Cannot return computer to factory condition after partition editing

niteshranjan · 19 May 2012

i have backed up all the imp data, however i just dont want to loose my OS as i do not have windows 7 disc with me

lets see how it goes...will keep you posted !!!

whs · 19 May 2012

Make sure you first delete one of the 5 partitions. PW422 will not work as long as you have 5 partitions.

mjf · 19 May 2012

You should get all data off D: then delete that partition before converting from dynamic to basic. Then use Partition Wizard to expand C: to the right into the unallocated space.
Provided you haven't changed the size of the other partitions I wouldn't expect your recovery and tools to be affected.

Unfortunately, IMO, I think HP have chosen a very poor partition structure to begin with.

niteshranjan · 20 May 2012

i deleted my D drive ..expanded the C drive, but the software has no option of converting from dynamic to basic.....m pretty confused now

Probably...i will go for a clean install. Is there any way of creating my own recovery partition..which can be used using F11.
Also , isnt any other way to use the recovery partition of HP which is there on my C drive ???

niteshranjan · 20 May 2012

Dude...with the help of an excellent software ( Dynamic disk converter) i have now converted my drives into basic

and therefore m a step closer. I can now also see my recovery partition as a drive ! now the problem is i am not able to use the F11 function...any fix for that...or anyway i can use the recovery partition ???

mjf · 20 May 2012

niteshranjan said:

i deleted my D drive ..expanded the C drive, but the software has no option of converting from dynamic to basic.....m pretty confused now

Probably...i will go for a clean install. Is there any way of creating my own recovery partition..which can be used using F11.
Also , isnt any other way to use the recovery partition of HP which is there on my C drive ???

Use this software advised
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=b0a22789320e3247&id=B0A22789320E3247!215
You need to create a bootable CD/DVD. using a program like
The Official ImgBurn Website (highly recommended)

We are dealing with moderately complex issues here. If a clean install is the way you want to go then I suggest you go with it. But before you do maybe being a bit adventurous could be interesting for you.

niteshranjan · 20 May 2012

THe latest development is...i was able to enter the F11 option ...however in some time i got an error:

"The data is invalid. : Recovery partition index == bootPartition" and "The installed program can not start. Click OK to turn off the computer."

Now dont know how to fix this one....after all the effort i dont wanna jus give up !!!

Please give me some fix for this...

niteshranjan · 20 May 2012

Thanks MJF, as mentioned in my last post i am getting error in the F11 recovery. I have the recovery partion, but dont know why that error. You have mentioned some softwares...but m not tech savvy like you..can you be a little descriptive after reading my current situation

niteshranjan · 20 May 2012

I have now done everything possible but it doesnt seem to work !
- I made the disks to basic
- Got into F11 but with an error , partition is invalid
- Recovered the whole partition with a partition software, but the error remains same

Now i have got the whole recovered partition, is there any way i can make a recovery disc out of that recovery partition ???

mjf · 20 May 2012

NB: I just noticed your recovery partition is logical. Now that you just have 4 primary partitions you could try using Partition Wizard to make it a primary. Then try HP recovery.
(Windows Disk Management won't let you perform this operation but it is quite ok)

If this doesn't work then I suspect your recovery partition has been corrupted at some stage. Two options are:
1) Obtain a set of factory recovery DVDs from HP. This will probably cost you something.
2) Use the COA sticker Product key to do a clean install of Windows. This is a label stuck somewhere on your PC. You will need to download a Windows installation ISO. If you go this way here is a tutorial
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
Note: The member who wrote this tutorial has made some specific comments concerning HP PCs.