Hard disk and windows startup problem

[Momodatang]

Hi, I'm using hp pavillion ts 14 notebook. I upgraded my os to win10 few weeks ago only to hard reset my laptop (my laptop os was 8.1 but i was stuck in some files are missing error when i tried to hard reset).

And windows 10 was quite laggy so i used clean installation method to downgrade to windows 8.1.

Then the problem occured. Fiest problem is,  my laptop refused to boot. I used  f9>efi file>boot to boot for this.

The 2nd problem is, for some reasons, my disk's maximum space is only 44gb now (it was 1tb). I want to make my startup normal ( not from f9) and i want to get my disk space back too. What should i do? I'd appreciate it if anyone can provide me solution to my problem 2.

*im apologies for my broken english grammar. 

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The specs for the product number you posted indicates that your notebook originally came with Windows 8.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04007981

See if this works...Install W8.1 in legacy mode...first enable legacy mode and disable secure boot.

You would boot from the legacy DVD or USB flash drive.

See this link for the settings to change...

https://www.support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03736054/

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

When you get to the screen that asks 'Where do you want to install Windows,' delete every partition on the hard drive, leaving just one partition of unallocated space. Click Next, and W8.1 should begin to install.

If you get a Windows can't be installed to this disk error, watch the video at the link below for how to get around that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=z4Z38pD1Gt0&feature=emb_logo

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.

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-Pavilion-14-Ultrabook/5410620/model/5448925

If the Showkey Plus report shows that the W8 product key is good for W8 Single Language, go back and download the W8.1 64 bit Single Language ISO file, and use this generic product key instead.

Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC

[Momodatang]

Hi, thanks for the help

I managed to follow your instructions until I'm stuck in "no boot media" after windows installation.

I plugged usb and f9>efi file>boot to start the windows but that's not how normal system work right...

And the disk's maximum capacity in This PC shows only 44gb (my hdd is 1tb). I havent install the available drivers and software thing yet. Will it fix the error of my disk space?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're vey welcome.

Did you delete all of the partitions on the hard drive when you first installed Windows?

That should have left you with 100% of the maximum allowable space.

If you did, something is wrong with the hard drive. 

Run the F2 hard drive diagnostics test in the BIOS and see what it reports.

Unfortunately, I have no idea why you can't just boot straight into Windows, unless it is related to the hard drive being no good.

[Momodatang]

For the partition deletion part, yes, i deleted every single partitions and made it into one 44gb unallocated partitions (...i just realized that it was 44gb since the setup. Maybe my hardware is not working).

I ran both memory and hard drive check but the result showed that they're both fine. At least the 1st problem can be evaded by pressing f9>efi file>boot.

I'll check my hardware by prying laptop open when im free.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Something is not right with the drive, I imagine.