HP Envy 4-1109TX - Format and re-installing Windows

[JMF2017]

Hello community,

My ultrabook got infected by a nasty Virus/Trojan/Worm.

When the computer was bought, Windows 8 was already installed in it.

I do not have any CD/DVD/Media with an ISO of the OS or any documentation, just the PC.

I do not have any anti-virus installed on the PC.

I would like to format hard drive and re-install Windows from scratch (with and anti-virus!).

Questions:

- Will that get rid of my problem?

- Could I install Windows 7 instead?

- What is the procedure to format and re-install operative system?

Comment:

I tried to use the F11 option when booting the computer and get in to the System Troubleshoot / Reset PC .

After trying the above, a message on the screen said, "couldnt find hard drive partition"

Please help!

[WAWood]

@JMF2017

Hello;

Allow me to welcome you to the HP forums!

Let met try to answer your questions:

1) Formatting the drive -- You should use HP Recovery Media to restore your PC to its original condition.  That will reformat the drive automatically (so you don't have to do it),

2) Installing Win7 -- I would not recommend it.  Even though HP does have Win7 drivers for your PC, the product code that came with your PC is for the original OS version; thus, you would have to PURCHASE a license to use Win7.

3) Procedure:  That is documented below -- after the information about recovery media.

HP Recovery Media is a set of DVDs and a CD, or USB stick, that will erase the hard drive (removing all data, settings, and applications, reinstall the original OS, drivers, and some HP Utilities. In some cases, you may be able to order a USB stick instead of disks. You have to order these from HP; they can not be downloaded.

You can look online for Recovery Media starting with the linked paged: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

Once there, input your Product name or number. On your Software and Drivers Download page, select your Operating System and and Version. Click "Update". If HP Recovery Media is available for your machine, down near the bottom of the page, you will see an entry for Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB. Click the "+" symbol to expand that entry and click on Order Media for details.

Or, if you prefer, you can do the same by contacting HP Customer Service:

If you live in the US or Canada, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/phone-assist.html#section1

If you live elsewhere, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-contact-us.html

NOTE: After you get through, stay on the line until you are finally able to talk to some one -- it can take a while!

If you have trouble finding a phone number, then try: 1 (800) 474-6836

If HP no longer provides Recovery Media for your model, a couple of other sites you can check are: http://www.computersurgeons.com/ and http://www.restoredisks.com/

Once you have the media, read through this: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00006110

Good Luck

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @JMF2017 :

I do not see that HP carries recovery disks for your notebook.

However, if it came with W8, you can download a plain W8 OEM ISO file from the link below and clean install W8.

The product key in your notebook's BIOS should work with this file.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0W9PBigPy94aVJWSndyTFNFMzg/edit?pli=1

Then you can use this tool to transfer the file you downloaded to a 4 GB USB flash drive or DVD.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

If you are installing W7 from a USB flash drive, you must boot it from the PC's USB 2 port.

It won't boot from a USB 3 port.

[JMF2017]

Thank you very much for your answer and help!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[JMF2017]

Paul, how can I find the notebook BIOS product key ?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I have zipped up and attached a program that will allow you to read the product key in the BIOS.

It will also tell you what version of W8 the key is good for.

[JMF2017]

Much appreciated Paul!

I will engage my self in to the unknown and format / re-install W8 on my laptop.

 What I will do:

1 - Download the ISO for W8 as pointed on your message earlier

2 - Use the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool in order to transfer it to a USB stick, as per your message.

3 - Follow instruction here: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00006110 to format and re-install W8 as pointed by WAWood.

Questions:

1- If I connect an external hard drive to my infected laptop before doing the procedure above in order to create a back-up. WIll the back up get infected? What is the best way to generate a back up with the laptop infected?

2 - Do I need any other tool or information to proceed with the above?

Again, thank you very much.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

if you back up the whole system, you will also back up the viruses.

I suggest you only copy your pictures, music, document files to the hard drive, and forget everything else.

Those probably are not infected but you can always run a virus scan after you copy them.

All you need is the W8 ISO file and the USB/DVD tool to get the file to boot from a flash drive or DVD.

Then reinstall the drivers and available software from your PC's support page.

[JMF2017]

Thanks heaps.