Windows 7: Unable to boot my laptop from DISK, USB, ANYTHING but Hard Disk!!@#%

I bought a f500 series Compaq laptop... ok, It's originally with VISTA but the previous owner installed Windows 7 Ultimate in it. Runs ok and everything but I want my lappy to be in its original state. OK... here's the problem I spent HOURS and hours trying to solve without success...
I can't boot my Laptop from USB, CD-ROM, USB FLASH DRIVE nor External disk drive. I checked BIOS. I set the boot order like I'm supposed to, DISK > USB > HDD. Nothing happens.
I hit f10 for BIOS setup... or ESC for Boot order and I only see Hard Drive as boot option. No CD, USB... I tried to "repair computer" (F8) and I get no repair option, only restore option with restore points.
I have use Partition manager to check partitions. I am unable to install RECOVERY MANAGER. I get missing "HardDisk.dll" or when I install hdd.dll, I get error code that Recovery Manager is unable to run.
I have recovery Disks for both VISTA X 64 and WIN 7 X 64 and both are no use since I can't access those.

I tried to upgrade my BIOS F1.71 >>> Running the BIOS upgrade software I got from HP official site... I get to the point where the Software tells me it is creating a FLASH BIOS and I get immediately the blue screen with "memory dump" message. This happens every time I try to upgrade.

I'm not too knowledgeable in computers but I can troubleshoot easily with good instructions... I've tried everything and I come across with a problem after a problem. It's so frustrating!

I even tried the original WIN 7 and VISTA installation disks... as a last option. No, I can't boot from the disk..... What is going on!!!!




k.

There has to be a setting in the BIOS that is stopping you from booting from the USB or CD/DVD drive. That is IF those to thing actually work.

Have you checked to see if the USB and CD/DVD drive work?

As to the memory dump when trying to update the BIOS. You are doing this from inside Windows? I would suspect that because of the memory dump error.

99% of the time the computer/OS BSODs from memory errors. Memory errors come from bad memory.
If the notebook has 2 sticks of memory remove one of them then try the BIOS update. If it still BSODs put that stick back in and remove the other.
If it still BSODs then try it from a Safe Mode boot or from a Command line boot.

Two things:

1) Do you actually have a bootable windows disk/usb?

2) If answer to above question is YES, then insert dvd/usb in its slot, reboot windows, then at boot keep tapping F9 repeatedly till you see a boot menu with several options listed. Choose your bootable device there.

If the above does not work as it should, please report so we can investigate whether the dvd drive is OK etc.

Thanks for quick replies

Yeah, disk and usb are bootable and they do work. I've tried them with also running diagnostics and device manager recognizes them ok. I got the USB flash drive boot directions from HP site.

I've tried tapping F9 (in this case ESC on this laptop I guess) and only boot option is Hard Drive. If I set HD in BIOS to be for excample nr. 4 with everything else first, the boot menu only shows HD boot. I'll attach some pics:

BIOS:


and order:


When I do F9/ESC for Boot options:


Only other menu and it doesn't have Repair option nor access to Repair Manager (since I can't install it... blah)


I tried to boot from a CD I bought from the store so it's original Windows and no luck, same thing: Windows loads automatically, Cd starts but won't boot.

I'm trying not to just rely on repair shop but I guess I'm going to have to

Try changing the Delay to something other then 0 (zero). Like 10.

Not sure what F key is for what on your notebook but with the Delay set to 0 you might be missing the REAL One Time Boot Menu option notification of what key to press.

Never heard of using the Esc key for this purpose. On Dell PCs is it F12, on Asus boards is it F8. On your PC the Esc may just bring up the internal drive to bypass booting from some other device. Don't really know.

Hm , I'll try that. ESC here brings up "Boot menu" like the 3rd picture.

well if that doesn't work try taking the hard drive out of the system and see if you get any other options.

Just grabbing at straws at this point.

Could simply be that PC id FUBAR.

Do you have a USB floppy drive?

I ask because if you take the hard drive out and you do get another option to boot the PC from one of the other devices, USB/DVD, you need to do the BIOS update from one of those other devices.
To do that you will need to load the BIOS update on one of those mediums and make it so it will boot. Most makers have both a win version and a BOOT (floppy) version of there BIOS updates.

Try setting the bios to default mode. It may be called something else like failsafe or optimal, then press F10 to save changes and reboot. Then tap f9 and check if boot menu has changed.

If that doesnt help and you are handy with a screwdriver, open the laptop, take out the cmos for 2 minutes then put it in back. Now check.

Another thing you can do is to check for a bios update.

I set the default mode. Also F9 does nothing on this laptop. just beeps and goes straight to windows 7 screen .

I'll got the screwdriver ready now!! lol

*woman at work*

You GO Girl!!!!!!