• ×
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
  • ×
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
Guidelines
Are you having HotKey issues? Click here for tips and tricks.
Check out our WINDOWS 11 Support Center info about: OPTIMIZATION, KNOWN ISSUES, FAQs, VIDEOS AND MORE.
Locked

‎01-25-2020 09:33 AM

HP Recommended
Product: HP 255 G5

Hi

I have a client that brought in their hp laptop that was not booting up. After testing we found the drive had crashe .  We need to replace the driv .  How would we find the OS the laptop had as well as the CD key to activate windows.  Laptop is a HP 255 G5. 

Tags (1)
1 REPLY 1

‎01-25-2020 09:56 AM - edited ‎01-25-2020 09:58 AM

HP Recommended

Hi:

 

Some models came with W10 and the product key is in the BIOS.

 

Some models came with FreeDOS and the user supplies their own operating system.

 

The only suggestion I can offer would be to use the Microsoft media creation tool to create a bootable installation USB drive, and install W10.  I would try W10 Pro first, since it is a business-class notebook.

 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

If the PC came with W10, then the installation media should work, install W10, and automatically activate.

 

If it does not activate, use the free utility that I zipped up and attached below, that will show you what version of W10 the product key is good for, and you can install that version instead.

ShowKeyPlus1.0.7060.zip
Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Warning
Be alert for scammers posting fake support phone numbers and/or email addresses on the community.
If you think you have received a fake HP Support message, please report it to us by clicking on "Flag Post".
† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the Terms of Use and Rules of Participation.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Ask the community
† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.