Factory Default??? Need major help please??

[MrsM2011]

Hi so I have been having many problems with my Presario HP CQ62 Notebook PC running Windows 7 Home Premium and I got so frustrated I picked factory default and I dont have any type of product key on me so what can I do?? Is there anything possible I might be able to do? I got some installation disks from a few of my friends one is the Windows 7 and I have tried 3 times already and it keeps getting stuck and wont start up. So the other two that I have are Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 can I even run that on my PC since I was running Windows 7 before? And I dont have a product key so will this help or mess me up even more?? Please help

 

[TVeblen]

I know you are stressed right now, but you need to slow down and describe the situation carefully. It is difficult to understand what the problem is exactly.

My guess:
You ran the laptop's Restore function to try and fix a problem you were having using Windows. You realized after doing this that it completely changed your computer and now you want to get back to where you were before you did this.
Close?

Now, you are trying to reinstall W7 but the installation is asking for a product key. For your laptop you would use the product key that is on the Certificate of Authenticity sticker that is on the bottom of the laptop. It will work without issue as long as the laptop came with W7 pre-installed.

But here is the bad news: If you ran the Factory restore program then it completely wiped the hard drive and reinstalled a backup image of the hard drive the way it was when you first took it out of the box. If you are looking for your personal files or programs you installed after you took it out of the box - they are gone.

Hopefully you have backups.

Let us know what is going on and we can see if we can help.

 

[MrsM2011]

Yes I restored it back to factory default. And no I dont have any backups at all. And I have the sticker on the back of my computer for Windows Home Premium but it is so faded I cant see the product key but I have other disks I can run I just want to make sure they will work on hear ya know? I cant access the internet at all it keeps saying the Dependency group or service failed to start. I cant even get a wifi connection all my adapters are gone. So I just want to know or try to install any kind of program or file where I can access the internet so once im on the internet I can download the other things that need to be done. Because most troubleshooters running on my PC says to go to the Microsoft Website to download this or that. So does that kind of explain it better for you? Sorry about that just stressing major right now.. Thank you and I hope u can help

 

[theog]

Pressing the f11 key during startup on a computer with an HP factory image will start the system recovery process even if the prompt is not displayed.

How to use HP Recovery:
Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)
Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 7) - HP Customer Care (United States - English)
How to make HP Recovery DVD disks:
Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

How to make HP Recovery USB disk:
Creating a Recovery Disk on a USB Flash Disk HP Pavilion dv6700z CTO Entertainment Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

or
You can Order HP Recovery Disks from here:
Compaq Mini CQ10-500 PC series -  HP Notebook PCs - Order Recovery Discs for Windows 7, Vista, or XP - c00810334 - HP Business Support Center

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

 

[MrsM2011]

No I didnt make any discs.. I know I should of but now I will always make backups to everything but I tried using my friends windows 7 backup disk and at first it started loading but now all it does I is give me options to restore it and everytime I try it fails to restore. But I have these other 2 disks for Windows XP for HP it has the drivers and everything and they are the actual disks store bought but I didnt want to try them yet because I didnt know if I could run Windows XP Professional since I only had Windows 7Home Premium before. Can I or no??

 

[TVeblen]

It sounds like you need to install drivers to get your networking devices working. This should not be the case if you just did a Restore operation. Did you already attempt a new installation?

If so you would need to use another computer to download all the needed drivers from the manufacturer's website for your laptop model. Put these on a USB stick. Then install them on the problem laptop from the stick.

Where did you get the laptop from? New from a retail outlet? Is it used? Was it a corporate machine (given to employees)?
I ask because you may be able to get the COA product key from the originator.

 

[MrsM2011]

Yes I have tried everything and it keeps saying the Dependency service failed to start and it shows tje computer with a red X thru it. I have a Presario Compaq CQ62 Notebook PC. And I purchased it at Wal Mart 2 years ago and I even tried calling the company without a warranty they charge an arm and a leg to fix it and I dont have the funds right now. So I was hoping one of these disks work ya know? So could I try the Windows XP disks or do I have to stick with Windows 7??

 

[TVeblen]

I would definitely stick with W7.

Two options:

1. Install windows 7 clean from installation disk and then activate it with Microsoft by telephone. You will need to download and save to a USB stick all of the necessary drivers to do this.
2. Perform the factory Restore again (this will get you a complete, working, and activated installation) and then work to reconfigure Windows, delete unwanted junk programs, reinstall your desired programs, and do all the Windows Updates.

#2 might actually be easier and faster. With #1 you will still need to do all the additional chores in #2.

 

[SIW2]

Microsoft operating systems - e.g. XP or windows 7 all need their own product key - that is a like a license key.

Whatever disc you use to install - you NEED a license key for the version of windows it installs.

Your laptop came with windows 7 ( It is probably the HOME edition of windows 7 ).

There should be a product key ( license key if you want to call it that ) on the laptop - either on the side of the case - or sometimes in the battery compartment underneath the battery.

That will work with the same version of windows the machine originally came with.

It does not work with a different version of windows.



It is much better for you to do the factory restore again -you don't need to worry about license key if you do that.

 

[MrsM2011]

I have a product Id number with windows is that OK to use or no?

 

[jumanji]

Does it read like xxxxx-OEM-xxxxxxx-xxxxx. Then it is not. Does it say Windows is activated above that in Control Panel>All Control Panel Items> System. Then you still have the OEM activation intact.

Since you cannot read the COA key on the sticker, your only option if you want to do a clean install is to backup your OEM activation from your current OEM install and restore it after a clean install or use the OEM Reinstall disk which self-activates.

Please explore ways and means of backing up and saving your OEM activation before you or your friends muck up your system any further.

 

[SIW2]

I think that is a bit complex for the op.

Sorry, but a product ID is not the same as a product KEY.

 

[jumanji]

I think that is a bit complex for the op........

Not really.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Just a suggestion but how about getting hold of a Ubuntu boot disk - boot from it pull up the net > download SIW > check licences and that should bring up any of the drive records of the previous / original install?