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‎11-15-2022 05:24 AM

HP Recommended
Product: HP Pavilion All-in-One - 23-p120t CTO

So we were given this HP all-in-one desktop by a relative who doesn't have the keyboard, mouse or the login details.  It was given to us as a spare computer, and I'm needing to reset it to factory settings.  

 

Obviously, I can't login to go to settings and all that jazz, so I'm stuck trying to do this between turning on and getting to the login screen.......all without a laptop.  

 

PLEASE tell me there's a way!!!!!! 

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1 person had the same question
3 REPLIES 3

‎11-15-2022 06:06 AM - edited ‎11-15-2022 06:24 AM

HP Recommended

Hi @Mrs_black0616 

 

Do you happen to know if it had been updated to Windows 10?

If that is the case, this should be relatively simple since Microsoft changed its activation and licensing practices.

 

The activation details are now stored by Microsoft on licensing servers and are attached to the MAC address of a desktop or laptop PC's motherboard.

 

That means you can install Windows 10 and as soon as you go online it will automatically activate on its own.

 

If Windows 10 was not the installed operating system, you will need to purchase  a MS Windows activation key and they have become  quite inexpensive. 

https://pcsalesonline.com/en/operating-systems/windows-10-home-3264bit-download?cd=11941274635&ad=11...

 

Just in case, here is the Windows 10 media creation hyperlink at Microsoft

https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=654540-001&_sacat=0&LH...

You will need to purchase a keyboard, mouse and have an available USB flash drive of between 8-32 GB  in order to install a useable operating system. You will only need the USB flash drive if the F11 recovery option does not work.

The desktop PC's specifications (it has an Intel processor installed)

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-23-p100-all-in-one-desktop-pc-series/7161729/model/...

 

The PC's support portal

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-23-p100-all-in-one-desktop-pc-series/7161729/model/...

 

Drivers & software
https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-pavilion-23-p100-all-in-one-desktop-pc-series/71...

 

Once you have the keyboard and mouse connected, press the power board and start tapping the F11 key to recover the desktop PC.  Follow the onscreen instructions to erase everything and install a fresh copy of the operating system.

 

Let me know how it goes and post back if you have any questions.

I do hope the OS is Windows 10.

 

Here is the user manual. See page 16 of chapter 6 for recovery options. 

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04329428.pdf


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‎11-15-2022 06:22 AM - edited ‎11-15-2022 06:23 AM

HP Recommended

Sorry @erico  posting at the same time.

Here is the spec page for HP Pavilion All-in-One - 23-p120t CTO

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-23-p100-all-in-one-desktop-pc-series/7161729/model/...

It indicates the mouse and keyboard were either USB or Wireless (which would use a USB wireless dongle or built in Bluetooth) connected.  I would suppose a USB connect keyboard and mouse would work to enable processing the requested change, however it came with Windows 8.1.  I suspect returning to factory settings is not really what you want.

If it has Windows 10 installed, you can do a fresh Windows 10 install by using the install media.

 

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.

Do not do an "Upgrade install" but do a "Custom" install and  Select the drive then click New

Then delete each partition until all are deleted and then click on NEW, then apply, then OK.

This will give you a new install without any hindrance from the old install.
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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‎11-15-2022 06:27 AM

HP Recommended

@TheOldMan 

No worries!  😉


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