Recovery disk

[Joel14]

My laptop's hard drive died and I had it replaced. I ordered a system recovery disk from HP, cost $51. I was surprised it wasn't free. So now what? The computer won't recognize it. The computer won't boot. HP tech support told me to get lost. I kind of think it was just a con to get $51. if I could get my $51 back, I'd consider that a victory. I'd just use the Envy as a door stop. However, if someone knows how to get the computer going again, that would work too. I think it's pretty obvious that this recovery disk was not what they said it was. Tech support told me I no longer had a license to use Windows. I don't know what that was all about since the computer came with Windows.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

What is the full model number or product number of your notebook?

The product number can be found on the same label as the serial number.

Do not post the serial number.

You can also use this guide for how to find your notebook's model number...

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00033108

[Joel14]

Thanks Paul. The Model Number is  15t-ae000.

Joel

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Joel.

First of all, whoever told you that the Windows license is no good anymore is incorrect. 

If your notebook came with W8.1 or W10, the Windows product key is in the BIOS, and you should be able to reinstall Windows as many times as you need to.

Since your notebook is a configured to order model, there is no information regarding the operating system it originally came with.

If the PC does not recognize the bootable recovery flash drive, go into the BIOS, enable legacy mode and disable secure boot.

See this guide for the BIOS settings to change.

https://www.support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03736054/

After you change the BIOS settings, have the recovery media in the PC, restart it, and tap the ESC key at the beginning of the HP welcome screen to get the menu of options.

Select the F9 boot options, menu, and from that, select the USB flash drive.

Press the enter key and watch the screen for further instructions.   The PC should want to boot from the flash drive.

If for some reason, the recovery media still doesn't work, I need to know one more bit of information before I suggest a possible workaround...

Did your notebook originally come with W8.1 or W10, or did you upgrade from W8.1 to W10?

[Joel14]

The boot option menu is empty, nothing to select. I'm not sure if it came with Windows 7 or 8 but it was not upgraded to 10.

Joel

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Joel:

Something is not right.

There should be a list of devices you can boot from...hard drive, DVD drive (if your notebook has one), and a USB flash drive.

That would explain why you can't boot from the recovery media.

They should definitely be listed if you enabled legacy mode and disabled secure boot in the BIOS.

Is there a label on the HP recovery media indicating what operating system its good for?

[Joel14]

I did not enable Legacy. Having done that now I have

Boot from EFI file

Notebook Hard Drive

Hitting Enter on Boot from EFI file takes me to empty screen called File Explorer

Turning off and then on gives me 'No bootable device' message

Joel

[Paul_Tikkanen]

That is weird.

It should be showing an option to boot from a USB device and a DVD (if your notebook has one).

When you go into the F10 BIOS setup menu, what bootable devices are listed in there?

Have the HP recovery media in the USB port.

Did you find out what operating system the recovery media is for?

[Joel14]

The recovery media says Windows 8.1.  In Bios it says Factory Installed OS WIn8.1 so I guess we're good there.

In boot options, there are two lists. I assume we are using the Legacy list.

UEFI Boot Order

OS boot Manager

Internal CD/DVD ROM Drive

USB DIskette on Key/USB hard Disk

USB CD/DVD ROM drive

! Network Adapter

Legacy Boot Order

USB Diskette on Key/USB Hard Disk (I actually moved this to the top.)

> Notebook Hard Drive

Internal CD/DVD ROM Drive

USB CD/DVD ROM Drive

! Network Adaptor

[Paul_Tikkanen]

OK

To cover the bases, move the USB DIskette on Key/USB hard Disk to the top on the UEFI boot order list.

Plug it in and see if the darn thing will boot from the flash drive.