HDD Failure How to get Operating System for New Drive

[N2coffee]

Unable to boot due to HDD failure. need to learn resources for downloading operating system on replacement HDD. 

Happy New Year!

Thanks 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

What is the full model number or product number of your notebook?

Use this guide to find that information...please do not post the serial number.

HP Notebook PCs - How Do I Find My Product Name or Number? | HP® Customer Support

[N2coffee]

The diagnostic software (UEFI) states that the product ID is W2L55UA#ABA

Appreciate the assistance

[N2coffee]

Was able to locate the model as:

HP Pavilion 15- au30wm (Touch) (Energy Star)

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

See if your notebook is supported by the HP cloud recovery tool on another Windows PC running Windows 7 64 bit or newer to create a bootable USB recovery drive that will reinstall W10, the drivers and the software that originally came with your PC.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility...you will need a 32 GB USB flash drive to create the bootable recovery drive.

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool (Windows 10) | HP® Customer Support

Happy New Year to you too!

[Ancientpillhead]

Thanks Paul, I will check that out...fingers crossed.

Will repost with results.

Happy New Year

[N2coffee]

Sorry for exploring on my own but it is early...

Downloaded the tool. 

Booted from the USB drive.

Got past the Time/Date screen 

Entered password

Stuck.

Will not explore without direction 😞

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Unfortunately, I wouldn't know what the problem could be.

Another option would be to use the Media creation tool to create a bootable W10 USB installation flash drive and clean install W10.

Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

After W10 has completed installing, you can install the drivers and available software from your notebook's support page.

HP Pavilion 15-au030wm (Touch) (ENERGY STAR) Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Customer Support

[N2coffee · Accepted solution]

Maybe it's the question; maybe my user name; or the phase of the moon.

Whatever the reason, I would like to thank those who replied to my post. Paul, you are a stand-up kind of guy.

For anyone facing the same problem, here's how I figured out what to do.

Unplug the power source and let the battery discharge OR unplug the battery from the mother board. My battery is swollen so I bought another. There is a recall on laptop batteries; you may be able to get another free.

1.Purchase a new HDD. Get the SSD. They are sweet! If you want the companionship of a spinner that's OK too. Just try to get out more often.

2.  From another computer, create a recovery disk or USB drive with the MS Windows media creator (sorry no links it's easy to find)

3. Change the BIOS on your computer to boot from either USB or DVD media (whichever you created in step 2). This is not hard but read the instructions on the bottom of the screen so you can navigate the BIOS options; you can't "point and click" your way around.

4. From another computer using Windows Disk Management, format the new SSD:  NTFP file system with MBR (master boot record). Don't worry, if you mess up i.e. Windows10 installation fails, do it again until you get it right. Not a long process; just get comfortable with pulling and reinstalling your new drive. It doesn't hurt you or the drive and gives you a chance to become "one" with the computer.

5. Power up with your Windows 10 disc or USB drive. You will be prompted to press any key if you want to boot from the drive; press any key. My favorite is the spacebar; I can see it without glasses 😉 .

6. Follow the prompts and voila! Cortana walks you through the setup process. 

You now have bare-bones computer. You will need to update your drivers at HP.com

Hope this helps. My question has been answered!