Windows 7 fails to boot and HP recovery manager not loading

[Jayandclare]

Hi Everyone.  I’m having trouble booting up my old laptop. I get the error message Windows fails to start and the option to launch start up repair Which just turns the screen blue (I’ve left for a day on numerous attempts). I also get the option to start windows normally but it’s immediately back to the windows fails to start again. I can access the boot menu but the same happens in safe mode. Again I can access all test screens and the bios by pressing the F keys. I get the HP recovery manager (repeating pressing the F11 key) so that I can attempt a restore. It just defaults to the windows repair launch which doesn’t appear to be working. All memory and disks tests pass. Any ideas please?

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi

Ideas?  Yes, even sensible ones.

Could the CMOS/RTC battery have failed, and the BIOS defaults do not see the correct config to boot?

ESC + F9 and select whatever seems most apropriate.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @Jayandclare 

It sounds to me like the recovery manager system isn't working.

If you can still read all 25 characters of the W7 Home Premium product key on the PC's case, would be to make your own W7 64 bit installation media from the link below.  The download for the 64 bit media is toward the bottom of the webpage.

https://getintopc.com/softwares/operating-systems/windows-7-home-premium-free-download-iso-32-bit-64...

I have zipped up and attached the Microsoft utility you can use that will transfer the ISO file to a USB flash drive or DVD. so that it is bootable.

After W7 installs, you can install the drivers and available software from your PC's support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-G61-Notebook-PC-series/3873837/model/4066816

[Jayandclare]

Hi Paul, and thanks for your reply and advice, I think what you say is what is happening. Sadly I can’t read the normal sticker for product key but there is another one inside the battery compartment starting with PCID number. I may have written the code down at home which I can check when I get there (away working for another week). If I do manage to get it, how could I tell if I need 32 or 64 bit please? If I download this would I need to restore my laptop to an earlier date to access my things on the drive, or does it not alter this. If this fails I can’t really be upset this laptop is over 8 years old and it’s been used! It’s a great advertisement for HP!

[Jayandclare]

Thanks for your reply, sadly no change in starting up. As Paul says it does appear the recovery manager isn’t working. I’ve had this problem before and it worked then. But I like your thinking as I did have a battery error warning last week before it dumped!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

If the 25 character product key on the Microsoft W7 label is worn off, unfortunately unless you wrote it down somewhere, you won't be able to reinstall W7 that way without the key.

You need W7 64 bit according to the product specs for your model.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c01956331

Now, you can make the installation disk, boot from it, and instead of installing Windows, on the bottom left side of the window on the Install Now screen, there is a 'Repair your computer' option.

You can try the various options in that menu.

If you need to recover files on the drive, then if you go to install windows, do not delete or format any partitions.

Just let W7 install over the current windows installation and it will create a windows.old folder.

Then after W7 installs, you can explore the windows.old folder, find your old user profile, and copy and paste the files you want to save to the new installation, or a portable hard drive.

Neither HP, nor their e-Partner in the UK, sells recovery media for that model PC anymore.

https://www.best2serve.com/en-gb/page/rcd_hardware_related_products/#point

[Jayandclare]

Hi Paul,

I got home from my working away and found a recovery disk i had made years ok. Booted from it right up to the language option then again nothing except a blue screen. I tried and luckily everything is backed up. Even the cheapest HP laptop is far superior to my old one so its time for me to look at a new one. Just want  to say a big Thank you for your suggestions and help. Keep up the good work 👍

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Sorry that nothing I suggested was able to work for you.