HP G62-340 Win7x64 install problems!PLZ help:cry:

Ok...

A buddy asked me to help him fix his computer because he had a virus. I'm not sure how he erased everything, but he did. Now when you boot up the machine it states "No boot manager" or "boot manager missing" or something like that.So i go to install windows 7 by booting from disc. It see's the hard drive.... it starts the install process... Then it asks me to install drivers for the SATA drive. Afterward, all of the drives to install to disappear.

I was going to update BIOS, put SATA Drivers on disc and use the option to find drivers from that disc using the feature within the windows installation process... but i've only been able to find EXE's. And of course executable's must be used if you ALREADY have windows installed (Correct me if i'm wrong). I've also read that no SATA Drivers are needed simply because Windows 7 comes equipped with very generic drivers, which might update afterwards. I'm confused!!

I've also ran a test on the HDD (sorry dont remember exactly which one) by hitting "ESC" on bootup. Not only that, i've tried to install XP, Windows 7, even UBUNTU !

Here is a link to the complete specs on the machine:
HP G62-340US Notebook PC Product Specifications - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

I also have Acronis 2012 True Image Home... if that will some how rectify my/his issue. I hate not being able to solve comp issues. I've been messing with them for too dang long to have trouble! =)

I'm thinking its a HDD problem.... Please help and thanks in advance.

The error almost always means the installer is bad. Confirm the latest official ISO for his version and write to flash stick or burn to DVD using the tool in Steps 1 and 2 in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which will provide a perfect reinstall. If DVD fails, try the flash stick method.

If both fail try wiping the HD using Diskpart Clean Command.

The above steps are providing you want the superior Clean Reinstall instead of the preinstalled factory bloatware. But you could also try running HP Factory Recovery from its partition or disks you made or order from Tech Support, tho they will reinstall all of the bloatware and useless utilties which have better versions built into Win7. HP Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

As far as I know HP Tech Support will not provide Restore Factory Default Setting once they purchase the unit were users are eligible to make a Back Up from the very 1st start. Better to ask the default Key to restore and a brief instructions on how he will start the recovery, if step 1 and 2 didn't work well.

Interesting. Can others confirm that HP or any other OEM will not provide Recovery Disks in such cases?

Either way, you can try running Recovery if you please.

exitPr0gram said:

gregrocker said:

The error almost always means the installer is bad. Confirm the latest official ISO for his version and write to flash stick or burn to DVD using the tool in Steps 1 and 2 in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which will provide a perfect reinstall. If DVD fails, try the flash stick method.

If both fail try wiping the HD using Diskpart Clean Command.

The above steps are providing you want the superior Clean Reinstall instead of the preinstalled factory bloatware. But you could also try running HP Factory Recovery from its partition or disks you made or order from Tech Support, tho they will reinstall all of the bloatware and useless utilties which have better versions built into Win7. HP Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

That is information is extremely helpful and thanks to all.

As a matter of fact i do not want ANY bloatware that recoveries come with, he has a copy and i could not restore from it. I am guessing because of whatever method he used to delete everything. Including bootloader?? He has his own antivirus and i am showing him how to maintain his PC using Ccleaner, defrag, etc. So if i can get it working we'll be fine.

Also, the wipe program you linked to seems to be for windows only. i cannot get in to windows or install at all, sais driver needed for HDD and then HDD disappears from list. when turning laptop on it sais nobootmgr found

When i get around to i'll i'll post the results and what i did!Thanks again.

OK. So just to clarify i was trying to do a clean install with windows 7 from the start. Hard drive visible during Win7 installation, errors out stating drivers are needed, then the HDD disappears from list. I've also installed UBUNTU and XP with same results. All leading to some error. Sorry i didnt write them down. HDD test via "ESC" performed as well. No error.

I Cannot use the program you recommended (I think) because i cannot boot in to windows due to the "NoBootMgr Found". I don't even get the splash screen. Do you know of a program like the one you recommended that is bootable?

Also....
I attempted to install SATA drivers (at least i think they were cause it didn't even see them lol) from disc during the windows 7 installation process cause that's what it asked and it allowed me to "Browse". During the browse I saw another file structure Program Files, etc. I do not know if this is what the installation left behind before it failed...... or if somehow the virus this dude got is still on there somewhere.

PLEASE help. I am at a loss. I was thinking about removing the HDD from my laptop and put it in his to see if this will help me isolate the issue and allow me to install windows, create a back up, and install a new HDD for him, then restore. But i'd rather find a simpler way of testing the HDD. I'm not sure if i can trust the HP HDD test i did.

Again guys, thanks in advance. Knowledge is power. There is wisdom in sharing it with others (When you got time) =)

Access DISKPART At PC Startup. Boot installer, at first screen press Shift +F10 to get a Command Prompt.

If wiping the HD with Diskpart Clean Command doesn't enable Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 then test your HD using the HD maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan, followed by Disk Check from Command Prompt.

Where did you get the installation DVD? Did you burn it yourself. Have you burned the official installer ISO to DVD or written to flash stick yet?

gregrocker said:

Access DISKPART At PC Startup. Boot installer, at first screen press Shift +F10 to get a Command Prompt.

If wiping the HD with Diskpart Clean Command doesn't enable Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 then test your HD using the HD maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan, followed by Disk Check from Command Prompt.

Where did you get the installation DVD? Did you burn it yourself. Have you burned the official installer ISO to DVD or written to flash stick yet?

so far what i've done is use the diskpart clean command and couldn't select the volume or disk because the drive did that wierd thing of disappearing. I assigned a drive letter to it after rebooting and getting the drive to show back up and then chose clean all. I am about to check on it now.

If that doesn't work, i've already partitioned my hard drive in my laptop and created a backup of it to my external so i can remove it and put it the problematic laptop. If it works then i guess we are golden =)

Thanks again, buddy.

Clean All is unnecessary overkill which is why I specified Diskpart Clean Command.

You should be running it from the booted installer Command Line.

Then follow the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

It just sat there and did nothing. I am using the cmd prompt within the install disk.

I'm about to do the whole rigamarole and put my hdd in it and possibly isolate it down to the hdd. That will just save me time which is what I'm aiming for.