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Windows 7 Pro Re-installation Query

Tags:
  • Windows 7
  • Hewlett Packard
  • Hard Drives
Last response: in Windows 7
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January 28, 2014 2:36:56 AM

Hi there,

I am trying to fix my friend's HP Probook laptop. This is a Windows 7 Pro based system and it has recently started hanging on the Windows 7 boot logo. I tried booting in safe mode and it hangs while loading a driver for avg (avgidshx.sys). I ran the HP boot menu health tests and the memory test passes but the hard drive test fails instantly. Booting to command prompt using my own Windows 7 Home Premium DVD and running chkdsk confirms that the Windows partition (D) has multiple errors (the chkdsk process actually failed at 10% after finding 3 errors and advised it could not continue in read-only mode) although the HP Recovery (E) and Tools (F) partitions check out okay.

I have ordered a new hard drive but I wondered what the best way to proceed is in terms of re-installation. Is it worth trying to clone the damaged hard drive to the new one in it's entirety to possibly avoid re-installing Windows (depending on the extent of damage to the Windows partition), or maybe just cloning the HP Recovery and Tools partitions to the new hard drive so I can re-install Windows 7 Pro? The other potential problem is that the HP Windows 7 Pro DVD doesn't appear to have been included with the system (there is only an HP Windows XP DVD provided) so I believe the Windows 7 Pro installation files are on the recovery partition only.

All advice greatly appreciated!

Many thanks :) 

More about : windows pro installation query

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a b $ Windows 7
a b α HP
January 28, 2014 3:36:55 AM

Install W7 using your mates dvd in trial mode or even use your key ;) 
Clone the recovery partition to a disk image on external drive.
Install new HDD.
Restore image back to HDD, at same position, normally end of disk.
Reboot, hit F11 and do a recovery.
Make a set of the recovery DVD's or pay HP $10 or so for a set.

Personally, I couldn't give two hoots for HP software.
Just go online and get all the drivers.
Zap the existing disk partitions and use a W7 Pro OEM DVD and your licence key.
TADA !, a fully licence and legal W7 install and no HP bloatware crap !
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January 28, 2014 4:06:06 AM

das_stig said:
Install W7 using your mates dvd in trial mode or even use your key ;) 
Clone the recovery partition to a disk image on external drive.
Install new HDD.
Restore image back to HDD, at same position, normally end of disk.
Reboot, hit F11 and do a recovery.
Make a set of the recovery DVD's or pay HP $10 or so for a set.

Personally, I couldn't give two hoots for HP software.
Just go online and get all the drivers.
Zap the existing disk partitions and use a W7 Pro OEM DVD and your licence key.
TADA !, a fully licence and legal W7 install and no HP bloatware crap !


<<<Thanks so much for your advice. I definitely prefer the clean install option with no unnecessary HP bloatware. Just one more question- where can I legally get a Windows 7 Pro OEM DVD from? My own personal version is Home Premium, and my friend's DVD is actually Windows XP. It doesn't seem worth buying a copy when I can just install it from the HP Recovery partition.>>>

Okay scrap the above question- I found a link to download the ISO from Microsoft. Thanks again for your help.
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