Attempted system recovery on HP a1540n. Only option allowed was to format hard drive. Computer now stops at splash screen. Boy, I need help. Thank You, Gordon

hay i found this hope it helps

Click Start and enter Recovery in the search field. Select Recovery Manager from the list when it becomes available. Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.
Alternately, click Start , All Programs , Recovery Manager , and then Recovery Manager . Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.

Click Advanced options , System recovery , and then click Next . The PC will restart and reopen the recovery manager.
Alternately, if Advanced options is disabled, click Next , and then System Recovery . The PC will restart.

When the PC restarts, select the System recovery option and click Next .

If prompted to use the Microsoft System Restore program, click No , and then click Next .

When prompted, select the Back up your files first (recommended) option, and then click Next. Follow the on-screen instructions.

When prompted to Recover without backing up your files , please STOP before clicking Next .
WARNING: This is the final opportunity to change your mind about recovering the PC and deleting all the files and programs. Once you click Next , the restore process cannot be stopped

If you are satisfied that you want to begin the recover process, click Next . The PC immediately begins formatting the hard drive and destroying all data.

or try here
HP PCs Performing an HP system recovery Windows 7

Paul,
The driver for the HDD is actually built into the HDD. Windows 7 contains a driver to communicate with the drive. If you have a backed up copy of your operating system (created by you on DVD's or CD's when you purchased the machine) then you have all you need to do a complete erasing of the hard disk and restoring it to the way it was when you purchased it (all your added data and programs will be lost).

Performing a system restore:

HP Recovery Manager software allows you to repair or restore the computer to its original factory state. HP Recovery Manager works from recovery discs, a recovery flash drive, or from a dedicated
recovery partition (select models only) on the hard drive. NOTE: A system restore needs to be performed if the computer hard drive has failed or if all attempts to correct any functional computer issues fail. A system restore should be used as a final attempt to correct computer issues.
Note the following when performing a system restore:

You can restore only the system that you have previously backed up. HP recommends that you use Recovery Manager to create either a set of recovery discs or a recovery flash drive as soon as you set up the computer.

Windows has its own built-in repair features, such as System Restore. If you have not already tried these features, try them before using HP Recovery Manager.

HP Recovery Manager restores only software that was preinstalled at the factory. Software not provided with this computer must be downloaded from the manufacturer's Web site or reinstalled
from the disc provided by the manufacturer.

Restoring using the dedicated recovery partition (select models only)

When using the dedicated recovery partition, there is an option to back up pictures, music and other audio, videos and movies, recorded TV shows, documents, spreadsheets and presentations, e-mails,
Internet favorites and settings during this process.

To restore the computer from the recovery partition, follow these steps:

1. Access HP Recovery Manager in either of the following ways:

Select Start > All Programs > HP > HP Recovery Manager > HP Recovery Manager.

- or -

Turn on or restart the computer, and then press esc while the "Press the ESC key for Startup Menu" message is displayed at the bottom of the screen. Then, press f11 while the "F11 (System Recovery)" message is displayed on the screen.

2. Click System Recovery in the HP Recovery Manager window.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Restoring using the restore media

1. If possible, back up all personal files.

2. Insert the first recovery disc into the optical drive on your computer or an optional external optical drive, and then restart the computer.
- or -
Insert the recovery flash drive into a USB port on your computer, and then restart the computer.
NOTE: If the computer does not automatically restart in the HP Recovery Manager, the computer boot order needs to be changed.

3. Press f9 at system bootup.

4. Select the optical drive or the flash drive.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Hope this helps you out.
Al

Restoring an HP computer to factory settings requires that you do a system recovery.
There are two types of recovery for HP computers: destructive and non-destructive.

Destructive recovery will reformat your hard drive, destroying all data and reinstalling the operating system and additional software according to the factory configuration.

Non-destructive, or "system," recovery will repair your Windows installation, replacing any damaged or missing system files and restoring the registry to the factory setting.

Non-destructive recovery is the best option if you are unable to back up your user data before running system recovery.Restoring with CDs


Back up all crucial user files if you are able to do so. If your computer will not burn CDs, use flash drives of 4GB or higher to store your data.

Alternatively, you can use your network to transfer files.
You can then back up your data to CDs at your leisure.

Detach peripheral devices such as removable media drives, USB drives and your printer before recovering.

Also remove any additional hard drives by disconnecting the cable from the back of the computer.
Leave your monitor, mouse and keyboard attached to the computer.

Shut down your computer.
Place the first recovery CD in the CD drive.

If your recovery files are written on a partition, you may be able to select system recovery from the splash screen and your computer starts.
Select the recovery option you would like to use.
To perform a destructive recovery, click the "Advanced" menu option.

Select "Destructive Recovery" and click "Next."
To perform a non-destructive, or system, recovery, click "Next" from the opening screen.
Watch the computer while it is recovering to the factory settings.
Watch for any errors, as the computer will wait indefinitely for a response from you, slowing down recovery time.

Also, you may need to insert additional recovery CDs as the recovery program requests them. Restoring With Recovery Manager

Click the Windows "Start" menu, type "Recovery" in the Search field and press "Enter."
Click "Advanced Options," choose "System Recovery" and select "Next."
If you are prompted to use Microsoft's recovery program, select "No."
Choose the option to back up your files, if you haven't done it already.
Once that is complete, choose "Next" to begin reformatting the drive and returning the system to factory settings. http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-Systems-and/How-do-I-RESTORE-my-system-to-the-original-factory-settings/td-p/50113

Step 1:
Which operating system ?
Restore Hp laptop factory settings without a Restore Disc Turn on the HP laptop. When the blue HP screen appears, press the "F10" key repeatedly until the "Recovery Menu" appears. A progress indicator informs you of the time before the recovery process is to take place. Click "Next" in the Recovery Menu. Decide whether you want to perform a nondestructive or destructive recovery. A "nondestructive recovery" does not format the laptop's hard drive or erase any personal files on your laptop. However, a "destructive recovery" formats your laptop's hard drive and erases any personal files you have on your laptop. Click "Yes" to execute a "Normal, nondestructive recovery." The restore process begins and your laptop restarts. Alternatively, to execute a destructive recovery, click "Advanced." Click "Yes" to start the "Destructive recovery." The restore process begins and your laptop restarts.

Restoring with CDs Back up all crucial user files if you are able to do so. If your computer will not burn CDs, use flash drives of 4GB or higher to store your data. Alternatively, you can use your network to transfer files. You can then back up your data to CDs at your leisure. Detach peripheral devices such as removable media drives, USB drives and your printer before recovering. Also remove any additional hard drives by disconnecting the cable from the back of the computer. Leave your monitor, mouse and keyboard attached to the computer. Shut down your computer. Place the first recovery CD in the CD drive. If your recovery files are written on a partition, you may be able to select system recovery from the splash screen and your computer starts. Select the recovery option you would like to use. To perform a destructive recovery, click the "Advanced" menu option. Select "Destructive Recovery" and click "Next." To perform a non-destructive, or system, recovery, click "Next" from the opening screen. Watch the computer while it is recovering to the factory settings. Watch for any errors, as the computer will wait indefinitely for a response from you, slowing down recovery time. Also, you may need to insert additional recovery CDs as the recovery program requests them. b> Restoring With Recovery Manager Click the Windows "Start" menu, type "Recovery" in the Search field and press "Enter." Click "Advanced Options," choose "System Recovery" and select "Next." If you are prompted to use Microsoft's recovery program, select "No." Choose the option to back up your files, if you haven't done it already. Once that is complete, choose "Next" to begin reformatting the drive and returning the system to factory settings.

Turn on your PC and wait for the "Acer Splash Screen" to appear.

This is the screen that has the Acer logo and is one of the first screens you will see.

Press the "Alt" key and "F10" keys at the same time when you see the splash screen until you are brought to the "Windows eRecovery Options Screen."

Choose the Windows Installation option from the main screen.

You will be prompted so you are aware that all information currently on your drive will be lost.

Choose which Windows Operating system you want to overwrite.

Typically you will only have one Operating System and you can simply press the "1" key.

If you have, for instance, Linux as your first OS and Windows as your second OS, you will need to press the number that corresponds to the OS you are replacing.

Choose to partition your C:/ drive or whichever drive your Windows OS is installed on.

This will completely reformat your drive and install a fresh copy of Windows.

Allow the process to run and your drive will format, and then Windows will reinstall to your computer.

Request a recovery CD from Acer if the Alt + F10 option does not work.

You can find Acer Support Located using this link.

http://www.acersupport.com/desktop/articles/multi_2cdcpr_vt10596.html

You will then follow the exact same steps as listed above after booting the computer with the CD in the drive.

Hope this helps.

Click Start and enter Recovery in the search field. Select Recovery Manager from the list when it becomes available. Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.Alternately, click Start , All Programs , Recovery Manager , and then Recovery Manager . Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.

Click Advanced options , System recovery , and then click Next . The PC will restart and reopen the recovery manager.Alternately, if Advanced options is disabled, click Next , and then System Recovery . The PC will restart.

When the PC restarts, select the System recovery option and click Next .

If prompted to use the Microsoft System Restore program, click No , and then click Next .

When prompted, select the Back up your files first (recommended) option, and then click Next . Follow the on-screen instructions.

When prompted to Recover without backing up your files , please STOP before clicking Next .WARNING:This is the final opportunity to change your mind about recovering the PC and deleting all the files and programs. Once you click Next , the restore process cannot be stopped

If you are satisfied that you want to begin the recover process, click Next . The PC immediately begins formatting the hard drive and destroying all data.

Restore the pc to its original condition with HP Recovery Manager if computer can boot to the Windows desktop. Launch the Recovery manager
Note:Before doing recovery try to back up the important data like pictures and documents.
1.Click Start and enter Recovery in the search field. Select Recovery Manager from the list when it becomes available. Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.
Alternately, click Start , All Programs , Recovery Manager , and then Recovery Manager . Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.
1.Click Advanced options , System recovery , and then click Next . The PC will restart and reopen the recovery manager.
Alternately, if Advanced options is disabled, click Next , and then System Recovery . The PC will restart.
1.When the PC restarts, select the System recovery option and click Next .
1.If prompted to use the Microsoft System Restore program, click No , and then click Next .
1.When prompted, select the Back up your files first (recommended) option, and then click Next . Follow the on-screen instructions.
1.When prompted to Recover without backing up your files , please STOP before clicking Next .
WARNING: This is the final opportunity to change your mind about recovering the PC and deleting all the files and programs. Once you click Next , the restore process cannot be stopped
1.If you are satisfied that you want to begin the recover process, click Next . The PC immediately begins formatting the hard drive and destroying all data.
The recovery process may take up to several hours and will return the PC to its original condition. Any custom settings, drivers, software programs and updates, and/or hardware updates are lost and must be reinstalled.
If the PC cannot launch into Windows, it may still be possible to use the HP Recovery Manager on the hard drive to restore the computer to its original operating condition. The Recovery Manager can be launched during the start up process by following the steps below.

1. Press the Power button to start the PC, and then press the f11 key when the standard BIOS prompts are displayed on the black screen. NOTE: Pressing the f11 key during the startup on a computer with an HP factory image will start the system recovery process even if the prompt is not displayed.
   • If the HP Recovery Manager can access the recovery partition on the hard drive, a prompt to backup the user files before beginning the recovery is displayed. Follow any on-screen instructions.
   • If the HP Recovery Manager cannot access the hard drive to fix any system errors, you will need to use the personalized recovery disc that you created to recover the hard drive to its original condition.
   • If you have not created the personalized recovery disc, or the discs are corrupted, you can order a replacement recovery disc from HP.
2. When the Recovery Manager starts, follow the instructions.

Sometimes it is easier to install a new hard disk and reinstall Windows.
Then either connect the old hard drive as a slave drive (don't forget to set the jumper on this drive as a slave). The other way is to connect the old hard drive to a USB hard drive adapter and connect it to a working computer's USB port. this computer will see it as an external hard drive (provided the hard drive is still functioning).
Either way you can download and backup your files.

Without CD's, if the Original Windows XP that came with the computer is the one installed, you can completely format and reinstall the Operating System with all the default software that came with the computer suing the System Recovery Option built in to the hard drive on the recovery partition.

Right after you power your computer on, start tapping the F11 button. After the Compaq splash screen disappears, the computer should take you to the System Recovery screen where you can choose to completely Recover your computer back to system defaults. I tried to condense the steps listed on HP's website so they wouldn't be asdf confusing. Here's the link for all the recovery options: http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&taskId=115&prodSeriesId=1847962&prodTypeId=321957&objectID=c00608578

Go to the section named: Reinstall the operating system using the advanced recovery options

Here's the basic Recovery Steps without disks:
Plug in AC Adapter
Power on your computer
Right after you turn the computer on, repeatedly tap the F11 button
After the Compaq screen disappears, the System Recovery Screen should appear shortly after. Stop tapping F11 when you see this screen
Choose to do a System Recover and click next
Check if next screen has "Advanced Options" to choose from near the top.
If it doesn't, click next, and hopefully the next screen will have "Advanced Options"
Click Advanced Options then choose Destructive Recovery
This will do a FULL FORMAT of the computer and reinstall the Operating System and default software that came with the computer. (Note: this will wipe out all data you have saved on your computer)
Click Next with Destructive Recovery selected.
Reboot the computer when the computer prompts you to reboot
Process may take approx. an hour I believe. DO NOT shut off the computer while the process is running.

Hope this helped, read up about it on HP's website from the link I provided and post back and let us know if this worked for you.

It's very possible that your hard drive has failed, and the recovery is stopping because it's unable to read/write to/from the drive. Try a new hard drive.