Installing windows on the hp starwars laptop

EliTheRepairGuy · ‎02-26-2021

Ok hp people, I need your help for the first time I actually have to make my own post...

So I have this laptop and didn't realize that I should not format the drive and reinstall windows on it. The issue is that the windows install wont go through. It quits with an error something about a license. the laptop (I thought) had a license build into the motherboard.

So all I am asking is how do I get past this error? everything I see on the forums say to go to the recover media but I don't have any because it is a formatted drive. someone please help me.

WAWood · ‎02-27-2021

@EliTheRepairGuy

OK, so first off WHY did you reformat the drive? If it was due to Windows problems, then a clean install will generally fix those. But if it was because the PC was running real SLOW, that is a hardware issue and reformat and reinstall only makes matters worse.

So, let's check that first, because if it is failing, it would need to be replaced and there is no point then in doing anything else until we confirm that.

If your PC is new enough to support UEFI, you can use these steps to test the hard drive: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00439024

If not, to check the drive you have to follow these steps:
1) Press Esc key repeatedly, several times a second, while rebooting the laptop. Do NOT hold the key down, just press it over and over.
2) Eventually, you will see an HP Startup Menu
3) Press the Function key for testing the hard drive (usually F2) and let it run.
If the drive checks out OK, then report that and I can provide you options for reinstalling Windows on your PC.

***If my post helped, click the thumbs-up symbol to say thanks***

***Please mark Accept As Solution if my post solved your problem***

I am a volunteer and I do not work for, nor represent, HP

EliTheRepairGuy · ‎02-27-2021

I formatted the hard drive because it was an easy solution. I already had a recover drive ready and it was just supposed to be quicker.

edit: the computer was booting into a blue screen over and over and I didn't want to bother with trying to fix that. I just ran the cure all I guess.

anyway it turned out that the ram had gone bad. I replaced it and was able to then install windows normally.