nothing wrong with the hardware. When I run the factory supplied discs, at the end it says the recovery failed. I don't know why. This laptop has never been dropped or abused. I tested the HDD. There's nothing wrong with it.

[CherylG]

Unfortunately, problems like that happen with Recovery Discs more often than it should. Windows 7 recovery discs in particular and Windows 8 have both failed a lot. Can you not install the same Windows 7 version you have been using? The license key on bottom still legible?

[Dodge_Dude]

Thanks for the reply. I can. I did. Of course, that doesn't get to the root of the problem. I've been schooled in computer service / repair. except in the case of file corruption when downloading ISO's to burn discs, I've never experienced media failure. My HP recovery discs are in flawless condition. I believe the cause of the problem lies elsewhere. The HDD was wiped and tested as being error free. I know there was a "recovery partition" as delivered. Perhaps the recovery media is looking for the original formatting ?

[Dodge_Dude · Accepted solution]

Cheryl,

I did further research regarding the media failure issue.
I discovered my factory supplied media is designed to fail after a certain date.
I found the solution right here on the HP Support website. https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04433980
Although it may not have been necessary; In the BIOS, I made sure the laptop is set to default settings.
I set the clock to near the date I purchased the computer. In my case 05-31-2011.
Thereafter the installation was trouble free.
After determining the installation was working properly, I set the correct time and date.

[CherylG]

Not sure I understand "my factory supplied media is designed to fail after a certain date". 

Interesting that the BIOS date change worked for you. That article was published during the Windows 8 recovery disaster I believe and the list of models it applies to at the bottom doesn't include your DV6. No matter, all is well that ends well. Happy you are back up and running.

[Dodge_Dude]

Cheryl,
Per the linked HP Support thread, in my case; The factory supplied recovery disks won't work after 06/23/2014.
Which is why I had to set the time/date on my laptop to a time/date earlier than 06/23/2014. If this "expiration date" had not been coded to the recovery media, there would have been no need to change the date/time in the BIOS. My alternative Windows media doesn't do this. Click on the link I previously included and see for yourself.
06/23/2014 is referenced in the linked support thread. 

"Temporarily fix the problem by changing the date in the BIOS"

"Before performing a recovery, change the date in the computers BIOS to a date earlier than 06/23/2014".

P.S.
It should not be assumed the list of affected models referenced in the link is complete.