Did you make the HP recovery disk or windows recovery disk where you saved the files? If its the 2nd option then do a clean install of windows and then do recovery from windows. Download windows from torrents if you dont have a windows disk, use the stock winkey from laptop. install windows and then load recovery that way.

maxpayne · Jan 6, 2012 8:14 PM

 i made recovery discs using recovery tool. basically it created a system image with windows and everything. it created a total of 5 dvd discs (15 gb total). has anyone upgraded their hard drive to a smaller size that they previously had in their laptop? like i said....mine came with 320gb but i bought 250gb and someone on hp forum told me it was the size of the hd........ please share your experience...

biwash prawashi · Jan 6, 2012 8:54 PM

 So did you install windows or not? Install windows first and then do recovery after you login to windows. NOT before that. Also there isnt any difference on the size. What's your operating system? Here is link for windoes 7 torrent http://www.demonoid.me/files/d...

maxpayne · Jan 6, 2012 10:42 PM

IT guru. Now a days we do not get CD to boot or recover , it comes buit in. I need to repair my window 7 without deleting anything in the computer. I need help and if you can give me step by step instruction ( that would be great help). thank you.

MAgorkhe1 · Jan 7, 2012 1:27 PM

 thanks maxpayne the system image has operating system and everything needed with the built in software to recover. will try with a 320gb hd and if it doesnt work...will have to go the old way...install windows first and then take care of other things. gorkhali have you used recovery manager to create a repair disc?

biwash prawashi · Jan 7, 2012 7:59 PM

 biswas iam not sure why you're hellbent on recovering your way, Installing OS first will make your laptop HP crapware free and its much better way to go. Dont change the drive because you will have to pay the restocking fee at bestbuy.

maxpayne · Jan 7, 2012 8:43 PM

 ma gorkhe whats wrong with your computer? To do a clean install of computer Make a recovery disk from Control Panel You can download the windows 7 from the link directly above your post. This is a torrent so you'll need to download a torrent client. After you download it burn the file on a DVD. Now you have a winddows 7 disk. This is how is format your windows 7 system After you install windows just recover from the disks you created early

maxpayne · Jan 7, 2012 9:03 PM

 thanks for the help maxpayne...im downloading the torrent but not many seeders.....im being patient though.

biwash prawashi · Jan 7, 2012 10:06 PM

 got the torrent but the size is too big........5.5 gb and blank dvds only hold 4.7gb......whats the solution? i tried shrinking the size with a software but there was error......have you used this torrent yourself? i have a feeling that the file is not working.......... ideas? suggestion? advise?

biwash prawashi · Jan 8, 2012 11:27 PM

 Why dont you use USB Here's the instructions http://arstechnica.com/busines...

maxpayne · Jan 8, 2012 11:47 PM

 Hey did you also read the notes on the torrent  How to install if you have a Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium or Ultimate Key - Extract the ISO image to your Hard Drive. - Use the Shrinker Tool to remove the Pre-Activation from the ISO, and create a new ISO File to use (Option 4). - Install Windows 7 and enter your product key, you may automatically Activate if you wish. You may have to re-type the product key again once Windows is installed to make it Genuine. Using the Shriking Tool (GUI Version) - You will need .NET Framework 2.0 (or 3.5) installed to use this. Windows 7 comes with 3.5 as standard. - This removes around 250mb-1.5gb of extras included (not including Windows Editions), but doesn't remove updates. - To use this either run this from a DVD/USB Device, or you can extract the ISO file on to your Hard Drive. (Extracting the ISO FIle at this time is OK, because it will re-generate a Bootable ISO File for you.) - Run the "shrinker-gui.exe" file located on the DVD, select a folder with atleast 12gb free, and select your options.

maxpayne · Jan 8, 2012 11:57 PM

thanks maxpayne i downloaded the iso file and then extracted the files using shrinker to make a bootable cd for windows 7 home edition 64 bit........it gave me another iso with just the above mentioned OS and i burned it to dvd. the shrinker significantly reduced the size to around 1gb. when i put the dvd in my optical drive...it just says the same thing"no bootable device" i also tried loading the whole 5gb iso file to 8gb flash drive but got error....the usb drive is empty and works fine but is unable to create iso on the flash drive itself? tyo iso file drag and drop garyo bhaney hunchha hola usb drive ma? i really apprecite you following this post and helping me.

biwash prawashi · Jan 9, 2012 12:37 AM

 Did you go to the bios and change the boot device priority? the boot device needs to be dvd or external media and the secondary drive need to be hd drive. Also did you see the link i posted that explains how to make bootable drive? Simply copying and pasting wonf work.

maxpayne · Jan 9, 2012 1:12 AM

 maxpayne...i did try everything but nothing worked...took me a few days to figure out so this is what i finally did: - downloaded the same OS (WIN 7 home premium 64 bit) from torrent - did a clean install by burning image to the dvd - the torrent installation was valid for 30 days and needed to be activated so i entered the product key from the back of my laptop for windows 7 and now its full activated - updated drivers and other patches....installed anti virus........basically had to update a lot of stuff the bottom line is........i think the size of the hard hard doesnt not matter when replacing hdd......the recovery discs that i made using hp's software were actually causing all these  troubles. i think the torrent file that you recommended is corrupt as i tried to use it on my 8gb flahs drive but it would not work so i had to find another torrent thanks for the help maxpayne

biwash prawashi · Jan 10, 2012 10:44 PM

 Glad to hear you figured it out. I tried the same torrent and i could make a win 7 disc. But good for you. Rememeber always keep backups.

maxpayne · Jan 10, 2012 11:54 PM

As far as i know is, if you make recovery a recovery disk and later you make a partition of your hard drive and if you try to backup all your files and system image from your recovery disk it's not gonna work. It has to be on same state when you made recovery image. However, you will be able to restore your files from recovery image i think

:-) · Jan 11, 2012 11:12 AM

 my laptop never came with recovery discs so when my hdd started acting up, i used hp's built in software to make recovery discs. i never made any partitions by myself ...whatever paritions the laptop came with. good thing that i had backed up my files even before making recovery discs. i can always go and buy OS but my personal files can never be replaced.... :) i did clean installation without any bundled softwares and the laptop has become faster and i can pick and choose the softwares i likes to download. but it was a lot of windows updates to install....a lot... im glad its working now

biwash prawashi · Jan 11, 2012 11:26 AM