Well on the Bios screen is says press F11 for system Recovery so I think I'm pressing the right key, but I'll give it a try. Also, tlarkin, I don't think the linux got rid of the recovery partition because that is a read only drive, you can't change anything on it so that's why I don't think thats what happened.
no but linux could have over written the boot sector of the drive, which could have contained the loader for the recovery partition. Recovery partitions suck, and I hate them, the manufacturer should just give all their customer's restore CDs.
ok, so if that did happen by chance. my only way arround it is to buy a full version OS correct?
ok tlarkin, I'm assuming you haven't read the whole thread( I know its pretty long). I ordered the restore cd's and they came yesterday. I put them in, and nothing happens, I just get to a black screen with a blinking cursor and then after about 20 seconds it goes to the grub loader and launches linux. I talked with an HP tech last night and they are sending me new cd's, so maybe that'll fix it, but I doubt it.
ok, I understand you can't get every detail, I've tried a lot of stuff over the last 4-5 days to get this thing running. The computer runs off the linux live cd with no problem so it's gotta be the restore cd's. Like it was stated earlier in this thread, Hp's can be a bitch to get restored, so thats most likely my problem, hopefully the next shipment of cd's(should be at my door step by around 2:30pm tomorrow) will work.
. Also, I have Windows Vista first on the grub list so it automatically tries to boot into Vista before launching linux.title Windows Vista
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
makeactive
chainloader +1
maybe you had a bad mobo to begin with. Linux can be forgiving and run on systems with hardware problems. The problem with your motherboard could have also been a very slight defect, not causing any obvious problems but could have failed a diagnostics test.
I feel your pain about not having your computer my guess is that a part is back ordered and that is why its taking longer for the repair. I would calmly tell them you need your computer for whatever reason (work, student, etc) and that you are not able to do your work with out it. If you get all pissy and yell you might get no where.
well, any PC you buy loses its value very quickly no matter what you get. In fact the only computer's that really hold any resell value are Macintosh ones.
In some cases they will upgrade you for free if its mission critical. I have seen companies do it before. It doesn't hurt to ask.