Trying to reformat Compaq Presario CQ50

According to the manual, only certain models had a recovery partition. The manual covers F11 recovery partition procedures for Windows VISTA, but not for Windows 7. If the unit has an SSD installed, it probably does not have a recovery partition. In that case you should use your recovery disks. These are the disks you were told to create at the time you purchased your PC. You can only make one set of recovery disks with the software provided, but they are only intended to allow you to restore the factory image should it become necessary. Many people do not read their manuals or the setup tutorials and fail to create these disks. Then, later, when they need them they are not available. If you don't have the recovery partition, and don't have recovery disks, then you have a problem. You will need to reload the OS manually, and then download and install the hardware drivers from the Compaq support site. Getting the OS disk will be the tricky part.

Your Compaq computer includes a recovery partition that allows you to restore your operating system in the event you get a virus or your hard drive crashes. Use the Compaq Recovery Manager to restore the computer to the factory operating condition. Only use the recovery method as a final step in the troubleshooting process as all the software and personal files stored to the computer's hard drive will be erased.

Click the "Start" icon and type "recovery" into the "Start Search" field. Click the "Recovery Manager" option that appears in the list of results. Click "Advanced Options," and click the "System Recovery" option. Click "Next" and the computer will restart into the recovery mode. Click the "System Recovery" option and click "Next." Click "Next" in the "System Recovery" window to launch the recovery process. The partition will reformat your hard drive and restore your Windows Vista operating system to the original condition
HP Support document System Restores
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c00809678

Since you upgraded to Windows 7 the recovery partition on your hard drive is deleted. You will need to order the Recovery Disc From HP

Forward me the Product # and Serial # of your computer I will give you the link to order Recovery Disks

Go and buy XP sp3 from a geniue computer seller office

Preforming a system recovery to return the computer to its original condition may be necessary if the operating system is damaged, or the hard drive is corrupted, or the computer is infected by a virus.

___Also look this> HP expanded the battery pack recall on May 19, 2010. Click here to validate your battery. Performing a system recovery removes all software and files saved to the hard drive, reinstalls the original operating system, and then configures the settings for the default programs. Since the merger of Compaq and HP, several different recovery tools and processes Names for these tools include: Recovery Solution, Recovery Manager, F11, Recovery Disc, Driver and Application Recovery Disc, Roxio BackOntrack, Microsoft Backup & Restore. have been provided for recovering notebook PCs to their original operating condition. To help you select the correct recovery process, the table below identifies the different models, the time frame when they were produced and sold, plus the originally configured operating systems. Click on the name of the document in the right column for detailed information. Choose the Correct Recovery Process for Your Notebook Notebook description Recovery procedure information HP and Compaq Notebook PCs and Mini PCs shipped with a Windows 7 operating system. Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery HP and Compaq PCs using the Microsoft recovery feature for Windows 7 instead of an HP solution. Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using Microsoft Windows Backup and Restore Presario, Pavilion, and HP Compaq Business PCs shipped with a Windows Vista operating system. Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery HP and Compaq PCs using the Microsoft recovery feature for Vista instead of an HP solution. Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using Microsoft Windows Backup and Restore HP and Compaq Mini with Windows XP using the HP solution. Recover Windows XP Operating System On Mini Notebook Using HP Recovery HP and Compaq Mini with Windows XP using the Roxio recovery feature instead of the HP solution. Recover Windows XP Operating System Using Roxio BackOn Track HP and Compaq Mini with Mobile Internet Environment (MIE ). Recover Windows MIE Operating System On Mini Notebook Using HP Recovery Presario, Pavilion, and HP Compaq Business PCs manufactured and sold in 2006 or later . Recover Windows XP Operating System Using HP Recovery (2006 or Later)

Presario and Pavilion PCs manufactured from 2001 and 2005 . Recover Windows XP Operating System Using XP Operating System Discs (2001 to 2005)

And

Recover Applications Using Drivers and Applications Recovery Disc (2001 to 2005) Pavilion PCs with Windows Media Center edition of XP manufactured from 2001 to 2005 . Recover Windows XP Media Center Edition Operating System on HP Pavilion PCs Using HP Recovery (2001 to 2005) Compaq Presario PCs supplied with a Compaq Recovery CD and manufactured from 2001 to 2005 . Recover Windows XP Operating System on Compaq Presario PCs Using HP Recovery (2001 to 2005) Omnibook and certain Pavilion PCs manufactured pre-2001 . Recover Windows XP Operating System and Applications on HP Omnibook and Pavilion models Using HP Recovery (Pre 2001)

Normally during the early start sequence (when the laptop displays the Compaq logo), you will need to press F9, F10 or F11 repeatedly (model varies)
Some also require you to hold the key down before you press the power button, then release it after the laptop has finished displaying the Compaq logo.
Hope that helps.
If you are still lost, post back.
Peter

hi sir..There's a formatting option available during the install. Just boot from the Vista CD and select the partition where the old installation is. Windows will do the formatting for you. if you don't have vista you can download it from the following site and then boot your system
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Others/Signatures-Updates/Windows-Vista-Service-Pack-2.shtml

If it is original laptop with preinstalled Windows Vista then your product key is underneath on sticker. Just flip over your laptop.

It will restore everything back to factory settings like it just came out of the box. Try the F11 like i suggested.

If you've upgraded from xp or another earlier version of Windows, you cannot do a recovery. Recovery only works on recovering the present system.
If you have upgraded I would suggest saving off all your important files to a DVD, flash drive or onto another partition and then format and reinstall xp or whatever you had before.