HP 6730b Recovery Partition Problem

[Nickerzzzzz]

Hi, hope someone can offer some advice/help here :-(

Problem...
When using the F11 option to recover Windows Vista Business from the recovery partition I get the following error message...

Windows Boot Manager
Status: 0xc000000f
Info: The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible

This was brought on by myself because I wanted to re-partition the hard drive and install/multi boot XP, Vista and Ubuntu, this went fine but I now need to recover the hard drive to its original state!

I pre-empted this and took a copy of the 3 original partitions using Acronis True Image.

Once the 3 images are restored I can boot into the original O/S and all partitions are available with all the relevant files...But at boot time F11 will not work to recover the system to its Factory state!

I think its a corrupt or missing boot sector and I don't quite know if this can be fixed or bypassed, or is it possible to boot and execute the HP image (HP_WINRE) somehow?

Thanks in antisipation

 

[kjv1611]

I think this might work for you:

1. Use a bootfix type utility to correct the issue - this might be the least time-consuming, so I might would try that first.

If that doesn't work:
2. If you have a copy of the recovery partition on another hard drive, go ahead and totally wipe this drive clean.
- once the drive is wiped, move the recovery partition back to the disk.
- Attempt to boot into the recovery mode.
- If can't boot, then try the one, or a couple boot fix utilities at this point.

If those don't work, don't give up hope. I know there's a way, I just can't think off the top of my head. I've restored newer Vista recovery partitions in similar situations to what you have, and I've also done the same with really old XP ones, even. I'm talking really old - like XP must've just come out when the machine was built old.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[Nickerzzzzz]

Ok, thanks for the Info, sorry for the late reply on this, I managed to trash my main pc with a similar problem which I'll post a new thread about later as its still got problems :-(
.
I have used Partition Table Doctor and took the option to fixboot on partition 3 (E which holds the Recovery files, but it said it was ok, and on reboot I had the same problem as before when choosing F11.
.
I have been looking at bcdedit and think this partition is a ramdisk setup although bcdedit does not show this in its output.
.
Not quite sure where to go with this now, still messing with bcdedit etc and taking backups of everything before making any changes.
.
Disk/Partition info...
.
Disk 0 - C: (VISTA) 139 GB NTFS - D: (HP_TOOLS) 1 GB FAT - E: (HP_RECOVERY) 9 GB NTFS
.
This is my original bcdedit output/config and what I have in place at the moment...
.
C:\windows\system32>bcdedit /enum /v

Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier {9dea862c-5cdd-4e70-acc1-f32b344d4795}
device partition=C:
description Windows Boot Manager
locale en-US
inherit {7ea2e1ac-2e61-4728-aaa3-896d9d0a9f0e}
default {28e82bda-0b9a-11dd-aaaf-aa39e00f7154}
displayorder {28e82bda-0b9a-11dd-aaaf-aa39e00f7154}
toolsdisplayorder {b2721d73-1db4-4c62-bf78-c548a880142d}
timeout 30

Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {28e82bda-0b9a-11dd-aaaf-aa39e00f7154}
device partition=C:
path \windows\system32\winload.exe
description Microsoft Windows Vista
locale en-US
inherit {6efb52bf-1766-41db-a6b3-0ee5eff72bd7}
recoverysequence {572bcd55-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d}
recoveryenabled Yes
osdevice partition=C:
systemroot \windows
resumeobject {28e82bdb-0b9a-11dd-aaaf-aa39e00f7154}
nx OptIn

C:\windows\system32>
.
Regards

 

[kjv1611]

Hmm, I wonder if you tried using one of the Boot Managers on the disk, if that would do better?

Boot Managers
Smart BootManager
Gujin
GAG
XOSL
Super Grub Disk

I think the latter may be the best choice. If it's the same as the Grub loader in Linux, it's a very popular one, b/c of it's ease of use.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[Nickerzzzzz]

Great idea that, hopefully I'll get chance to try that tonight.
.
I'm also considering deleting/re-creating the Vista booloader Store completely and adding just an entry for the ramdisk, but not quite sure what values/path to set yet, I think the file it should call has an sdi extention which exists on the recovery partition.
.
Will try your boot manager suggestion first tho.
.
Thanks again for your input on this.

 

[tlcscousin]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927391

This knowledge base article describes repairing or rebuildiing BCEDIT.

 

[Nickerzzzzz]

Hi, didn't get anywhere with Grub, tried it but didn't really know what I was doing, I managed to select and take the option to boot the problem partition but I got the same original error.
.
Will look at it again once I have read up (unless you can instruct me), going to flip between this and bcdedit, its getting very time consuming and can be a very slow process if I screw the partition as I have to re-apply the image which is taking the time, will persevere tho.
.
Thanks for the info, any additions greatly received

 

[kjv1611]

Also, another thing to seriously consider: In the long run, will it be worth all this time in order to skip a clean install? It may end up being better to do that if you don't get it fixed soon. Just my thought, anyway. Of course, it'll be a learning experience either way.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[Nickerzzzzz]

Yes I hear what your saying but it has become a bit of a challenge/obsession now and if I fix this one then I will be able to fix my other one with a similar problem and get my head round this whole partition addressing/config thing.
.
The main reason is this is a New laptop which I wish to return or sell on so idealy I would like to get it back to the factory settings with the recovery partition in place.
.
Tomorrow is another day ;-)

 

[kjv1611]

I can't remember whether or not this has been mentioned yet, so please forgive me if it has.

Here's what I'd try next if you want to try and flat correct the issue:
[OL][LI]Use a partition backup app (any form Ultimate Boot CD, Acronis TrueImage, or Norton Ghost - I overally prefer Acronis TrueImage) to backup the whole hard drive - all partitions - to another computer, to image files.[/LI]
[LI]Once that's complete, wipe the drive totally on the problem machine with either DBAN (Darik's Boot 'n' Nuke), or Active KillDisk. I believe both are already on the UltimateBootCD. This part will take a while.[/LI]
[LI]Once that's finished, then you know EVERYTHING is gone off of the drive, so whatever is causing the problem - if it is software - is gone.[/LI]
[LI]Now connect the hard drive back to the system where the backup is placed (if the system is running, and you're connecting directly to the mainboard, be sure the power is off first).[/LI]
[LI]Use the same partition/backup program to restore the Recovery partition ONLY.[/LI]
[LI]Power down your backup system if need be.[/LI]
[LI]Disconnect the hard drive from the backup system, and reinstall it in the ailing PC.[/LI]
[LI]Attempt to Boot.[/LI]
[LI]If it fails to boot, first use one of the BootFix type programs on the UltimateBootCD to try and get the system to boot to the restore partition.[/LI]
[LI]If that doesn't work, take the same hard drive back out, reconnect to the backup system, and restore the MBR (Master Boot Record) from the backup - assuming your program of choice supports that as well as the "normal" partitions.[/LI]
[LI]Put the hard drive back in the system[/LI]
[LI]Try to Boot again.[/LI]
[LI]If it doesn't work this time, try a boot correction application again[/LI]
[LI]If that doesn't work, you'll have to manually edit the boot settings, or else give up on the pipe dream. [/LI][/OL]

Unless you have a system you KNOW you can connect your problem drive(s) to in order to back up the partitions, then I suggest you should spend a little money and pick up a USB to hard drive adapter.

This is the USB hard drive adapter I use all the time. It supports IDE 2.5, IDE 3.5 and SATA (SATA doesn't matter whether 1.8,2.5,3.5, they all connect the same, thankfully):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812156102

$23

You may can find it cheaper elsewhere at the moment, but I know you can find it there, and you won't find it MUCH cheaper elsewhere. Also, I know this one works. However, others have had success with some others, so if you'd rather shop around, by all means. Just pick you up a USB to IDE/SATA adapter. Some offer better support than others. I generally have excellent results with this one, and I actually personally own 3. I'm bad about misplacing things, so having more than one means I only have to find 1 out of the 3!

Also, a worthwhile investment for you would be Acronis TrueImage - I think it's arguably better than anything else:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832200007

$25

Oh, and by the way, I'm just now thinking... I've noticed NewEgg's prices have seemed to inch up on practically everything I've looked at in the past couple weeks. I suppose they're doing that, like many if not all other retailers, so that the sales on "Black Friday" look better than they actually are. But I can guarantee you they WILL have some good deals, if they hold to their historical sales. Usually by the time I get around to looking/browsing, half or most of the sale stuff is flat sold out anyway!

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[Nickerzzzzz]

Hi

My original backup was using Acronis and I made separate Images of the 3 original partitions, these were placed onto an external usb drive and were also verified using the Acronis software.
.
The only thing I have not tried is completely wiping the drive...as I understand it, when you restore a partition using Acronis it restores the whole partition including any mbr so I'm a little confussed as to why you think a complete wipe of the drive would benefit (buy I'll try anything twice to get over this problem!).
.
I have tried restoring the Recovery partition only but didn't get anywhere originally, however I didn't try the boot fix so I will give this a go.
.
I don't think Acronis lets you restore just the mbr, I think its partition only but I will look into this.
.
I will also look at Ultimatebootcd.
.
Thanks for your reply and time on this, I will post the outcome once I have tried all your recommendations.
.

 

[kjv1611]

Whenever I've used Acronis to backup a whole hard drive, including the partitions, it also backed up the master boot record. Then in the recovery process, the MBR was a separate option from the other partitions.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[Nickerzzzzz]

What version of Acronis was it?

 

[kjv1611]

You know, I don't even remember. I think I've tried a couple different versions, and had the same result each time. I think the latest one I used was True Image 11 Home.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[Nickerzzzzz]

Hi
Well I have tried all sorts of scenarios but to no avail!
.
My conclusion is that the Recovery partition’s boot record is intact but is pointing to a device/partition that does not exist or is in the wrong place and therefore produces the device inaccessible error.
.
I have used Grub again and tried to boot the Restore partition but get the same original error, I have read allsorts and I’m sure my answer is out there somewhere or there is a work around to Restore the HP Laptop to its Factory setting via the restore partition.
.
I installed Kubuntu as this fixed someone else’s similar issue and once installed it actually found the Restore partition as a Windows install and showed this in the boot menu, on choosing this at boot time it would give exactly the same error as previously experienced “Status: 0x000000f” – “Info: The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible”
.
I am now reading about sdi files and the WinRe stuff, looking at sdimgr and sdi2hd.exe, I am hoping that I can find out what device the boot loader or the sdi file is looking for/pointing to and then create this device/partition.
.
As before any help or ideas Greatly received.
.
Thanks

 

[kjv1611]

You know, this might be a good test for these products:

Terabyte Unlimited BootIt Next Generation:

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootit-next-generation.htm

I know linney swears by their products - at least the Windows imaging product.

And Easy BCD

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,64565/description.html

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[tlcscousin]

Does this path \windows\system32\winload.exe
exist on the C : drive
If you do a search can you find winload.exe and if so can you place it in system32 and then try the recovery.

 

[Nickerzzzzz]

kjv1611
I will look at bootit but I fear it will just give the same rsults as the other boot managers I have tried, and I have used easy bcd...again to no avail.
.
tlcscousin
Yes the path/exe exists and it boots from the C:\ drive into Vista no problem, its when I try to use F11 to boot into the recovery partition that things go wrong :-(

 

[tlcscousin]

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c00809678&product=18703

Is the document on HP site for the recovery.They also link to the recovery disk ordering page.

Did you delete the HP recovery partition?

 

[Nickerzzzzz]

Hi tlcscousin

That link is for installs that are bundled with the HP recovery manager, whereby you create recovery cd's/dvd's, this laptop does not have that feature (my previous laptop did), there is only the F11 option at boot time which I think is supposed to recover the system to its original factory setting using the recovery partition, I backed up/Imaged this partition (plus the other two partitions) with Acronis, I then formated the drive and instaled a new OS, but now I want to revert by restoring the backup image of the recovery partition and getting it back to a factory state but as you can see from the previous posts nothing seems to work.