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    Compaq v3000 - Formatting/PC Recovery issues

    Discussion in 'HP' started by LSZ, Mar 2, 2009.

  1. LSZ

    LSZ Newbie

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    I tried reformatting this laptop the standard way I would my desktop PC. Boot with my Windows XP CD, delete partition, create, and install. The first time I tried however I realized there was a recovery partition on the laptop (it's not mine). So after doing the initial steps of re-installing Windows and rebooting to proceed with the setup, the PC Recovery from that partition kicks in asking me to do a destructive recovery and do it all itself. So I just tried that and upon restarting the PC, I get an "MBR Error". Fixmbr when booting in the recovery console booting with the XP disc didn't work. This laptop was having some issues before the attempted format (BSOD's).

    Would it be wise to just format the recovery partition as well so hopefully a regular format and XP re-install will proceed rather than be "interrupted" by PC Recovery? I have a Windows XP disc (with the required SATA drivers integrated) and it's probably not too big of a problem finding the separate drivers afterwards (right?!!?).

    Any other options maybe?

    Thanks in advance for any help.
     
    LSZ, Mar 2, 2009
    #1
  2. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    A clean install like you initially attempted is preferable to using the recovery partition, if a bit more time consuming. You should be able to find the necessary drivers on hp.com.

    You will want to be using a HP WinXP install disc so Windows will install preactivated. If yours isn't, you can make one with the OEMBIOS method.
     
    brianstretch, Mar 2, 2009
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  3. LSZ

    LSZ Newbie

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    Time really isn't an issue. I just want this thing re-formatted and working. So to avoid having the PC Recovery turn itself on when Windows would normally begin setting up, do I just format that partition before like I would with the main one?
     
    LSZ, Mar 2, 2009
    #3
  4. evil534768

    evil534768 Notebook Enthusiast

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    See friend, I would advise you to call up HP and ask if u are in any SOFTWARE WARRANTY. If yes, then go ahead and delete the recovery partition and call HP to get urself a set of recovery cds for free. But if you are out of software warranty and u go ahead n delete the recovery partition, the you will have to pay for your recovery cds even if u are an IN WARRANTY CUSTOMER. So, be careful before you proceed.
     
    evil534768, Mar 3, 2009
    #4
  5. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    I would delete both partitions and let Windows create one big one, unless you want to keep a spare partition around for Linux or something.
     
    brianstretch, Mar 3, 2009
    #5