System restore

[bogart]

Full story as follows.

Daughters laptop was reporting that the HDD was about to fail, should backup and repair.

The concensus of opinion suggested a new HDD was the answer.

Have done that and created the restore disks from the original HDD.

Started the restore and went ok until nearly at the end of formatting the new HDD when I got the message

"error if it happens again contact HP" it did not happen again and appeared to restore files ok, did a verify and no errors.

Trying to boot from the HDD it now fails. Errors report registry incorrect plus others.

Cannot load my Vista version as is 64bit.

I cannot obviously send the errors to MS as the thing will not boot.

Any solutions obvious apart from getting a disk containing Vista 32 bit system

Laptop is an HP Presario running Vista HOme Premium 32

Thanks

 

[usasma]

Can you try to restore the system again using the recovery disks that you made?
Try these free, bootable hardware tests:

H/W Diagnostics:
Please start by running these bootable hardware diagnostics:
Memory Diagnostics (read the details at the link)
HD Diagnostic (read the details at the link)

Otherwise, contact HP in the UK for replacement disks.
Stress to them how you faithfully made the disks, stored them properly, treated them delicately, etc, etc, etc

Request that they send you Recovery Disks because of the failure of their recovery program.

FYI - in the USA it takes about 4 days to get them and costs about $20 (if they don't agree with your story that it's their fault).

 

[bogart]

Hi thanks for the reply. I believe the problem is caused by having replaced the original
80GB HDD with a new 160GB HDD and as the recovery disks were made from the original disk there may be partition problems. Plus I believe HP mark their HDD so the machine knows it has a 3rd party one installed.

All very naughty of HP.

 

[usasma]

We routinely replace 160 gB and smaller HDD's with 250 and 320 gB HDD's without any issues with the restore disks (at work).

HP does "tattoo" their BIOS so that you can't install the OS on another model - but they don't mark the HDD's (from what I've seen).

Also, there have been some problems with restore disks not being created correctly - so a set from HP may work better.

 

[bogart]

Hi

Well I may try to create another set of restore disks then. If they fail also I will get hold of HP and give them the sorry tale.

Thanks

 

[bogart]

Shocked by how much HP want for a recovery disk. Over £32 or 45$

For one DVD complete rip off. Especially as their idea of a recovery disk creation didn't
work.

Am wondering if I can just download a copy of Visat 32 bit and go from there, or have they some other propriety rubbish in there which will screw that up.

Robbers

 

[usasma]

The last time I ordered disks from them, it was $16 (US) for XP disks.
A friend did this research a couple of months ago: Order Recovery Discs (USA)

Looks like HP in the UK is trying to make a bit extra?

If you can get your hands on a Gateway or Dell copy of Vista Home Premium you'll be able to install it on your system (you must have an OEM version as your product key is for an OEM version).

The difference is that it won't have the extra programs (not a big deal to most people) or the drivers (is a big deal to most people). We can help walk you through the drivers - but you'll likely need another computer to download the network drivers so you can get it online.

 

[SIW2]

Hi Usasma, Are you sure about needing an oem dvd?

As far as I know, that is no longer the case with Vista and 7.

The key off the sticker on the side of the machine will work fine with any MS Vista install dvd - best to use one that has at least SP1 - if you can get hold of one with SP2 included - even better.

Worked perfectly for my friend and his brother - they both have ( UK ) DELL machines - clean install using the key off the side with a Retail dvd - instant activation ( didn't surprise me ).

What did surprise me was they didn't need any extra drivers.

Depending on the manufacturer , you may need to call them ( not ms ) to activate after using the key off the sticker.

 

[bogart]

Got a Dell reinstall disk of XP, suppose thats no good and I need the full thing ie OEM.

It's a pity my Vista disk is 64 bit

 

[SIW2]

LOL, I would lend you one of mine if you were round the corner

 

[usasma]

I haven't tried the OEM/Retail thing with Win7, but I seem to recall having issues with it when installing Vista (but haven't done that in a long while).

It can't hurt to try it tho', you'll find out soon enough if it won't let you activate.

 

[bogart]

Well if I get really desperate I'll pop over!

 

[bogart]

I haven't tried the OEM/Retail thing with Win7, but I seem to recall having issues with it when installing Vista (but haven't done that in a long while).

It can't hurt to try it tho', you'll find out soon enough if it won't let you activate.

As soon as I can dig up a full 32 bit copy I'll give it a go.

 

[bogart]

Just got myself a copy of the reinstallation disk ( Dell) for Vista Business 32 bit SP1

Do you think there is any chance of this working or is a reinstallation disk a waste
of time?

 

[SIW2]

Probably work fine.

It is a proper install dvd with all Vista editions on it.

The Dell PID is in there, so it will automatically install Business.

To have the choice of edition - e.g. Home Premium, copy and paste the entire dvd contents to the HD

You need to mount/apply the install.wim with imagex , delete the PID.txt from inside the sources folder, unmount/ capture.

Then you need to make a bootable .iso and burn it to dvd.

Pretty easy if you have done that kind of thing before and have the tools.

 

[bogart]

Sorry to be a pain but could you make the last comments more understandable to
somebody who doesn't ever do anything like this.
Thanks in advance.

 

[SIW2]

Check your PM.

If you want to have a go with the DELL dvd, here's how:

1. put the DELL dvd in your drive, rt click the dvdrive, select COPY.

Rt click your Hard Drive ( e.g. C) and PASTE. Takes 5-6mins to copy.

2. Open the "sources" folder , scroll down to PID.txt and Delete.

(Your main folder will probably be called Vista_32Business )





3. D/l this View attachment BootIsoMakerV2 (2).zip ( as always, rt click it, properties>unblock>apply>ok).

Unzip it and rt click and RUN AS ADMIN on Bootisomaker.cmd.

It asks you to browse to boot.wim - that is in the "sources" folder.

It then asks which bootsector you want , Enter V.

It will make a bootable .iso and even burn it dvd for you.

Pretty straightforward.

When you install using the new dvd you just made - it will ask you to enter your product key. Use the one from the sticker on the side of the machine - whatever Edition that is will be installed.

It may or may not activate . Some mfrs you need to ring them to activate if you use that key - others, it just activates no fuss.

 

[bogart]

One day I will get this sorted. Upon starting to do what has been suggested I now find that the DVD is playing up, constant accessing of the disk etc so it is basically useless.


So I've installed the new drive into a different laptop and loaded Vista Business on it there.
Now put the new HDD into the original HP laptop and it seems fine with the exception of one driver which it cannot find the software for. The device is just listed under other devices as an unknown device. Windows says it cannot find the correct software. I might get somewhere if I knew what device it is relating to.
Also wasn't asked for and COA key.

 

[bogart]

Sorted was something to do with the ACPI and battery anyway all looks fine. Daughter now had Business instead of Home Premium assume thats okay.

Thanks for everyones help, I do hate computers most of the time.

 

[usasma]

Right click on the Unknown Device and select Properties
Select the Details tab.
In the dropdown box, select Hardware ID.
Let us know what it says there and we'll see what we can find.