Pre-installed W7 recovery

[sam9151]

Windows installed updates and was rebooting when it booted to linux mint 17. A previous linux update may have broken /etc/default/grub .... it was set up to make the last os booted the default. I fixed that and tried to boot back to windows 7 from grub. That process failed, I don't know why. The laptop was frozen somewhere in the W7 boot process. I let it sit there for about 1 hour. Linux will still boot from the grub menu.

 I tried to repair my pe-installed W7 installation from a W7 install CD that I have for another machine, no good. I could only have 4 partitions when I dual booted with Linux so the recovery partition had to go. I'm pretty sure  I made a recovery CD before I began the process of dual booting with Linux. Now of course I can't find it.

So how can I recover my W7 installation. I tried looking for a way to make recoveery media on HP support web site but I'm not finding it

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

HP no longer sells recovery media for the g6 model series.

You may still be able to order a kit from this non-HP vendor at the link below.

http://www.computersurgeons.com/

You will need to enter your specific model number to get the right set, as they are model-specific.

If you can still read all 25 characters of the W7 product key on your PC's case, and the W7 disk you tried the repair with is the same version of W7 the key is good for, you can probably just use that to install W7.

[sam9151]

Thanks for your quick response. If I found the right one on the website you mentioned it's $27.00. At this point I have nothing to lose so will try the re-install with my W7 CD. I will then take the opportunity to upgrade Linux assuming the W7 re-install works.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You can also make your own plain W7 installation media...

Click on the Windows ISO Downloader.exe link to download the tool to create the W7 ISO file download.

Select the W7 COEM ISO file download version for the product key the OS is good for, which is the OEM operating system ISO file.

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

I have zipped up and attached the Microsoft utility below, that will allow you to either put the file on a USB flash drive or burn it to a DVD.

Then you can install the drivers and available software you need from your PC's support page.

If the Microsoft tool doesn't work to burn a DVD, use this free DVD burning software to burn the ISO file to a DVD.

 Select the "Burn ISO file option."

https://cdburnerxp.se/en/download

[sam9151]

Thanks, I got W7 to install using the W7 OEM system builder pack I had ....... I can't seem to find 2 drivers I need

Network controller hardware ID
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8176&SUBSYS_1629103C&REV_01
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8176&SUBSYS_1629103C
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8176&CC_028000
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8176&CC_0280

SM bus controller hardware ID
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&SUBSYS_1695103C&REV_05
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&SUBSYS_1695103C
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&CC_0C0500
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&CC_0C05

Thanks if you can help, I didn't find anything on HP support website

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

You need these drivers for those devices...

PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8176

This package contains the driver installation package for the Realtek RTL8188CE wireless LAN Controller in the supported notebook models running a supported operating system.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp57001-57500/sp57049.exe

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22:   NOTE:  Install this driver first, and restart the PC.

This package contains the Intel Chipset Installation Utility for supported notebooks with supported operating systems. This utility enables the operating system to show the correct name for the installed Intel hardware in the Microsoft Windows Device Manager.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp55001-55500/sp55095.exe

[sam9151]

OK, thanks so much. No question marks in device manager.

Now on to shrink windows 7 partition from Disk Management and install Linux Mint 18.03 alongside

windows. If I recall this was fairly straightforward for MBR disks.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.