repair disc issue

[haus_kat]

My friend has a Compaq laptop running windows Vista. She asked if I'd help her re-format it so that it would be like it was when she first got it but she doesn't know much at all about computers and never had made the repair discs for it. When I tried to do that an error message popped up that the computer doesn't have a DVD/CD drive, even though it does and it works and is the original drive which the computer had when she bought it. I have an external DVD drive and I plugged it into the USB port but still got the same message. How can I get around this issue so that we can make the discs and re-format it? Thanks

[patio]

Check the manuf. site for more info...there may or should be a hidden Restore partition that can be used instead of the CD...
The CD may not be being recognised because the OS is not loading properly...

Best of Luck and keep us posted.

[2x3i5x]

When booting laptop, check the COMPAQ logo screen and it may tell you  what key to press to get the recovery restore partition option (I think compaq and HP computers have those)

[Geek-9pm]

This is with regard to making n repair CD  for Windows VISTA. There was a change made to VISTA where he can no longer create a complete install DVD from the operating system itself. Instead, what you can make is a repair disk that is really a repair tool, not a complete new installation.

DO NOT FORMAT THE DRIVE .

[haus_kat]

Thank you! I found out the issue was caused because the CD/DVD software which came with the computer needed to be re-installed. We did that and then were allowed to make the disc

[haus_kat]

Ok, now we have tried to recover the system both from the hard drive and by using the disc which was created and are continually receiving this annoying error message early in the process "0x40010011300001002" and says contact HP support but I can not find anything about it on their site.

If it makes a difference, the computer is original to when it was purchaed with the exception of the RAM. My friend had more added to it at some computer repair shop to try to make the computer faster.

[patio]

Try removing a stik of RAM and repeat the process...any change ? ?

[haus_kat]

neither of us installed the extra RAM, don't know how to do that and don't want to mess with taking the computer apart or anything. I recently broke my own computer merely testing out an old hard drive. When I re-inserted the computer's original hard drive when I was finished the computer then started getting errors and now won't even start She plans to give me her Compaq computer as soon as we can erase/restore the drive. Thanks

[patio]

Have someone in your area thats worked on laptops come over for a looksee and buy him a beer...
Worthwhile investment.

[haus_kat]

Does anyone have any idea how we can format this laptop? We'd really like to get this done so that it can be used...

[Geek-9pm]

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Other-Notebook-PC-questions/Error-0x400-100-130000-1002-Help/td-p/68276
This issue has been considered earlier on the HP site. Did you already see that?
The answer given there was not definitive. It seems to be a disk I/O error of some kind.

May I suggest having the drive tested outside of the laptop, in a Desktop using an adapter. If there is a motherboard issue, replacing the drive will be futile. Also, the desktop can backup some of all of the laptop hard drive,.Then you can format it anew knowing  you have a copy.

Look on the HP site to see if a restore DVD is available from HP. At a cost much less that a retail VISTA.

[haus_kat]

Yes, I've seen that and it didn't offer info that would be of help with this. thank you anyway though.

Could something like this work? I'm not sure if this is the full version of the software or what...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180731238254#ht_2900wt_1037

[Geek-9pm]

“This Disk is not” a Windows Vista installation disk and “does not install” Windows Vista on your system.
 
“This Disk does” allow you to repair your Windows Vista system software. Or install a backup of your system.

...from the link...near the bottom...
That says it all.
What is the model number of the Compaq? How old ,is it? Do you find a COA tag on it? That is the sticker from Microsoft that says it has a license for Vista OEM version.
If it does have the COA and product key, you can use the Vista  install DVD for Compaq/HP.  With regard to the product key, It is not the same as the retail version. Please tell if the COA for Vista is there. Do not give the key, just tell if it has the sticker. It will have the Microsoft name on it.

[haus_kat]

okay. I've searched on Google several times and the general opinion is that there is just some issue with the Compaq/HP computers and no resolution to this problem aside from obtaining another copy of Windows software on a DVD rom >:/

However, now that computer is not loading Windows OS now due to the botched re-install (and missing boot manager) I can not find out whether or not the computer had the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the software. Does it matter which version I get? Would there be some hardware conflict if I bought a brand new copy of Vista on disc and got the opposite version of what had been originally installed? My friend no longer has any documentation for the computer and the sticker on the bottom only says it was Windows Vista Home Premium but does not specify whether or not it was 32-bit or 64-bit. Hmm...

[DaveLembke]

With exact computer model # we'd be able to look up what it originally had... Also, if your having to go out and buy an OS, I'd suggest throwing the towel in on Windows Vista and using Windows 7 instead. Its way better, but you will want to have minimum of 1GB Ram, although I like 2GB minimum for 7. With computer model info and ram amount we'd be able to verify Win 7 drivers available and 32 or 64 bit operation.