Upgraded to SSD, can't restore to factory to clean it all up

pxfragonard · 08 Dec 2019

Hi. I put an SSD into my Win7 machine thinking to do a factory restore, get all the updates, remove the bloatware, reinstall the programs I'll want to keep after January 15, 2020 and then unplug it, using it for the heavy lifting in photography, video and so on and getting a light laptop to do all the lighter stuff with windows 10.

Now I find I can't do that. Here's what it said when I tried to install the recovery disc. "Unable to recover your PC. The system drive is too small."

I did get a 512gb SSD where a 1.5TB HDD was. Is that the problem? Is there a solution? Or another way to clean everything up? I'm not unhappy. The thing is lighting fast now, especially at startup. But I would like to get it as fresh as possible.

I note that in disk management, I have only two partitions, Windows and C: whereas the disk I replaced had D: HP_RECOVERY.

Another thing that might be helpful. When I started it, I had to recover from the last Macrium backup. This might be irrelevant but I thought I'd mention it.

Megahertz07 · 08 Dec 2019

When you do a Factory Recover (that can be launched from running Windows or BIOS), it formats the C: partition and loads an image from HP_RECOVERY partition. The problem is that it expects to find a C: partition the size it was on the original disk. As you have a smaller disk, it gives you the error.

You can manually load the HP_RECOVERY partition image to a formatted C: partition. You have to do it booting from a WinPE drive.
It's not very difficult but it isn't for everyone.

Anyway, a Factory recover comes with all that aged and useless programs, so my suggestion is to do a clean install, deleting all partitions on the SSD and start from scratch.

- Download ABR to a USB drive ABRbeta.exe . Run it to extract to a folder.

On the actual installation make a backup of your SLP license using ABR activation_backup.exe. Instructions how to use (3 Tools to Backup and Restore Windows 7 and Vista OEM Activation License • Raymond.CC) Save the created backup-cert.xrm-ms to the USB drive.

-Download all the drivers for your laptop from HP site to the USB drive.

- Boot from the Win 7 installation disk, go to install and choose same version you have now (Home Premium) If you don't have a Win 7 HP SP1 installation disk, let me know and I'll send you a M$ Link to download it.

- Open Device manager and Install all the missing drivers

- When done, you can offline activate using ABR activation_restore.exe

As a fresh install, it will need to install all updates.
My recommendation is to use Simplix.
My suggestion is to set Services - Windows Update - Manual and on WU page set it to Never check.
Then download UpdatePack7R2-19.11.15.exe and UpdatePatch-19.11.18.exe to same folder.
Run UpdatePatch-19.11.18.exe and it will create UpdatePack7R2-19.11.18.exe.
Run UpdatePack7R2-19.11.18.exe to install all updates.
Simplix is a single file (750MB) that contain all updates since Win 7 released up to date. It has all security and non security updates without the trash (telemetry and tracking). Very good.
Then run WU manually to find updates for Office etc and decide witch one to install.

When done, restore your data from old HDD.

pxfragonard · 08 Dec 2019

Ah, Thanks for all your thought. "Boot from the Win 7 installation disk" That's the rub. It came pre-installed. No disk.

Another problem is that I'm running an ancient Office and 7 won't allow the new .docx install. I have those discs though from a Vista machine.

A lot to digest and consider. I do want to do a clean install. It makes sense to get it done before January 15 and I really appreciate your help.

pxfragonard · 08 Dec 2019

BTW it's a desktop, not a laptop but I guess that doesn't make any difference to your instructions.

Megahertz07 · 08 Dec 2019

A link for Win7_HomePrem_SP1_English_COEM_x64.iso
Link is valid for 24 hours. Dec/09/2019 21:21:30 UTC (London time)
Download it NOW.

Can you explain "I'm running an ancient Office and 7 won't allow the new .docx install. I have those discs though from a Vista machine." What Office version you have?
You can install a patch to open and save .docx (I have it).

pxfragonard · 08 Dec 2019

It's Office 2002.

Megahertz07 · 08 Dec 2019

pxfragonard said:

BTW it's a desktop, not a laptop but I guess that doesn't make any difference to your instructions.

No it doesn't make any difference to my instructions.

The HP Pavilion p6745f Desktop PC drivers

Megahertz07 · 08 Dec 2019

pxfragonard said:

It's Office 2002.

Do you have the installation disks and the key code?

pxfragonard · 08 Dec 2019

Thanks. I checked that site but didn't see a patch for Office that will enable me to open and save Word files as .docx. But I'm not technically proficient. I don't know why it calls me a power user! I have changed a drive and put in new power supply so I'm slowly getting there. One day, I hope to build a computer from scratch but I'm really weak on software and understanding all that.

Megahertz07 · 08 Dec 2019

pxfragonard said:

Thanks. I checked that site but didn't see a patch for Office that will enable me to open and save Word files as .docx. But I'm not technically proficient. I don't know why it calls me a power user! I have changed a drive and put in new power supply so I'm slowly getting there. One day, I hope to build a computer from scratch but I'm really weak on software and understanding all that.

Download and install Microsoft-Office-Compatibility-Pack

The update pack Compatibility Pack (SP3)