cannot change boot sequence on a hp probook 4530s

[Jane500]

I'm having an "imminent hard drive failure" warning.  I'm trying to determine if I can replace the hard drive myself AND re-install Windows 7.   I can't seem to access the BIOS to check where it is set to boot from either.  I get a DOS-like screen and my only options are F2 or <enter>(to start normally).  F2 takes me into HP Smart Check.  When I tab down to BIOS Management, my only option is to roll back the BIOS.  I have no way to check the drive boot order.  So disappointed in this HP laptop and the lack of on-line support.  Spent two days now searching for answers.  $800 plus for nothing but problems and no way to fix.  I can't even find coherent instructions on how to reinstall Windows 7 on a new hard drive even though I apparently wasted money creating a recovery disk.   Already paid to have the motherboard replaced.  Junk!  Meanwhile, my 20 yr. old Sony Vaio keeps chugging along and I HAVE the OS!

[CF4]

Hi

If you have made the Recovery Media and have appropriate backups, then I suggest Belarc Adviser and print off the information it produces.

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/product/HP-ProBook-4530s-Notebook-PC/5060880

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03054480     Page 52.

If in doubt please ask.

[Jane500]

I had already done that  .  The product key is different than the label and lists two.  I tried all three (two from Belarc, one from label) on MS's site and none work.  Link to manual doesn't work.

[CF4 · Accepted solution]

Hi

You say you have the Recovery Media.  The Belarc Advisor prints out licences for Office, Windows, etc etc.

You cannot download a W7 from Microsoft without a NON OEM licence, but you have a licence printed out from Belarc and a Recovery Media already made "creating a recovery disk".

So all you need is a New HDD and an install method.

That is usually ESC + F9 and select the Boot device without changing the boot sequence.

https://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/

If in doubt please ask.

[Jane500]

Esc + F9, that's the one!!!!  (5 days I've been looking for this solution!  Thank you!)

So,

Step 1:  Order new hard drive at least as big as the one I have.  (Can't go smaller because of partitions in Recovery disks.)

Step 2:  Change BIOS (using esc+F9), to boot from dvd/cd drive

Step 3:  Remove and replace hard drive

Step 4: Restart computer with Recovery Disks (no need for product key)

Have I got that right?

Update:  Only works sometimes.  Tried 4 more times, but I could not tell you why it sometimes works and other times doesn't.  Hoping it gets fixed when I install my new hard drive.  I was able to set it to boot from the dvd/CD drive first.  Does it even matter?

[CF4]

Hi

No.

You need a Licence for Windows 7, the one printed out by Belarc Advisor.

Otherwise it seems correct.