Startup disks don't match computer

I bought a desktop HP Pavilion a few years back from Office Depot. They MADE the startup disks for me. Now I have a new hard drive and I put in the first of the startup disks, and it whirred around for awhile, looking as if it was doing something, and then I got the message that the startup disks didn't go with the computer.
I have an external hard drive and Carbonite backup to this hard drive which takes snapshots of the system and the files are backed up to their web site. So far, they haven't been able to restore my system from that external hard drive, so I am up to their highest level of engineering support trying to figure out how to get the operating system from the external hard drive to my new hard drive.
HP support wants to charge me $150 to access my external hard drive to get at the operating system, but Carbonite says HP won't be able to do that because the external hard drive has Carbonite's proprietary software on it which HP technicians won't be able to bypass.
The model number of my computer is m94021. The operating system I had on it is Microsoft Windows 7 Professional.

@michaelmasdaisy
Welcome to the HP Community Forum.
I am sorry find yourself in this unfortunate situation.
I can offer the following:
ComputerSurgeons.com specializes in providing HP Recovery Kits for Vintage HP computers.
There is a Recovery kit available for your computer with the original Vista Operating System that matches your computer's Product Number FQ512AA
Recovery Kit NE539AV For HP Model Number m9402f
There is an 800 number you can call with any questions.
Disclaimer: I do not work for, nor do I have any profession or personal relationship with ComputerSurgeons.com -- I am providing the information as a courtesy.
========================================================================
Your computer's HP Support Website:
HP Pavilion Elite m9402f Desktop PC
Assuming that your Backup company can then assist in the Recovery of your personal data, this may be sufficient to get headed in the right direction.
I understand you might have liked better to have Windows 7 -- but at least this is a working Operating System and it gives you a place to start.
Click the Kudos Thumbs-Up to say Thank You!
And...Click Accept as Solution when my Answer provides a Fix or Workaround!
I am pleased to provide assistance on behalf of HP. I do not work for HP.
Kind Regards,
Dragon-Fur

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If this answered your question please consider granting some stars: Why reward points?

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If this answered your question please consider granting some stars: Why reward points?
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http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1564
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455

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Startup disks don't match computer

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