Laptop won't install Windows from DVD or USB

singalongjonl · 20 Apr 2014

I have an older laptop that was handed down to me by my parents. It surprisingly lasted longer than the one that I had previously, no issues. However, HP abandoned it. Whenever I search for the drivers, it automatically redirects me to another laptop model. At this current time, I don't even know if I am on the correct BIOS and if I am even running the correct drivers.

I have a HP Pavilion dv6700 (but under 'warranty' it's listed as dv6704nr).
I have even tried running the drivers under dv6704nr and had no success, maybe even making things worse.

Anyways, I make it a regular thing to reinstall Windows when my computer appears slow or just want to 'restart' my system anew. However, with the latest time I installed my system, somewhere along the way I lost my DVD drive (it is not listed under My Computer). I tried doing the steps online to find if maybe the system accidentally turned it off or whatever, but nothing worked. It is still listed in my current BIOS and recognizes that a DVD drive is there.

I am trying to reinstall Windows again since this time my computer was all buggy (especially with the DVD drive) but I realize I can't run it on a DVD. I tried an external DVD drive (through USB) and it wouldn't work on bootup. My current BIOS has no way to force launch it by DVD and I had even put the DVD drive at the top of Boot Options.

So I tried by USB, however, when I boot up it doesn't even recognize the USB, even when putting the USB drive at the top of my Boot Options.

I am in a really screwy situation. Is there an alternative way to install windows or does anyone have any advice.

Thank you for taking the time to read my message, any help is appreciated.

gregrocker · 20 Apr 2014

Check for setting in BIOS setup to enable USB boot or Legacy USB, check if there is a newer BIOS update to enable USB boot on the Support Downloads webpage for your model laptop. . WHile there check if there are any hotfixes or software issued for the DVD drive as it may be a known issue for the model.

Otherwise this time follow these steps for getting and keeping a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. You only have to do it right once since the modern way to reinstall is to use a saved backup image to reimage the HD in 20 minutes, which is explained in the tutorial along with everything else that works best.

Download the latest ISO for your licensed version from Step 1 in the tutorial and write to flash stick using tool in Step 2. This stick should then show up on the one-time BIOS Boot menu key menu by name under USB, Removable or HD's - but you may need to expand a listing like HD to see and choose it there.

If you can't get the flash stick or DVD drive to boot, then you can run the Setup file as Admin from it, choosing the C partition to install over. This will place a windows.old folder in the new C drive containing the entire old OS which can be deleted in Disk Cleanup once you're sure you have everything.

But you'll get a cleaner install by booting the installer, so if the flash stick can't be made to boot I'd strongly consider replacing the DVD drive which may be very cheap to find on the web, if cleaning it's head doesn't get it going.

If you have any OS on there at all you can also boot into the Win7 installer from the hard drive itself using Install OS from Hard Drive.

AddRAM · 21 Apr 2014

Install the version of windows on your COA and you should have no issues.

whs · 21 Apr 2014

This was originally a Vista system. I have a similar (even older) model. I still run it with Vista (the wife does and loves it). She resisted several attempts to upgrade it to 7.

Unfortunately that laptop is at another location. So I cannot check on the USB problem. But if Windows 7 was installed before, it should be possible to install it again.

If you still have the Vista recovery partition, I would try to install from there. At least it gets you running and Vista is a top system.

Once you have an installed system and all the updates and programs you want installed, make an image of that system and keep it in a safe place. Next time you want to go back in time, just roll in that image - that takes only appr. 20 minutes.

Another thought - did you try to run a live Linux CD, just for testing the CD drive. Same for the USB. You could fabricate this simple stick system for testing.