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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
- Repair/reset

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11-08-2019 07:52 PM
I am having a problem with my laptop. As soon as I press the power button a message pops up saying preparing automatic repair then goes to attempting repair. It stays there for hours and goes no further. I have tried pressing esc on startup and resetting my laptop erasing everything and it stops after about 5 minutes saying it can’t be completed.
11-09-2019 03:09 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
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).
From 2016 onwards there is a possible recovery option via the cloud...
HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool (Windows 7 & 10)
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06162205
OR
This First part only works when a valid Recovery Partition is enabled.
If it displays an error message then move onto the Second part,
OR if you have data you wish to try and save using the XCOPY command.
Then create your own Repair/Recovery/Rebuild/Re-install media or buy a set from HP.
Turn off the computer.
Disconnect all connected devices and cables, Media Drives, USB drives, printers, & faxes.
Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware.
Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power cord.
Turn on the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key, about once every second,
until the Choose an option screen is displayed, and then continue.
On the Choose an Option screen, click Troubleshoot, and work your way through the screens.
Second Part:-
This may require another PC. Find and Download your .iso from…
W10 should activate automagically from the embedded licence key.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Expand/Extract/Burn the iso Image onto a DVD/USB as needed.
Microsoft’s Creator Tool will make the required DVD or USB.
Even though it has NO actual HP software/drivers included, you may be able to
XCOPY the C:\Users\* area onto a ‘large’ USB stick, via the Command Prompt.
You’ll need to try various drive letters; D:..-..Z: until it’s matched - could be G; mine’s S:
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
Then you can try System Recovery Options / Advanced Options shown in the screenshots.
NB: - W10 Begin with the Automatic Repair, then Startup Settings etc.
From either the C:\ or the X:\ prompt try the following
cd boot
bootrec /FixMBR
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /RebuildBCD
If the above FAILS then please try:-
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb