How do I restore my laptop to factory settings after a HD crash?

[rogerfinkle]

My hard drive crashed recently. I'm using an HP notebook, I'm not entirely sure what the model is and all that, I'm not too computer savvy. Anyway, my hard drive crashed today, I'm not sure why. My computer fails every start-up test and will not load any diagnostics or restore menus. Is there a way I can make my computer get to the Windows restore menu to completely reset my laptop? I'm on Windows 7, if that makes any difference. Sorry for the lack of information.
Roger

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If you have had an outright hard drive failure, there is no point in even attempting to restore----you would need a new hard drive.

But maybe the drive has not failed.

What do you mean by "crash"---specifically?

What start-up tests, diagnostics, and restore menus have you tried?

Can you currently boot to your hard drive?

 

[rogerfinkle]

I'm not entirely sure what I mean by "crash", to be honest. My computer will start up and immediately give me the option to press enter to continue with normal start-up or press F2 to run tests. I've pressed F2 and tried running the start-up test, the hard disk test, and all of the other tests. They fail and then really give me no other option than to exit, only leading to a failing start-up. When I don't do that, I press enter to regularly continue with start-up and press F11 to see if the menu to factory reset my system will load. It seems to get halfway there, loading the screen for it but the menus don't show up. Apologies again for the lack of info and terminology, I'm not all that computer savvy.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

see comments in bold

My computer will start up and immediately give me the option to press enter to continue with normal start-up or press F2 to run tests.

When everything was OK, were you presented with these same 2 menu choices when booting? Or is the F2 choice new?

I've pressed F2 and tried running the start-up test, the hard disk test, and all of the other tests. They fail

Fail meaning the tests fail to run?

Or fail meaning they run and give you an onscreen message that the test failed?

 

[rogerfinkle]

That option was never given to me before, and all the tests resulted in an onscreen message that they failed.

 

[gregrocker]

Enter BIOS setup at boot by tapping the F2 key or whatever is given on first boot screen. Is the HD showing up under storage devices? It will have a long model number which if you google it will tell you its make and model.

Download and burn to CD the HD maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan to boot and run. It will confirm its condition.

If it's not listed in BIOS it needs to be replaced. You can return it to HP or replace it yourself. Google for a video on how to remove the HD from your model and then shop for a new one to replace it.

After replacing HD use the Recovery Disks you made or order from HP to recover to factory condition, or get the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.