Load Win 11 on 290 G4 MT

[wlcox409]

My 290 G4 MT crashed and is unresponsive. I attempted a Windows recovery (return to factory settings) but the system locks. I download the HP Cloud Recovery tool to create a bootable USB drive, but Recovery tool will not accept the product number (5L4R8ES#BH5). How can I load Win 11 from scratch?

[BeemerBiker · Accepted solution]

Go here to download the windows 11 ISO for a fresh install or clean upgrade to the latest and greatest.

HP drivers are available here

[Paul_Tikkanen]

@wlcox409 

The reason the HP cloud recovery tool does not support your PC is because according to the parts list, it came with a motherboard with no Windows product key.

HP PartSurfer

L90453-001

Motherboard (system board) HP 280 G6 MT

The -001 suffix indicates a motherboard with no Windows product key.

Motherboards that come with a Windows product key in the BIOS have a part number suffix that ends in 601.

So, you will have to supply a valid product key in order to activate W11 after you reinstall it.

[wlcox409]

Thanks.

Was surprised that the HP Cloud Recovery app didn't support this model.

Got it loaded, though.

Thanks again

[wlcox409]

Hmmm.

Images from label on bottom of the system.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

What shows up in the HP partsurfer database--290 G4, but the motherboard is labeled for a 280 G6.

They must use the same system board.

The bottom line is the PC came with FreeDOS which is why the cloud recovery tool didn't work and that is what is indicated on the label.

That utility only works on PCs that came with Windows product keys in the BIOS.