Hard disc died. How to get the original os

[rajaratnakumar]

I bought P 2000-2d22DX Notebook PC (ENERGY STAR) with windows 8 built in (I didn't have any product key). Later I upgraded to 8.1 and windows 10, but I didn't take any back up. Now my HDD OF NOTEBOOK died.

i put in a new HDD in my notebook. Now do I need to purchase windows OS again? Can I have any support in r/o my old OS.

[banhien]

@rajaratnakumar

Welcome to HP Support Forum. The best option now is to reinstall Windows 10 using media (USB, DVD) from the following information

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

During the installation process, select SKIP when it asking for a product key and continue. Windows 10 will activate when you come online because the key is in the BIOS of your machine.

Regards.

[IT_WinSec]

Hello,

Welcome to the HP Support forum. Thank you for posting.

You did not get a product key or a license key because since Windows 8, this has been moved to BIOS / integrated into the system. Here is more info >> https://www.cnet.com/news/windows-8-moves-to-bios-based-product-keys/

You do not need to purchase new full license for Windows as you already have one on the same PC.

If you want to restore to Windows 8 you need to use HP Recovery original media - this is the one for your PC model > http://www.computersurgeons.com/p-23575-windows-8-64-bit-recovery-kit-733216-002-for-hp-notebook-pc-...

If you want to restore to Windows 10, just let me know and I will provide you with steps to reinstall Windows 10.

There are several ways to activate Windows 10 - in your case specifically - and it depends on the way it was activated initially. Here they are:

1) No code - no key - just Digital entitlement  - if you previously performed upgrade from Win 8 to Win 10 on this very same computer, if Windows 10 was activated fine and if you used Win 10 for a while, and if Windows 10 was activated eventually (it's licence was activated), then your computer has a Digital entitlement option stored on Microsoft servers. Because of this, you will no longer need a code/lic key to activate Windows if you need to reinstall it.  It will activate itself without you entering any key - it will connect online and detect your PC hardware.  More info:

>> https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/windows-10-activation

>> http://www.winbeta.org/news/digital-entitlement-a-new-method-of-activation-in-windows-10

2)  Use of key - not applicable for your case.

3) Activation using Microsoft account - Digital license - starting with Anniversary update built from last year, if you used MS account to login to the PC and if you enabled a special option, you no longer need a license key to activate your Windows - just login and use your Microsoft account - here is more info >> http://www.windowscentral.com/how-re-activate-windows-10-after-hardware-change

Based on your specific case scenario, you can re-active Windows using your method of choice.

So, let me know which operating system you want to use - Win 8 or Win 10 ?

[rajaratnakumar]

Thank you for your reply.
Since I've installed a blank new HARD DISC, i need to format it before installing the OS. if I go online after formatting it, will it Activate my previous OS.

[rajaratnakumar]

Thank you for your reply.
I want WINDOWS8 now.

Since the key is in bios, if I format the new Hard Disc before installation, will it erase the information in stored in Bios?

[IT_WinSec]

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@rajaratnakumar wrote:
Thank you for your reply.
Since I've installed a blank new HARD DISC, i need to format it before installing the OS. (...)

---

You are welcome !

The operating system will format it automatically before the installation starts , you don't have to do anything specifically regarding this.

[IT_WinSec]

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@rajaratnakumar wrote:
Thank you for your reply.
I want WINDOWS8 now.

Since the key is in bios, if I format the new Hard Disc before installation, will it erase the information in stored in Bios?

---

No, the BIOS is on the motherboard, which is different from the hard disk drive.

If you want Windows 8, some people have reported that if you install Windows 8 OEM version, it will get the key from the BIOS but this is NOT officially support and I recommend you follow the official steps if you want Windows 8/8.1. They are to use the original recovery media for your model >> http://www.computersurgeons.com/p-23575-windows-8-64-bit-recovery-kit-733216-002-for-hp-notebook-pc-...

The recovery medial will reinstall Windows 8, drivers for your PC, some preinstalled apps and will automatically activate your PC (or prepare it for automatic activation over the Internet so once you connect to the Internet it will get activated).

All you need to do is:

- purchase the recovery media set

- once you obtain it, follow the HP official instructions to perform and complete the recovery process >> http://hp.dezide.com/ts/start.jsp?guide=HPSystemRecovery.net&as=true&section=ccweb&SFS=tdoc&language...

Use first the 1st DVD from the set.

If you face diffilties boot from them, let me know

- Follow the on-screen instructions

- After successful Windows installation, ensure your use reputable and good antivirus protection

and update your drivers using the Device Manager method described here > https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03330139

If the PC has Win 8 (not 8.1), you can follow these steps to upgrade to Windows 8.1

>> https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/15288/windows-8-update-to-windows-8-1

>> https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03847367

Hope this helps. Provide your feedback and let me know if you face issues

[rajaratnakumar]

So even my original hard is totally dead & not at all recoverable, I can insert a totally new Hard disc in the same laptop, and install OS, which will be automatically activated when I login with my Microsoft account, as the key was stored in BIOS.

OK, GIVE ME DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO INSATALL WINDOWS 10, which I got free upgraded from 8.1, which was upgraded from the inbuilt windows 8.

i did upgraded to windows 10 home during free upgrade campaign, with my Microsoft account. I also used that for couple of months before the hard disc was died.

kindly help

[IT_WinSec]

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@rajaratnakumar wrote:

OK, GIVE ME DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO INSATALL WINDOWS 10, which I got free upgraded from 8.1, which was upgraded from the inbuilt windows 8.

i did upgraded to windows 10 home during free upgrade campaign, with my Microsoft account. I also used that for couple of months before the hard disc was died.

---

You can directly download Windows 10 ISO from MS site or download Media creation tool from Microsoft site, create installation DVD or installation USB  and  proceed with clean installation/reinstallation.

Download:

>> https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

When download completes, you will need to write or "burn" the ISO image and boot from a bootable media.

** How to create bootable ISO on USB pen drive >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

or

** How to write ISO to DVD >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/burn-a-dvd-on-windows

When ready with the USB drive or with the DVD:

* Ensure Secure Boot is disabled.

* Ensure Legacy mode is enabled.

* Save the UEFI/BIOS changes.

Details>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03653226

Eventually, please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Windows USB thumdrive or the DVD prepared previously

Power  on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, keep hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the thumb drive or the DVD as a boot option.

Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10

Install drivers taken from HP web site when Win installation completes or via Windows Update/Device Manager >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03330139

Hope this helps !