device freeze

[argieceralbo123]

i bought a used PC from a company pull out, upon a week of using it a device freeze keeps popping saying i should return the device i bought to the company. What can i do since the company that sold it don't respond to my inquiries anymore.

[NonSequitur777]

@argieceralbo123,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

It sounds like the PC you purchased was originally part of a company's IT inventory and is still registered or locked under their ownership system. When HP computers are used in corporate environments, they're often enrolled in enterprise security platforms that can remotely lock or "freeze" the device if it's reported as decommissioned, missing, or resold without proper release.

Unfortunately, there is no user-side method to remove that message -only the original owning company's IT administrator can unlock or de-register the device. Since you mentioned that the seller is no longer responding, here's what you can do:

1. Gather your purchase details – receipt, screenshots, and the device's serial number (found on the chassis or BIOS).

2. Contact HP Support Philippines and explain that the PC shows a "Device Freeze – Return to Company" message after you purchased it. Include the serial number so HP can check its ownership status: https://support.hp.com/ph-en.

3. If HP confirms it's still tied to the previous company, you'll need to contact the seller again or request a refund/dispute the sale, since only that company can legally release the lock.

4. Avoid using online "unlock" tools -they're inherently unsafe and may further damage your system.

In summary, the PC is still under a company lock, and only the original registered organization (or their IT admin) can remove it. HP Support can verify this and advise the next steps.

Having said this -and this would be very unfortunate but be prepared to consider this PC to be a loss.  One possible solution (thinking ahead) would be to find a working replacement motherboard.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777