RECOVERY PARTITION

[mashumiclarence]

Hi

I want to set my Recovery partition as active using Disk Management but when I right click on the partition only the help "option" appears.. Please help

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @mashumiclarence

Welcome ! Thank you for posting in the HP Support forum.

You cannot and should not manipulate the HP Recovery partition (not with the standard means). This partition should stay there and can be used for operating system recovery purposes. This is the reason it is "locked" from the standard means and cannot be changed this way.

[mashumiclarence]

Thank you for responding, but the HP Recovery Manager doesn't spar on HP utility center and I wish to restore my PC to it's factory setting .

[mashumiclarence]

doesn't appear*

[IT_WinSec]

Do you use Windows 8.1  now (and before) ?

How about boot from the recovery partition (F11 method) ?

- Please, shutdown the computer using the power button (pressed and hold for a few seconds until PC powers off)

- Power the computer back on.

As soon as you press the power-on button, immediately begin hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap) before any logo appears. This should open a HP Startup Menu

- Choose/press  F11 for System Recovery options.

Follow the on-screen instructions

- >> http://hp.dezide.com/ts/start.jsp?guide=HPSystemRecovery.net&section=ccweb&sfs=tdoc&lc=en&language=e...

[mashumiclarence]

Yes, I was using Windows 8.1 before, but I upgraded to Windows 10. However after the upgrade certain buttons no longer worked I could no longer adjust screen brightness or volume, so I downloaded Windows 8.1 and installed it.
-Since then the HP Recovery Manager isn't available but the Recovery partition was left untouched and still has all of it's contents..

[IT_WinSec · Accepted solution]

What you describe makes be think the recovery partition has gone corrupted.

It's common problem when upgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 10 to have the recovery partition corrupted. Also, after reinstalling back Windows 8.1, something may have gone wrong.

If the F11 method does not work, the partition is gone.

There are 3 ways to restore the PC to factory default condition:

- Official - use your own recovery media (DVDs or USB drive) - I think you don't have it

- Official - use HP supplied recovery media (DVDs or USB drive) - costs about 30 USB or 40 pounds

- Unofficial- reinstall Windows and perform clean installation

If you provide me with your full HP product number and model I may be able to provide you with option for HP Supplied recovery media. It can be used to install Windows, drivers, preinstalled apps, etc.

Here is the unofficial one - it is free of charge but may be slightly more difficult from technical point of view.

OK,

1. Download ProduKey from Nirsoft >> http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

x86 Windows >> http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/produkey.zip

x64 Windows >> http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/produkey-x64.zip

Extract the archive and run the program.

It will open and show you the available keys it detects. Does it detect your BIOS and Windows key(s) ? Does it says Windows version ?  Take a picture of the codes and write them down. Do not post them here, just keep them for yourself.

2. You can use this free utility from Heidoc

>> https://www.heidoc.net/php/Windows%20ISO%20Downloader.exe

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

Download and run the tool. It can download ISO images from Microsoft and has lots of options for many Windows versions including OEM. If you use it, be careful to select the correct Windows ISO for the OEM, x86 or x64 edition, Home/Pro/Ultimate, etc... Downloads are big, ensure stable Internet connection.

Download the appropriate ISO image for :

• OEM
• Windows 8.1
• Windows Home or Pro edition (based on your license)

3. When download completes, you will need to write or "burn" the ISO image and boot from a bootable media.

** How to create bootable ISO on USB device >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

or

** How to write ISO to DVD >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/burn-a-dvd-on-windows

 instructions are for Ubuntu, but you need to use the ISO image of Windows. Use the Windows ISO and Rufus (3rd tool you will need)

 Write FAT32 file system, MBR for BIOS/UEFI

4. When ready with the USB drive or with the DVD:

Please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Windows USB (or DVD) prepared previously

Power on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, start hitting the Esc button repeatedly (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the USB thumb drive as a boot option.

- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows. Perform clean installation/custom installation (not repair).

Delete all existing partitions and install Windows on Disc 0 Unallocated space

- After successful Windows installation, install drivers taken from HP web site or via Windows Update/Device Manager >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03330139

- Make sure Windows is Activated by going to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Activation

If asked, enter your product key (BIOS key) which you extracted from Nirsoft's ProduKey tool.

Let me know if this helps. Provide your feedback and let me know if you face difficulties.

Take a backup of your files/data before the procedure.