Backup Disk is damaged, help!

Long story short, I had to wipe my computer and reinstall Windows from three backup disks that should reset it to its default settings. I have three HP recovery disks - disk one works fine and reinstalls around 33% of it. Disk 2 worked once and got it up to around 70%, and then disk 3 failed. I tried it again and now disk 2 isn't even being recognised the HP recovery thing just spits the disk back out. I've had these disks for years so they're probably damaged in some way.

I have Ubuntu Linux on a USB that I can use in an emergency like this just to get a working Windows iso from the Internet, but I can't get it from the software recovery website because it the product key is for a Windows installation that was pre-installed.

I have no way of reinstalling Windows, unless there's something I don't know about. Please help, I'm sort of freaking out here! If you have a solution please explain it as simply as possible because I don't know much about this stuff.

carwiz said:

You don't specify what model HP but you might check your user manual and see if there's a procedure for recovering directly from the Recovery Partition.

Sorry - it's a HP Pavilion. Not too sure if there are any more sub-models that could be more specific but that's all I know.
I looked up HP Pavilion user manuals online and nothing mentions anything about backups and whatnot

If Carwiz's idea does not help, consult the link below on how to do a clean install.

You would need a valid Product Key and access to a Windows 7 ISO or possibly a borrowed installation disc.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

snowyowl95 said:

carwiz said:

You don't specify what model HP but you might check your user manual and see if there's a procedure for recovering directly from the Recovery Partition.

Sorry - it's a HP Pavilion. Not too sure if there are any more sub-models that could be more specific but that's all I know.
I looked up HP Pavilion user manuals online and nothing mentions anything about backups and whatnot

Look here:

HP PCs - Performing an HP system recovery (Windows 7) | HP® Support

ignatzatsonic said:

If Carwiz's idea does not help, consult the link below on how to do a clean install.

You would need a valid Product Key and access to a Windows 7 ISO or possibly a borrowed installation disc.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

I've tried getting a Windows 7 ISO from that Microsoft Software Recovery website and it says that I can't download it because the key was used on a pre-installed Windows.

I don't know anybody with an installation disc but I support I could always buy a new one from somewhere in a few hours.

snowyowl95 said:

ignatzatsonic said:

If Carwiz's idea does not help, consult the link below on how to do a clean install.

You would need a valid Product Key and access to a Windows 7 ISO or possibly a borrowed installation disc.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

I've tried getting a Windows 7 ISO from that Microsoft Software Recovery website and it says that I can't download it because the key was used on a pre-installed Windows.

I don't know anybody with an installation disc but I support I could always buy a new one from somewhere in a few hours.

You can use that MS site ONLY if you have a so-called retail version of Windows. You don't.

Therefore, you are left to find an ISO from some other source (the dreaded Internet) and then confirm it is unaltered per the instructions in the Clean Install link I provided.

Or beg or borrow another install disc.

Or try to recover directly from your hard drive via the HP link I provided.

Or buy another disc.

I got an ISO but now it's saying Windows cannot be installed to the disk because it is of GPT partition style! How do I change this?

UPDATE: It works! Sort of!

I can't connect to the Internet because it says I don't have a properly-installed network adapter. What does this mean and how do I fix it? Ubuntu could connect a-ok to the Internet. I tried getting some drivers but the drivers need the adapter to work...I think?