[emptypockets1]

Hi y'all.  I've been working a lady's laptop that was brought to me in sorry, sorry shape (full of junk such as toolbars out the ying yang, P2Ps, malware, trojans, etc.).  I've finally got it to a stage where I can, at least navigate around on it.

 

I found in BIOS that the original OS is supposed to be Vista, but this baby has Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit with the Microsoft COA partially torn off.  Methinks someone is trying to pull a fast one for nothing moneywise.

 

My real problem is that I can't get f11 Recovery to work.  There is no Recovery Mgr. in Programs List because, if I understand correctly, the f11 Recovery should do a recovery back to just like she came out of the box (which is what I'm trying to do).

 

I've tapped f11 til I'm tapped out, ctrl + f11, fn + f11--al to no avail.  Disk Management shows the System Reserved partition to be healthy and active (but, at this stage, who knows for sure).  I've run full system scans (not quick scans) and removed GBs of trash with:

Malwarebytes

Spybot S&D

Spywareblaster

Spywarehunter 4

online Trenmicro Housecall

Avast Free 2016 (which I installed myself as all it had when I got it was MS Security Essentials)

 

I've read as many suggestions for a fix that work for everyone else, but not here.  lol  I'm sure I've forgotten to include some pertinent info, so if you need more, I'll be glad to submit it in further posts.

 

Would someone please hold my hand and tell me what I'm doing wrong?  I'd appreciate it, and thank you in advance if a pc guru can help me solve this.  (If it was possible to get away with it, I'd have already kicked this one to the curb, but I want to figure the problem out so I can use the solution on the next one that comes to me--if I decide to even work on one of these again).

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If the original hard drive contained a factory recovery partition and the hard drive has been replaced, or repartitioned, or the original recovery partition was deleted somehow, then the F11 factory recovery would no longrer be an option because the recovery data is no longer available on the hard drive.

[SpywareDr]

If the original hard drive contained a factory recovery partition and the hard drive has been replaced, or repartitioned, or the original recovery partition was deleted somehow, then the F11 factory recovery would no longrer be an option because the recovery data is no longer available on the hard drive.

[emptypockets1]

Thanks SpywareDr.  I'm aware of that, but none of those situations apply.

[SpywareDr]

Can you see the partition?

 

What make/model laptop?

[emptypockets1]

Yes sir, I can see the partition in Disk Management and also when I boot with GParted disk.

 

Disk Management:

Disk 0

100MB NTFS (used space=30.1MB)

Healthy (System, Active, Primaray Partition)

Right click that partition and "Make Partition As Active" is grayed out

 

Sorry about that.  I knew I'd forget something important:

 

Compaq Presario CQ60-419WM

 

Hope that helps some

[SpywareDr]

Windows 7, 8, and 10 create a special "System Reserved" partition that's usually around 100 MB. What is the System Reserved Partition and Can You Delete It?
 

[Ztruker]

Can you post a screen shot of a full screen Disk Management window with all fields expanded so they can be read?
 
To open Disk Management, press Windows key+r, type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter or click GO. Make it full screen. Expand the fields as necessary so everything can be seen.
 
How to Upload and Post a Screenshot and File in Seven Forums

I don't see a recovery partition in what you listed.

 

Also, run ShowkeyPlus to get the current installation key and some other useful info. SHould look something like this:

 

 

Notice the keys are ****ed out. Just click on each key shown and the program will do that for you. Do this before you post a screen capture of the ShowkeyPlus window please.

[emptypockets1]

SpywareDr, yes, in my last post the System Reserved partition is 100MB.

 

Ztruker, I think I'm learning something already after reading your post.  I don't see a Recovery partition--just a System Reserved partition. Now, let me see if my feeble mind can follow your instructions to get a couple of screenshots for you.  Bear with me--I'm a newbie at this screenshot thingy.  lol

 

 

 

Don't know if this is gonna fly or not--no paper clip icon in toolbar, so I did the best I could with the paper clip icon at the bottom of this reply.

 

Edit: I removed most of the key. Should never be posted in a public forum - Z

[Ztruker]

I think it's the E: partition even though it's not labeled Recovery.

 

Save the key from ShowkeyPlus as it's the used to install Win 7 Ultimate. You may need it if you have to reinstall.

[Ztruker]

According to the Maintenance and Repair guide:

 

[Ztruker]

I think your only out at this point is to save her data then try a Repair Install. If that works you won't lose here data and will have to reinstall some software, anti-virus for sure. If a Repair Install doesn't do the job then you will have to do a Clean Install.
 
Repair Install
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

If you look at the E: drive, what is on it?

[emptypockets1]

Ztruker, thanks for the reply.

1. Therre is no Recovery Mgr. in All Programs

2. On boot up, f11 simply won't work

3. I'm not concerned about savng her data. I'm trying to do a System Recovey back to Vista because the BIOS shows that OS as the one that's supposed to be in here in the firrst place, rather than Win 7 Ultimate. The MS COA has been partiallly torn off which leads me to think that this Win 7 isn't kosher. (maybe pirated???)

4. I don't see an E:\ drive anywhere on here--not in Win Explorer, nor Disk Management, nor wth a GParted disk

5. Thanks for remindng me--I did write down the Wn 7 key just for giggles

Question: Do you think the System Reserved partition in Disk Management is the Recovery partition, or is it a completely different animal altogether? I sure don't know 'cuz this is all new to me

Queston: If we would happen to get lucky and get f11 Recovery to work, would the install of Vista ask for a product key? If so, I'd have both oars out of the water 'cuz the only key I have is the one for Win 7 Ultimate, and that sure an't gonna fly. lol

I don't have access to a Vista disk, or I'd clean her old craw out and install the needed drivers separately. At this point, I'm leaning toward letting her have it back, as is. I do have it in a useable state and free of junk, and I don't like the idea of monkeying around with an "iffy" situation such as this.

If things were perfect, Id like to make the laptop legit for the customer, and know that I've learned somethng for the next one lke ths.

[Ztruker]

From a Command Prompt, enter slmgr /xpr. If it says permanently activated then the Ultimate is good so stay with it.

 

You can download Win 7 from either of the following:

 

See here: Download Windows 7 ISOs, Legally and for Free

Also available here: Microsoft DigitalRiver Mirror (Technet)

[emptypockets1]

Hey thanks Z. CMD says she's good, and the links for the ISOs are a gold mine for me.

Again, many thanks. You're a gentleman and a scholar.

[Ztruker]

That's good news. Good luck.