Product key in Bios?

[InnerService]

Hi,

Thanks for the guide so far;

Can anyone inform me if the Windows 8.1 (64) product key is embedded in the bios of this unit

or do i need to retrieve it while the drive is somewhat still operational (failing currently)

thanks in advance for this,

best regards

Mark.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, Mark:

Yes, the key is in the BIOS, and the product specs indicate your PC originally came with W8 from HP.

https://support.hp.com/ca-en/document/c03934951

After you replace the drive, here is how you can reinstall W8.1, by using the W8 product key in your PC's BIOS:

Install W8.1 by creating the Microsoft installation media, using another Windows PC, if yours is not working...You want W8.1 64 bit.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO

If you are asked to enter a product key during the installation process, use this generic key.

This is the generic key for W8.1 'Standard.'

334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

If you had to enter the generic key, manually change the generic product key to the W8 key in your PC's BIOS in the PC settings menu.

After you get W8.1 installed, and you had to manually enter the W8.1 generic product key, you will need to run the free utility I zipped up and attached below, that will show you show the W8 product key in your PC's BIOS.

You can run it now if you can still get into Windows.

I have also zipped up and attached below, the Microsoft tool which hopefully will transfer the ISO file to a DVD or USB flash drive so it is bootable.

Then you can install the available drivers and software from your PC's support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-ENVY-Recline-27-All-in-One-Desktop-PC-series/543...

[InnerService]

Thank you for the prompt and comprehensive reply, I will be applying this procedure in the next few days and should be a great solution to the challenge ahead!

Thank you and all the best!

Mark.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[InnerService]

Paul,

Many Thanks, not sure what happened there but I managed to locate it now.

Thank for the the prompt response, much appreciated!

Once I recover the original Key, I should be heading in the right direction.

best Regards,

Mark

PS, sorry about the new thread, I always get caught up in the issued No-Reply at the mail level.

Wont do that again-

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime, Mark.

Please post back and let us know if you were able to get W8.1 installed and activated using the above approach.

Best Regards,

Paul

[InnerService]

Paul,

Thank you, I will certainly update you once I complete the task,

I expect within the next few days as I have a few end of season

tasks which are taxing my time.

Best regards!

Mark.

[InnerService]

Paul,

All worked out great, the install iso covered everything and the key was not required at any point

in the install. I had to download the SB BUS ( Intel chipset ) driver to satisfy all device status to be 

complete but that went well also.

One question you might be able answer for me, does this PC have thermal protection in the event 

that the CPU cooling fan fails? what would be the outcome if this cooling fan fails?

My reason for asking is that this PC is at least five years old and that fan is the likely next fail point

and Im just concerned my client could run into this. if it does not have a protective thermal protect

I should thing about replacing it sooner than later.

Thanks for all the help so far!

best regards

Mark.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Mark.

Yes, I believe the PC has  a built in warning system where if the fan was to fail it would trigger a BIOS warning message, and if the person was not present to immediately shut down the PC, it would turn itself off.