[IronTailFratley2]

I'm on an HP laptop that originally came with Windows Vista. At some point a while back, I purchased Windows 7 online and upgraded the OS by download--meaning I don't have any physical installation discs.

Now I would like to some how recover this computer to it's factory settings, to wipe all installed programs and files, but I would prefer not to be downgraded back to Vista. Is this possible?

I don't believe I made recovery discs while Vista was installed either. Is it possible to recover the computer at all?

Thank you for any feedback

[SUEOHIO]

If the computer came with windows vista originally when its restored to the factory settings thats what you will get.If you dont have the restore disks for vista for that computer you will have to contact hp and see if they will send you a set.Using a windows 7 disk wont restore it to factory settings because it didnt come with windows 7. Your only option if you dont want windows 7 or vista is to first see if theres xp drivers available for your model of computer and then buy a copy of windows xp either pro or home. But again thats not going to restore factory settings.So yes the computer can be recovered but only back to what it came with once you have the proper vista disks for it.

[flavallee]

What's the product number(P/N) on the sticker so we can determine the exact model number for your HP Pavilion dv5000 series laptop?

If you purchased the downloadable version of Windows 7 from the Microsoft Store, you should've also had a genuine original Windows 7 DVD mailed to you. I did.

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[IronTailFratley2]

Hi, thanks a lot for the replies.

The p/n for this model is: NB231UA#ABA

And I'm not looking for XP, I would prefer Windows 7. But I was able to make the recovery disks, so if worse came to worse, I could always return to Vista I guess.

[IronTailFratley2]

And if I ever received a Windows 7 install DVD, I certainly don't remember it.

[flavallee]

Originally Posted by IronTailFratley2

Hi, thanks a lot for the replies.

The p/n for this model is: NB231UA#ABA

And I'm not looking for XP, I would prefer Windows 7. But I was able to make the recovery disks, so if worse came to worse, I could always return to Vista I guess.

According to product number NB231UA#ABA, your laptop is a HP Pavilion dv7-1245dx model.

Here is the HP support site for it.

According to its product specifications section, it came with Windows Vista Home Premium SP1(64-bit) pre-installed.

It supposedly came with these devices:

AMD Turion X2 RM-72 dual core 2.10 GHz processor

4096 MB(4 GB) of RAM

320 GB 5400 rpm hard drive

ATI Radeon HD3200 RS780M graphics

IDT high definition audio

Realtek RTL8168C/8111C/8102E ethernet

Broadcom 4321AG/4322AG 802.11a/b/g wireless

Synaptics touchpad

A recovery disc kit for that model laptop can be purchased here for $27.00 plus shipping.

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[IronTailFratley2]

Update:

I have been able to create the original recovery discs (that would restore to factory settings including Vista) and have also located and re-downloaded the Windows 7 upgrade .iso.

Can I simply burn the .iso to a disc, run the recovery, and afterward perform the Windows 7 upgrade using this disc? Or will I not be able to because of some limit on using the upgrade? I have the original product key, but I'm not sure if it's single use and will prevent me from using it a second time on the same computer.

[TerryNet]

Can I simply burn the .iso to a disc, run the recovery, and afterward perform the Windows 7 upgrade using this disc?

That's the procedure Microsoft recommends. The product key is good for the life of the computer.

[IronTailFratley2]

Originally Posted by TerryNet

That's the procedure Microsoft recommends. The product key is good for the life of the computer.

Thanks so much, I appreciate it. That's what I'll do then.