HP Pavilion G6 Laptop with failed HD - how to re-install Windows 10?

[Paul1999]

I have an HP Pavilion laptop, 4 or 5 years old, that suffered a failed HD. I sent it to a company to have my data recovered. In the meantime, I’m trying to figure out how to get a new HD and get windows 10 installed again. Do I really have to pay for the OS?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

You can reinstall W10 for free.

You can make a bootable 8 GB flash drive or save an ISO file that you can burn to a DVD, using another Windows PC.

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

If you are asked to enter a product key during the installation process, check the 'skip' box and W10 will install and automatically activate once you are connected to the internet.

If you want to make a bootable installation DVD, I have zipped up and attached the Microsoft tool below, to transfer the ISO file to a DVD so that it is bootable.

To make a bootable W10 flash drive installer, the tool will do that automatically for you...

1. Select Download tool now, and select Run.
2. If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.
3. On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.

4. Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10.

5. Select which media you want to use:
6. USB flash drive.  Plug in a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space. Any content on the flash drive will be deleted.

[Paul1999]

Thanks. That’s extremely helpful. One last question:  how do I know whether I need 32 bit or 64 bit?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I would say you need the 64 bit media. 

I don't believe any g6 models came with W7 32 bit.

If you tell me what the full model number or product number of your g6 is, I can confirm what I believe to be correct.

The product number can be found on the same label as the serial number.

Please do not post the serial number.

[Paul1999]

The model number is g6-2217CL

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Your model came with W8 64 bit.

If you haven't picked out a hard drive and you don't need a lot of space, you may want to take this opportunity to upgrade to a solid state drive.

I use this one in a few of my HP notebook and desktop PC's.  Works great.

https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-240GB-Solid-State-SDSSDA-240G-G26/dp/B01F9G43WU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qi...

Here is the link to the service manual for your notebook.   The hard drive R & R procedures can be found in chapter 4.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03593126

[Paul1999]

Very much appreciated!!!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.