Accidentally Wiped HDD

[blizzard1337]

So my brother upgraded to Windows 10 recently, and he realizes he hates it. So trying to downgrade back to Win 7 he accidentally wipes the Harddrive (I think). Now when he turns it on (HP Laptop) it says no boot file was found and says Ctrl+alt+delete to restart. He doesn't have any recovery disks, however in Bios it says Win 7 but Im not sure if that helps.

Thanks

Its a HP Pavillions g6-d11dx

 

[rgd1101]

no. that doesn't help. what exact did he try when he downgrade back to win 7?

 

[blizzard1337]

no. that doesn't help. what exact did he try when he downgrade back to win 7?

He had deleted the whole partition, does this mean I cant use system recovery for windows 7 to restore it?

 

[USAFRet]

no. that doesn't help. what exact did he try when he downgrade back to win 7?

He had deleted the whole partition, does this mean I cant use system recovery for windows 7 to restore it?

The HP recovery might still exist.

 

[Shadowcalen1]

If you have a windows 7 install, you may be able to recover the key from the HP recovery partition, which will get you a full OS.

 

[blizzard1337]

If you have a windows 7 install, you may be able to recover the key from the HP recovery partition, which will get you a full OS.

I can see the Hp recovery partition, but how would i go about doing this?

 

[Shadowcalen1]

You would need to consult the HP site http://support.hp.com/ca-en/document/c01867418

 

[blizzard1337]

I have no OS to do the first option, the second option i have tried(f11) however it doesn't do anything it leaves me at a hit f11 to system recovery scree. I read somewhere that it may because my recovery partition is inactive. i can access a windows xp recovery console but it wont allow me to try download windows XP

 

[Shadowcalen1]

If you have access to another computer, you can download a windows 7 install.

 

[USAFRet]

If you have access to another computer, you can download a windows 7 install.

Only if there is a Retail Windows 7 license key.

 

[Shadowcalen1]

Im not sure this works 100%, but with windows 8 I was able to download the 8 download, and use it to access the recovery partition that got my key back.

 

[ctbrown]

"i can access a windows xp recovery console but it wont allow me to try download windows XP"

Did the system originally have XP? If so,do you still have the Win7 upgrade disk and license key?

 

[blizzard1337]

Ok, so far I was able to download windows 7 using another disc I found, but I already used that product code. So now how can I access the HP recovery partition so that I can activate my Windows7. Again the old partition was deleted, but I can still see the recovery partition, and now I have inactivated windows 7 downloaded.

 

[USAFRet]

1. Do you have a valid license key?
2. Do you have an install disk that matches that license version?

 

[blizzard1337]

I have a valid license key that does match it but it was for my other computer so will the key work again?

 

[USAFRet]

I have a valid license key that does match it but it was for my other computer so will the key work again?

If it is an OEM license, then no.
If it is also used on another PC, no matter what license type it is, then no.

 

[blizzard1337]

I have A key which came with the laptop underneath but when i do the license windows7 iso form their site it says contact your provider.

 

[USAFRet]

I have A key which came with the laptop underneath but when i do the license windows7 iso form their site it says contact your provider.

"their site"? You mean Microsoft? Yes, that is the case. For an OEM license, they expect you to get the install media from the manufacturer.

 

[blizzard1337]

No sorry I meant that they are referring to HP

 

[USAFRet]

No sorry I meant that they are referring to HP

HP is telling you to contact your 'provider'?

 

[blizzard1337]

No, I read that if I still have the code for a windows 7(One on back of laptop which originally came with it) I can download the iso from the site and then use it. I try putting that code it said contact your device company(hp) for more details, hp has nothing on their website.

 

[USAFRet]

No, I read that if I still have the code for a windows 7(One on back of laptop which originally came with it) I can download the iso from the site and then use it. I try putting that code it said contact your device company(hp) for more details, hp has nothing on their website.

OK, to get this under control:

You have an HP laptop
The OS got fully wiped
You have no HP recovery disks
The license key is printed and legible.
Going to MS to obtain the install media results in a message to contact HP (this is normal and expected)

Is all of that correct?

You will probably have to actually talk to someone at HP to obtain the factory reset disk(s). This will probably cost money.
or
Possibly the original HP factory reset partition exists. If it does, do that.
or
Buy a new OS.

 

[blizzard1337]

I managed to download XP, then use my old windows 7 upgrade disk (college one) from my old computer, this is where the key problem comes to play

 

[USAFRet]

I managed to download XP, then use my old windows 7 upgrade disk (college one) from my old computer, this is where the key problem comes to play

Right. The license printed on the laptop will not work to activate a Windows 7 Upgrade install.