HP ENVY 15 - new HDD - Recovery Disk?

[hp_newby]

In early December 2014, I bought from Costco a 'HP ENVY 15-k163cl Notebook.' As of last night, my Notebook no longer starts. When I try to boot it up, I get a 'Boot Device Not Found' error message. At that point, if I run a 'quick' hard drive check via the 'F2' key, I get the following messages: 'SMART Checked: PASSED; Short DST: FAILED.'
 
Based on what I found online, it appears that I need a new hard drive. Because my Notebook did not come with any CDs/DVDs and I did not make my own copy of a 'Recovery Disk,' I will need to order them from HP.
 
Will the 'Recovery Disk' from HP allow me to re-install Windows 8.1 on my new hard drive or will I need additional software? In addition, how do I find my Windows 8.1 Product Key, if I need a new Windows installer?
 
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[banhien · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Welcome to HP support forum. Please allow me to answer your questions:

1. Yes, the best and quickest way is to order Recovery set/media from HP. It will bring your machine back from the time you left Costco few years ago. That is why we call Factory settings.

2. The product key is on the BIOS, the prosess will use that key.  Your machine has  Windows 8.1 (64-bit) pre-installed:

       http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04463332

Some software including Windows would be out of date and you have spend hours to update them.

3. The key is in the BIOS of your machine, please use the following tool to get it:

   http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

When run this tool, it produces a report, scroll down to Software Management section. Windows 8, 8.1 or 10  product key is in there.

You can also use the following tool to find out:

  https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Note: If you could not access to your computer now, you can find out later.

Regards,