Unable to install Windows 10 downloaded from Microsoft website

[Pakiroa]

Our Notebook hadn't been used for a long time. It would not boot up - the advanced diagnostics stopped at an error message about a corrupted SYSTEM CFG.

The machine came pre-loaded with Windows 8.1 - upgraded to 10, and the activation code is unknown.

For this reason we decided to purchase and install a brand new copy of Windows 10 .

During the install the procedure displays a msgbox for a fraction of a second and then the machine shuts down. The message is [something like] "Windows 10 Setup cannot configure this computer's hardware."

How can we resolve this?

[Prométhée · Accepted solution]

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-250-g4-notebook-pc/7609933/product-info

did you try windows 8 again?
see if it works with, you can then try the upgrade with windows 10 if it works

https://www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/software-download/windows8ISO

[Pakiroa]

Thank you for your help.

We have reinstalled Windows 8.1 using the generic version from the Microsoft website (your link). This is now working.

There are, however, some missing drivers which I will try to find. Possibly on this site.

Subsequently we did try the Windows 10 update however this failed. No reason given. I suspect it has something to do with the missing drivers.

An interesting aside : The new Windows 8.1 we installed is showing as activated. We didn't enter an activation code of any description (we don't have one) so I'm guessing that one was embedded in the BIOS somewhere when the original version of 8.1 was pre-loaded. It is possible the the pre-loaded version contained custom drivers from HP.

We will persevere with trying to install Windows 10.  In the meantime your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Prométhée]

Yes, for activation, normal, for that I didn't say anything about it, it should work
Drivers and some software from the product page indeed
For windows 10 if you want to try again
maybe you would need to find a previous version (1909) for example
Install as an upgrade, not by reinstalling everything

[Pakiroa]

Once again thank you for the pointers.

To summarise -

• installed generic Windows 8.1 from Microsoft download website. The only version available is for the US.
• configured for users, apps, etc so it was fully running and usable.
• installed a slightly older version of Windows 10 (I found an old image file which subsequently turned out to be for ver. 1903)
• allowed Windows to install all updates. There many of these and it took a very long time. At one point two updates were locked in a deadly embrace and we had kill processes in Task Manager to get this back on track.
• ''personalised' everything that needed to be (region/language/keyboard as well as privacy settings of all types), set up email and a couple of other apps.

Everything is working fine now although  Windows is still at 1903. I expect upgrades to 21H1 will eventually become available for download in the usual way. There many stumbles on the way, and we never did find the missing drivers for 8.1. Full details on request.

We owe you a huge debt of gratitude for your help in getting this resolved. Thank you!

[Prométhée]

Thank you, for this message, it makes me very happy

take care of yourself

[itsmyname]

@Pakiroa --  the activation code is unknown

While it may be unknown to you, free software, such as SPECCY, will show you the password.

Additionally, Microsoft knows the activation code. When Windows 10 "activated", it "called home" to Microsoft to transmit the code.  What this means is that you can reinstall Windows 10. It will automatically "call home", and retrieve the activation code, and will automatically activate.

See: Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

to download the latest release of Windows 10, and to burn it to a writable-DVD, or write it to an empty 8GB (or larger) USB memory-stick.  Boot from the media, to reinstall Windows.

[Pakiroa]

Thank you for following up on this.

I do know the activation code (Product Key). My curiosity was where it was stored on the laptop as it survived a hard disk format. When a new install was carried it somehow retrieved it - but from where?

[Prométhée]

This is no longer of any use to you @Pakiroa 
Except out of curiosity.

Get ShowKeyPlus - Microsoft Store
the key is registered in the system, that's why it worked as I suggested you do

[itsmyname]

@Pakiroa -- An interesting aside : The new Windows 8.1 we installed is showing as activated. 

Two possibilities:

1. beginning with Windows 8, some motherboards include a product-key. So, the Windows Installer just retrieved that product-key and used it.

2. When you first installed Windows 8, and "activated" it, it "called home" to Microsoft, to register the product-key.  Then, when reinstalling, the Windows Installer "called home" to Microsoft to retrieve the product-key.