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01-16-2023 12:32 AM
Windows 10 Home 64 bit
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600 CPU @3.40GHz
4GB RAM (I don't know how it worked at all)
2TB SATA Hard Drive
Don't remember / know BIOS version (Can't access Administrator account in Windows....)
USB mouse and keyboard
A little history.
The computer belonged to my brother and now it's mine. It worked fine when I first booted it up.
I made a few changes to the startup processes to see if I could help with the boot time.
I guess I disabled too many things. I only disabled non Windows services, I thought.
Now my Administrator account is corrupted and I can't use it. It tells me my PIN doesn't work and my password is wrong.
I had previously made a regular user that can log in but can't do anything worthwhile.
Wish list and steps taken so far.
I want to restore the factory settings and start from scratch.
The recovery steps just hang after a restart.
I have looked at numerous videos on YouTube and browsed the forums looking for an answer.
The computer can boot and I can log in with the regular user account. Any time I try to perform the next step, the computer goes to a blank screen and hangs.
I can't get into the BIOS to change anything.
I've tried the esc key during boot, no luck. It goes right to the Windows login.
I've tried Win key + B then power up, no luck. Right to login.
I've tried Shift while restarting and it gets me to the Recovery Screen but nothing works from there. The computer just hangs on reboot.
I've cleared the CMOS by using the button on the motherboard and removing the battery hoping that might let me start clean.
This computer is about 2 feet from the trash and I'm about ready to deposit it there. I hope that with my sad tale, someone will know how to fix this issue. I have other computers but this one seems to be one that can, maybe, be a good one.
Regards,
Cory
01-16-2023 05:57 AM - edited 01-16-2023 05:59 AM
I believe you will probably need to wipe out the present Windows 10 and start over as indicated "I want to restore the factory settings and start from scratch."
However, that unit is old enough that going back to factory might be possible, but I would start with a fresh install of Windows 10. Assuming that unit has a DVD/CD drive, you might be more comfortable with the DVD install media, but your choice. If you need help with changing the boot order to get to the install media, just post back for help.
If you need the install media for Windows 10, you can make it from this Microsoft download
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
With a working PC, scroll down to the "Using the tool to create installation media"
and then follow the directions. You can make either the DVD or USB. Use this new media to install Windows 10.
When the install asks for the product key, click the "I don't have a product key" option to continue,
then the install will continue. It will be activated once it connects to the internet, as it uses a digital key.
I'm not an HP employee.
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01-16-2023 06:46 AM
Hi, @bradleybiz
I have two HP 8200 Elite CMT's and in order to access the BIOS (which you shouldn't need to do to reinstall W10), you turn on or restart the PC.
Immediately press/tap the ESC key to get the menu of options.
Select the F10 setup option to get into the BIOS or the F9 boot options menu to boot from a USB flash drive or DVD.
01-16-2023 11:57 AM
Thanks for getting back so soon.
I will most likely need help changing the boot order.
I created a bootable USB drive for Ubuntu and it booted.
I quit that and created a Windows 10 USB drive using the media creation tool and it wouldn't boot. It went straight to the Windows login.
I still can't access the BIOS using any of the suggested methods. This is where my post began.
01-16-2023 12:05 PM
Thanks for responding so soon.
The computer will boot to an Ubuntu USB image but not a Windows image. I created the Windows image using the media creation tool.
When the Linux USB booted, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel.
The Windows image turned that right off.
I still can't open the BIOS to make changes using any of the suggested methods.
01-16-2023 12:11 PM
You're very welcome.
If pressing the ESC key and selecting the F9 boot options menu doesn't work for you, unfortunately, I don't have any other ideas for you to try because I have owned my two 8200 Elite CMT's for 12 years now and that is how I have always got into the boot options menu.
When in the F9 boot options menu, you should see two lists of boot device options...EFI and Legacy.
If you do not see a USB flash drive to boot from in either option, see if this works...
Use the free Rufus utility to make a bootable USB installation flash drive with the W10 ISO file you can download using the media creation tool. Select that option instead of letting the tool create the USB flash drive.
Leave the settings defaulted as shown in the illustration on the Rufus support page.
01-26-2023 05:26 PM
@TheOldMan
I'm not really sure what exactly happened. I could not boot from any USB or CD media. Again, I could not access the BIOS no matter which options I tried.
I had ordered 32 Gb of DDR3 Ram and installed it. After installing it, the press ESC for boot options displayed at boot and I was able to get into the BIOS.
I was able to flash the BIOS to 2.28 and install Windows 10 from the USB drives.
I appreciate your help. I'm back in black.
Cory Bradley
01-26-2023 05:32 PM
@Paul_Tikkanen,
Thanks for the help creating the Windows media. I think installing new memory caused the BIOS menu to become available. I was able to flash the BIOS to 2.28 and install Windows 10 from the USB drives. All is good.
Cory Bradley