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×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
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- HP Community
- Notebooks
- Notebook Operating System and Recovery
- Re: Incomplete Recovery

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11-23-2019 03:35 AM
Hi
First:- Turn off the computer, press and hold the PWR button for 4 seconds.
Then - Leave only keyboard and mouse connected, disconnect all externally connected
devices such as Docking Station, USB storage devices, displays, and printers.
Unplug the AC adapter from the computer.
Next - Press and Hold the Power button for 15 seconds to Hard Reset.
Rinse and Repeat; Re-Connect the AC adapter.
NOW begin checking/testing/proving the Hardware is fit for purpose.
Power on your PC, press ESC (repeatedly), then F2 at the prompt.
Choose System Tests (Fast Test does a 4 minute hardware check).
11-23-2019 07:42 AM - edited 11-23-2019 07:42 AM
Hi, @Winang2010
If the above steps suggested by Lil_Boy_Blue do not resolve the problem, you may have two other options...
You will need to have access to another working Windows PC for either of these options.
Use the HP Cloud Recovery client utility to create a bootable USB recovery drive to reinstall W10.
Here is an info link for how to use the utility. You will need to have access to another working Windows PC.
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06162205
Your other option would be to clean install W10 by creating a bootable W10 installation flash drive using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool at the link below...
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
After W10 has completed installing, you can install the drivers and available software from your notebook's support page.
https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-15-ay000-notebook-pc-series/10862300
11-23-2019 10:08 AM - edited 11-23-2019 10:09 AM
You're very welcome.
You won't be able to retrieve any files using the first approach, but if you use the second approach, when you are asked 'Where do you want to install Windows,' you install it over the current windows installation and it will create a Windows.old folder.
After W10 installs you can explore the windows.old folder, find your old user profile and copy and files you need from the old profile to the new one.
I usually just copy all of the folders from my old profile to the new one (Documents, Music, Downloads, Videos, etc.).
11-24-2019 04:53 AM - edited 11-24-2019 05:04 AM
Hi
To retrieve data, not using the W10 method
From 2016 onwards there is a possible recovery option via the cloud...
C:\>XCOPY C:\Users\* S:\ /e /i /h (then files like those 3 listed below get copied over)
C:\Users\desktop.ini
C:\Users\All Users\agent.1509128044.bdinstall.bin
C:\Users\All Users\HP Deskjet 2540 series\Help\flash\zoom.swf
but making a DVD/USB, ESC and F9 to boot from it, of Lubuntu 19:10, and waiting several minutes for a desktop to appear, then being able to view the HDD, and hopefully Drag and Drop your data onto another USB (mine is showing as openSUSE) may be beneficial.
Hopefully a PNG is attached showing the possibility.
If in doubt please ask.