Recovery disks for Dm4 windows 7 after crashed hard disk

[dhouck]

My hard disk failed.  I want to restore Windows 7 to the computer with the new hard drive.  Can I get disks or USB drive versions from another computer?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Recovery disks/flash drives, etc., from another HP notebook won't work on yours.

If you can still read all 25 characters of the W7 product key on the sticker on your notebook's case, you can visit this website and make your own plain W7 64 bit installation media.

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool

Click on the link labeled Windows ISO Downloader.exe

You can select the version your notebook has (such as Home Premium 64 bit).

You can use the product key on either the retail download or the COEM download.

The N versions are for the Europen Union countries, and the K versions are for the Korean market.

Then you can burn the ISO file you download to a DVD by using the Burn ISO file option on your favorite DVD burning program.  Burn the DVD at the slowest speed you can for best results.

Or you can use this tool to transfer the ISO file to a DVD or 4 GB USB flash drive.  This tool will make either media bootable.

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

If you cannot read all 25 characters of the W7 product key on your notebook's case, your only option would be to order recovery disks for the specific product number of your DM4.

[dhouck]

Thank you for the help.  I went through those steps.  However, the dvd/usb tool can't 'find' the iso file.  I downloaded the win 7 file but it sets up as an .isoarchive file and I can't seem to get it to extact any other way.   Help?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

When I download W7 64Pro 64 bit file for example, it downloads as a 3.09 GB ISO file.

Then I just burn the file to a DVD using my DVD burning program.  You do not click on or run the file.  You just save it and burn it as it is.

Since I cannot replicate the problem you are experiencing, unfortunately I wouldn't be able to help you with what is happening.

[dhouck]

Paul,  Thanks again for the help.  I think I better head for some hands on support.   I did write the file to the dvd but when I put it in and started the BIOS program it said 'no bootable device'.  Which puts me in a not sure what to do next mode.

Thanks,

Doug

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Dog.

So, let's recap.

You did get an ISO file to download...somewhere in the order of 3 GB, correct?

You burned the ISO file to a DVD using the Burn ISO option in your DVD burning program, correct?

You cannot copy the file like you do a data file or music file, or the DVD won't boot. 

It has to be burned to the DVD using the Burn ISO option.

If you are unsure of how you burned the DVD, let me know, and I will post the link to a free DVD burning program which clearly shows the Burn ISO file menu.

If you know you have done the above steps, then in order to boot from a DVD, with the DVD in the drive, start the PC, and at the beginning of the HP welcome screen, tap the ESC key to get a menu of options.

Select the F9 boot options menu and from there, select the DVD drive and hit the enter key.

If you made the DVD correctly, you should see a message on the screen ...Attempting to boot from DVD...press any key to boot from DVD.

[dhouck]

Paul,  

Yes I did those things but did not see the 'burn as ISO file" choice.  I'll look again and check for that option.  When I open the file up on the DVD it is listed as  .isoarchive 

It is 3.09 gb in size.

Doug

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Sounds to me like you didn't burn the DVD correctly.

Install this free DVD burning program.  I use it all the time...

Click on the More Download Options and download the version without open candy.

https://www.cdburnerxp.se/en/download

After you install the software you will have a very user friendly menu.

Data Disk

Video DVD

Audio Disk

Burn ISO Image (This is the one you want to select)

Copy or Grab Disk

Erase Disk

Click on Burn ISO image, then click OK.

Then browse to the ISO file you downloaded and select the slowest burn speed you can from the menu.

[dhouck]

Alright, I'll let you know how it goes.

Doug

[dhouck]

Paul,  That worked.  It is opening and installing Win 7, so far, smoothly.

Doug