z230 - Complete, clean reinstall of Windows 10 + hp software - HOW TO DO IT

[Knud_Fjeldsted]

My 5 years old super-duper z 230 tower is now slower than a turtle and needs a clean Windows 10 reinstall. The present Windows 10 is totally wrecked. 
In order not to get caught by something I should have done but didn't, I ask you for help planning it.  

I shall replace a 1 TB HDD with a 10 TB HDD. The 1 TB HDD contains some special partitions. That must be dealt with.

Main objects:

• Fast computer through a clean Win 10 reinstall
• Larger HDDs

I need:

• Knowledge about how to construct the HP_RECOVERY partition
• Knowledge about how to install the special hp features
• Knowledge about possible special procedures for installing Windows 10 on the SSD.

Present configuration: 

• Disk 1     C:   =   500 GB Samsung SSD for System
• Disk 2     F:   =   6 TB HDD  for data1
• Disk 0     U:   =   1 TB partition for data2  
  Disk 0                  10 GB HP_RECOVERY partition*.  
  Disk 0                  100 MB EFI system partition

*): Had no name, but somehow it "stole" the name  D  and I couldn't change it back.

New configuration:

• Disk X     C:   =   500 GB Samsung SSD for System
• Disk Y     D   =   10 TB HDD  for data1
• Disk Z     E:   =     6 TB HDD   for data2  
• Somewhere        10 GB HP_RECOVERY partition
• Somewhere        100 MB EFI system partition

Thank you for taking time to help me.

Knud

[SDH]

I have zero experience with the Z230 (you did not state.... I'll assume it is a "tower" version with this as a late QuickSpecs document on it, version 27:

https://www.salland.eu/pdf/HP%20Z230%20Workstation.pdf

From looking at the available processors for it the best I feel would be the E3-1821 v3.  That has 4 cores, base clock speed of 3.7 GHz, cache of 8MB, and max memory speed of 1600 MT/s.  From the Intel Ark site that processor had only one stepping (C0) and one sSpec code of SR1R5.  On eBay that processor can be bought from a good US seller for 72.00 USD today including shipping.  That has a passmark score of 6939..... which is OK.

I'd give it the best processor it can run and about 32GB of the fastest RAM it can run.  You might find more bang for the buck by looking at the Z420 version 2, and transfer whatever hardware you can over to that.

[Knud_Fjeldsted]

@SDH:

Thank you for the advice. I didn't consider a change of processor, but I shall study the reference you linked to,

I have p.t. an Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz, 4 Kernels, 8 Logic processors.

My main problem, however, is a wrecked Windows, and I need a clean install. At the same time, I'll upgrade the HDD capacity.

[DGroves]

i would do a "CLEAN" reinstall of windows 10, by deleting all partitions on the boot drive, and let win 10 recreate necessary partitions during the install, once done i would then install all current windows 10 updates

at this point you can use a 3rd party software to create a new Win 10 restore partition that takes the new update  win 10 install you just did and creates a restore partition of that

 i have personally used Aomei  One Key Recovery software and it's not a bad way to reinstall a recovery image on a drive

https://www.ubackup.com/windows-10/create-windows-10-dedicated-recovery-partition-4125.html

the free version may be all you need..................

[Knud_Fjeldsted]

Thank you DGroves. I appreciate your good advice.

If any others have more hp z230 specific advice, I would be happy to receive it.

The case is not closed 😉

Knud

[SDH · Accepted solution]

I agree with DGrove's advice.  The installer will create its own size of the required "system reserved" partition that way, and it has gotten larger over time (it never is too big to even think about, but it has to be there).  Many old OS builds had that be too small.

Before that, however, there is an important question..... are you currently running that under Windows 10 or the original Windows 7 or 8 from HP?  The reason for that is that if the workstation is running under 10 now it by definition is perpetually listed in the Microsoft W10 registration servers for free future use of W10.  If you have a W7Pro64 or a W8Pro64 version currently, properly licensed through HP, then you can automatically upgrade your current build to a W10Pro64 build and have it become licensed at no added cost via the original license.  If you delete everything without doing that you will lose the pathway to the free upgrade.

If you have all the files off your SSD that you want I'd do this:

1.  Check for whether there is firmware upgrade for that SSD.  You can download the latest Samsung Magician software from them and run it, and use that to check and update if one is available.

2.  Download from Microsoft the latest Windows 10 installer software to make a bootable thumb drive, and create the drive with that.  If there is an option to choose the version of W10 you want to make the thumb drive for then choose the option for multiple versions.  I use a 16GB thumb drive, and plug it into a USB2 port on the computer if there is one.  The thumb will then detect what OS you currently have and give you the allowed MS W10 equivalent.  For a Pro original you'll get the Pro version of W10.

3.  Boot into your current OS, plug the thumb in, navigate into it and find the installer's .exe file, and launch that.  You can go into folder options app in Control Panel and select the show extensions for known file types  if you need that help to identify the .exe from the thumb drive.  If you don't need anything saved choose the option a ways in to save nothing.  Be attached to the internet at the beginning of this process.  When you are all done you can reboot and check your current W10 status via the System app.... confirm that it has been activated.  To be clear.... you will have just upgraded within your original OS to the W10 OS, and your original license will allow the installer to license you now also for W10.

Later if you wish you can do the final clean install from scratch, booting from the thumb.  During the install if it asks if you have a license to enter just say no..... it will find your prior W10 licensing on its servers because the UUID from your motherboard has been entered there.  This is called having a digital license.

This actually is my standard approach and I usually don't go through the second step of doing a fully clean install from scratch, and it has not been an issue.  But it is good exercise to know how to do the cleanest approach rather than my usual way and choosing to save nothing.  Mine is clean; DGroves is cleanest..... but you need to get that licensing thing done first or you will wipe proof that you really were licensed properly for W7/W8.  Any W10 licensed box will also be listed in the MS W10 activation servers.

[SDH]

You have not stated what type of Z230 you have... tower?  This detail may alter what processors you can run.  Search for the very latest HP QuickSpecs document for the type you have, and then do your searching for the Passmark score, if you have any interest in upgrading your processor.

Currently the one you have in place gets a better score than the one I thought might be better....