Machine: G42-415DX Notebook PC
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Model: HP G42 Notebook PC
ProductID: XZ046UA#ABA
Serial Number: CNF0496ZHP
Downloaded some Microsoft Updates and then the system started freezing. Researched the issue; used FixIt and the program had me do all the updates first. Coaxed the machine throught he updates. The machine freezes about two-minutes after startup. If I do not log in, the machine will freeze with the log in screen showing.
Discovered the onboard HP Diagnostics and ran them. The diagnostics indicated the memory was good, but the hard drive was bad. Replace the hard drive with replacement from HP site. Old hard drive had 320 GB New hard drive has 500 GB.
Also purchased the Systemn Recovery DVD for this machine.
Installed the new hard drive and ran the System Recovery DVD. The System Recovery runs through the first 2 disks OK (1 of 2 and 2 of 2). After the 2 disks, it asks for the last disk (Application and Driver Recovery CD). This disk seems to load OK (the machine auto-ejects it and the load process continues), but at the end, when prompt comes up to restart the machine to complete the installation, the system is unresponsive to touch-pad, keyboard, etc. (no mouse connected). Had to use power button to get control.
When I started the machine again, it came up but says the the installation did not complete, and that I needed to reload windows.
Reloaded Windows again, re-running the whole three-disk set again. The last app that loaded was the CyberLink, and then the prompt to restart, and the machine was frozen again.
In summary, after replacing the 320 GB hard drive with a 500 GB one, and running System Recovery, the machine will freeze when running at the end of the System Recovery (Application and Driver Recovery).