Please insert external storage media

[tltreadway]

I was trying to do an update on windows 10 which I had upgraded to earlier in the year and it was taking forever. Then my laptop shut down and I expected it to restart and it didn't. So I  restarted it then myself after waiting a while, the hp logo appears with the little dots circling, then a flash of a box in upper left hand corner then it disappears, then it returns to a screen the same color the hp logo was on but with an error box which states "Please insert the external storage media and press ok". I inserted the jump drive that was in earlier but that had been wiped clean. Unable to do anything else like start in safe mode, etc. Called Microsoft support and they basically said they couldnt help me and it sounds like i lost my operating system. Please Help!!!

[IT_WinSec]

Hello,

Welcome to the HP Support forum. Thank you for posting.

Note that I merged your two posts into once single thread to keep it all in one place.

Yes, the update you describe didn't complete and something has gone corrupted. Depending on the update it may be easier to restore or it may be not so easier (for example some minor Windows update is easier but it was a feature pack... probably not because it messes up with lots of things).

Could you provide me with your full HP product model and product number (PN) as mentioned here > http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00033108  ?

Did your PC originally come with Windows 10 or it came with previous Windows version ?

Try to boot from the recovery environment (if present) and start System Restore

1. Please, shutdown the computer using the power button

2. Power it on.

2.1 As soon as you press the power-on button, immediately begin hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu which may look similar to this one

3. Choose F11 for System Recovery options.

The computer should boot from it's recovery partition to open you various recovery options. Note, that F11 option will only work if the recovery partition is there (not deleted) and intact. From there, you have prenty of options to choose from. Every HP computer comes with recovery partition present to assist in tough moments.

Please,go to Troubleshoot options and perform "System Restore" first in an attempt to fix the issue. Please, restore back to previous days (previous restore point) where the issue was not present prior to the Windows Update . Here is more info:

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03327545

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03327545#AbT5

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes.

[tltreadway]

HP Stream Notebook PC 13

K2L97UA#ABA

Came with Windows 8

[tltreadway]

Says your PC needs to be repaired

A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed

Error Code 0xc0000225

You'll need recovery tools.............

which i don't have

[Oliver-Powell]

Hi Tltreadway,

I don’t know much about this error, but know a few like that this error mostly arises when we upgrade from any lower version of OS to Windows 10. We may get either ‘An unexpected error has occurred, Your PC needs to be repaired’ message or ‘Boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible’.

I have found the following links for you and hoped that these would help you out with this error code issue:

http://www.errorlive.com/error-code-0xc0000225
https://neosmart.net/wiki/0xc0000225/

You can go through the links mentioned above and try to sort out your problem.

Kindly acknowledge.

[kyle_b]

Because the computer was upgraded from Windows 8.1, the F11 option to recover from the recovery partition will no longer work.  You could either order the Windows 8.1 recovery USB from HP or do a fresh install of Windows 10 using the downloadable install image from Microsoft.

[tltreadway]

OK help me out here. i understand ordering recovery USB since I don't have it. But what is the last part you are talking about?  fresh install of Windows 10 using the downloadable install image from Microsoft.

[kyle_b]

You would wipe the disk clean and install Windows 10 fresh on it.  Instructions are here.

[IT_WinSec]

Dear @tltreadway

As the System Restore fails you may need to perform clean installation of Windows in order to fix the issue. Note, that this installation usually erases the data you already have on your PC, so if you have something important you need to copy/back-up prior to the procedure, please, let me know and I will post instructions how to do it.

As your PC came with Windows 8.1 and now you use Windows 10, you need to decide which one you prefer. Also : note that the Windows 8.1 is better (as per my own views) due to more stability, ways of updating and overall but its recovery media costs about 27$. If you want to purchase it, let me know and I will provide instructions.

The Windows 10 is free. Since you previously performed an upgrade from Win 7 to Win 10 on this very same computer and if you used Win 10 for a while and if Windows 10 was activated (it's licence was activated), then your computer has a Digital entitlement option stored on Microsoft servers. Because of this, you no longer need a code/lic key to activate Windows if you need to reinstall it.  More info:

>> https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/windows-10-activation

>> http://www.winbeta.org/news/digital-entitlement-a-new-method-of-activation-in-windows-10

You can directly download Windows 10 ISO from MS site or download Media creation tool from Microsoft site, create installation DVD or installation USB  and  proceed with clean installation/reinstallation.

>> https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

Instructions: How to create bootable ISO on USB device >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

The ISO is from Microsoft, instructions are just an example. You may also use the Microsoft Media Creation Tool.

When ready with the USB drive:

* Ensure Secure Boot is disabled (may not be needed for your model.)

* Ensure Legacy mode is enabled (may not be needed for your model.) 

* Save the UEFI/BIOS changes (may not be needed for your model.) 

Details>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03653226

Eventually, please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Windows USB thumdrive prepared previously

Power  on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, keep hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu which may look similar to this one

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the thumb drive as boot option.

Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10

Eventually, install drivers taken from HP web site when Win installation completes or via Windows Update/Device Manager >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03330139

Let me know if you face difficulties. Provide feedback and update. Do not hesitate to post again

[tltreadway]

OK let me see if I got this.....as you might be able to tell I'm not good at all this technical stuff and it's been a very long day....

If it was you, YOU prefer windows 8. I didn't have anything of any value to me on this computer so I'm not worried about any lost data at this time. But if I want to go back to windows 8 I will have to pay $27 for this. Even though that is what it  had when i purchased this laptop. That seems a little unfair to me but it is what it is. But this is probably what I will go with because 10 scares me now. So if you don't mind will you please send me the info on how to get this. BUT if I wanted to go with 10 I would have to do all that other stuff which you have listed, Lol At this moment it seems a little over my head but after a good nights sleep I'm sure I could get through it. 

I really appreciate all your help!!!  I have been trying to get this taken care of for over 6 months. But anywhere I called they were just not able to help me resolve this problem. I will be waiting for your instructions on ordering windows 8. 

Thanks!