Hard Drive Replacement

[1966Ford2021]

After my computer will not boot, and I have run tests resulting in a hard drive failure, I have decided to replace the hard drive in my laptop. Everything seems relatively easy, my only question is about the OS. Will I have to buy windows 10 again, since a new hard drive will come without a OS? I really don’t want to since I already bought the computer just three years ago and this already failed. Thanks. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Your notebook's W10 product key/license is in the BIOS.

You don't need to buy a new copy of Windows.

You can use the HP cloud recovery tool to create a bootable USB recovery drive that will reinstall W10, the drivers and the software that originally came with your notebook.

Here is an info link for how to use that utility...

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool (Windows 10, 7) | HP® Customer Support

Your other option would be to clean install W10 by making bootable installation media using the media creation tool and then installing the drivers and software from the support page.

Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

HP Pavilion 15-cs0000 Laptop PC Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Customer Support

[1966Ford2021]

Well I couldn’t get the cloud recovery to work. And now I have downloaded the first part of the second option, but it looks like no drivers are on the usb. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

What is the 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

[1966Ford2021]

Is that the same as the model number?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

No.

It would be the same product number you had to enter in order for the HP cloud recovery tool to work.

The product number will be arranged like the example on the link I posted.

5ES85EA#ABA

XXXXXXX#XXX

You should be able to find the product number on the PC's case, and worst case scenario, it will be in the system information window in the BIOS.

[1966Ford2021]

My issue with the cloud recovery tool is that I can download it, but even when I right click and select run as admin it will not come up, the cursor goes to a blue circle for a second and then disappears 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to help you with that problem.

You do have to run the cloud recovery tool as administrator, and it works just fine on  my PC when I run it.

[1966Ford2021]

Okay, tomorrow morning I have arranged to go to a friends house at 8am CST and try to run it on their laptop. 

it should pretty much walk me through the process once up and running correct?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, but you need to use the full product number including the last 3 characters after the # sign in the product number.