Solved: Re: Recovery Manger , HP Support Assistant , Windows Updates... - HP Support Community

Slartibarti · ‎10-21-2017

HP Pavilion x2 - 10-n155sa (ENERGY STAR)
Warranty status: ? Active: Covered under Extended warranty, 14 months remaining - See details
Product number:P0H64EA

I have limped along with this device for 2 years. The ludicrously small 32Gb storage makes every use a constant fight to free up enough space to make anything run. I love the concept of the device but selling a 32Gb Windows 10 device and expecting any decent Apps to run is a nonsense. It's bordering on not fit for purpose froma Trade Descriptions perspective.

Anyhoo now I have that off my chest....

I decided I wanted to re-build to scratch to make a clean start (again). I can't get any Windows Updates done due to lack of space and cant force it to use the SD card for Windows updates.

Recovery Manager won't run

HP Support Assistant won't run and attempting to install a new version fails.

I have wasted time figuring out how to contact you direct rather than using a "Forum" ....which for most companies is justa waste of time....fingers crossed I am wrong on this ocassion,

How do I make this machine useful again ?

IT_WinSec · ‎10-21-2017

@Slartibarti wrote:
Hi IT_WinSec, thanks for your reply.

Q Could you elaborate on what you mean by writing "Recovery Manager won't run". Did you try to start it from inside Windows - while running Windows ?
A -Yes HP Recovery Manager started as normal from left-hand program list. It begins to execute and the dialogue asking if it has permission to make changes runs. I select YES and the program appears on the Task Bar. An X (close program appears on the desktop but no dialogie box for the App. I can see it in task manager but it isn't "doing anything"

Q - Reinstalling is usually easy and will clear up some space for you. With Windows 10 it is ever easier.
A - Yes that's what I tought too ! 😉

Q -If you can start Windows now, could you please go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation section
In the right side could you please tell me what it says about your activation status ?
A - Yes windows starts and runs OK and Apps run OK. This is the first indication anything was wrong (other than a criminal lag of disk space !). Activation Status Windows is activated with a digital license

Q Do you use Microsoft account to login to the PC ?
A - Yes normally ...only one account (as there is not enough space to waste on multiple users). I have logged on as Windows Admin however but stll the same outcome.

I guess I can do a native Windows recovery but I don't really want the pain of loading HP specific stuff I need unless I have no choice,

Thank you for the detailed response @Slartibarti

It's much appreciated.

Since it says activated with a digital license, this is the best option and easiest for you. You have a Digital Entitlement stored on Microsoft servers.

The only way to restore (re-gain) disk space is by erasing everything (including recovery partitions) and performing clean Windows installation. The HP specific stuff is not mandatory to have - the only required things may be some drivers but they are easy and fast to install. If I were you, I would definitely go this route.

I recommend you link your digital activation to your Microsoft account. This way you will always be able to activate your Windows 10 without any issues on this PC.

Select the Start button, select Settings > Update & security > Activation > and then select Add an account. You must be signed in as an administrator to add your Microsoft account.
Enter your Microsoft account and password, and then select Sign in.
After you add your Microsoft account, you’ll see Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account on the Activation page.

>> https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

Create a back up of your most important files and things you want to keep. Store this back up on external driver or in the personal OneDrive account.

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

Download:

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

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

Use the Media Creation tool. You need empty/blank USB drive with at least 4 GB capacity

When ready with the USB drive:

Please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Windows USB thumdrive prepared previously

Power on the PC.

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

This should open a HP Startup Menu

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

Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10. Perform custom installation. Erase everything (all partitions) and install Windows 10 on Drive 0 Unallocated space

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

You will definitely have lots more free space now.

Hope this helps.

Your FEEDBACK is important. Use the interactive buttons below and let me know if the post helps ;
*** HP employee *** I express personal opinion only *** Joined the Community in 2013

View solution in original post

IT_WinSec · ‎10-21-2017

@Slartibarti wrote:
Recovery Manager won't run

HP Support Assistant won't run and attempting to install a new version fails.

I have wasted time figuring out how to contact you direct rather than using a "Forum" ....which for most companies is justa waste of time....fingers crossed I am wrong on this ocassion,

How do I make this machine useful again ?

Hello @Slartibarti

Thank you for posting in the HP Support forum. Welcome !

Could you elaborate on what you mean by writing "Recovery Manager won't run". Did you try to start it from inside Windows - while running Windows ?

Reinstalling is usually easy and will clear up some space for you. With Windows 10 it is ever easier.

If you can start Windows now, could you please go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation section

In the right side could you please tell me what it says about your activation status ?

Do you use Microsoft account to login to the PC ?

Your FEEDBACK is important. Use the interactive buttons below and let me know if the post helps ;
*** HP employee *** I express personal opinion only *** Joined the Community in 2013

Slartibarti · ‎10-21-2017

Hi IT_WinSec, thanks for your reply.

Q Could you elaborate on what you mean by writing "Recovery Manager won't run". Did you try to start it from inside Windows - while running Windows ?

A -Yes HP Recovery Manager started as normal from left-hand program list. It begins to execute and the dialogue asking if it has permission to make changes runs. I select YES and the program appears on the Task Bar. An X (close program appears on the desktop but no dialogie box for the App. I can see it in task manager but it isn't "doing anything"

Q - Reinstalling is usually easy and will clear up some space for you. With Windows 10 it is ever easier.

A - Yes that's what I tought too ! 😉

Q -If you can start Windows now, could you please go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation section

In the right side could you please tell me what it says about your activation status ?

A - Yes windows starts and runs OK and Apps run OK. This is the first indication anything was wrong (other than a criminal lag of disk space !). Activation Status Windows is activated with a digital license

Q Do you use Microsoft account to login to the PC ?

A - Yes normally ...only one account (as there is not enough space to waste on multiple users). I have logged on as Windows Admin however but stll the same outcome.

I guess I can do a native Windows recovery but I don't really want the pain of loading HP specific stuff I need unless I have no choice,

IT_WinSec · ‎10-21-2017

@Slartibarti wrote:
Hi IT_WinSec, thanks for your reply.

Q Could you elaborate on what you mean by writing "Recovery Manager won't run". Did you try to start it from inside Windows - while running Windows ?
A -Yes HP Recovery Manager started as normal from left-hand program list. It begins to execute and the dialogue asking if it has permission to make changes runs. I select YES and the program appears on the Task Bar. An X (close program appears on the desktop but no dialogie box for the App. I can see it in task manager but it isn't "doing anything"

Q - Reinstalling is usually easy and will clear up some space for you. With Windows 10 it is ever easier.
A - Yes that's what I tought too ! 😉

Q -If you can start Windows now, could you please go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation section
In the right side could you please tell me what it says about your activation status ?
A - Yes windows starts and runs OK and Apps run OK. This is the first indication anything was wrong (other than a criminal lag of disk space !). Activation Status Windows is activated with a digital license

Q Do you use Microsoft account to login to the PC ?
A - Yes normally ...only one account (as there is not enough space to waste on multiple users). I have logged on as Windows Admin however but stll the same outcome.

I guess I can do a native Windows recovery but I don't really want the pain of loading HP specific stuff I need unless I have no choice,

Thank you for the detailed response @Slartibarti

It's much appreciated.

Since it says activated with a digital license, this is the best option and easiest for you. You have a Digital Entitlement stored on Microsoft servers.

The only way to restore (re-gain) disk space is by erasing everything (including recovery partitions) and performing clean Windows installation. The HP specific stuff is not mandatory to have - the only required things may be some drivers but they are easy and fast to install. If I were you, I would definitely go this route.

I recommend you link your digital activation to your Microsoft account. This way you will always be able to activate your Windows 10 without any issues on this PC.

Select the Start button, select Settings > Update & security > Activation > and then select Add an account. You must be signed in as an administrator to add your Microsoft account.
Enter your Microsoft account and password, and then select Sign in.
After you add your Microsoft account, you’ll see Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account on the Activation page.

>> https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

Create a back up of your most important files and things you want to keep. Store this back up on external driver or in the personal OneDrive account.

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

Download:

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

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

Use the Media Creation tool. You need empty/blank USB drive with at least 4 GB capacity

When ready with the USB drive:

Please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Windows USB thumdrive prepared previously

Power on the PC.

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

This should open a HP Startup Menu

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

Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10. Perform custom installation. Erase everything (all partitions) and install Windows 10 on Drive 0 Unallocated space

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

You will definitely have lots more free space now.

Hope this helps.

Your FEEDBACK is important. Use the interactive buttons below and let me know if the post helps ;
*** HP employee *** I express personal opinion only *** Joined the Community in 2013

Slartibarti · ‎10-21-2017

Thanks IT_WinSec

I'll follow the steps for the digital activation. Thanks

There is nothing I need backed-up.

Thanks also for the etailed info on the USB Recovery option (no CD drive and I don't think the machine even has enough puff to drive an external DVD player !)

Many thanks 🙂

Ian

IT_WinSec · ‎10-21-2017

You are most welcome, Ian.

Keep me posted 🙂

@Slartibarti

Your FEEDBACK is important. Use the interactive buttons below and let me know if the post helps ;
*** HP employee *** I express personal opinion only *** Joined the Community in 2013

Slartibarti · ‎10-21-2017

First observation is the USB drive can't be NTFS. The Media Creation failed twice in the 2nd of the 2 downlaod processes before I googled the error code and discovered it had to be formatted as FAT32. Error 0x80070456-0xA001A

Slartibarti · ‎10-21-2017

OK 2nd update 🙂

Started the install from the USB. I deleted all of the partitions. Mine showed Drive 1 unallocared space (not Drive 0)

It wouldn't let me install there hower, showing

0x80300001

I googled a bit. Various blurb about BIOS changes , Controller Drivers. One suggested remove media, select the option to install drivers and let it fail, then re-insert Media and continue the install.

Much to my surprise it seemed to continue !. Now installing...time will tell !

Slartibarti · ‎10-21-2017

Many thanks IT_WinSec

Windows installed OK so just doing the updates now then drivers.

Many thanks for your well laid out advice.

Much happier with a vanilla OS !

Ian

Slartibarti · ‎10-21-2017

Hi IT_WinSec

I have a slight issue. I have installed the HP Drivers. All seemed to go well until the BIOS update. The machine is working OK but the BIOS update did not work.

I only discovered this because the machine dismounted the SD card of its own acord. This was a constant issue from when I bought the machine and was a real pain as when I was using the SD card it would suddenly unmount ... Grrrr. HP Support eventually resolved it I think by a BIOS update but I recall then there was a similar issue of the BIOS update not working,

The BIOS is on F14. I tried to install the latets version F16. The install didn't give any error messages but after a restart it was still at F14. I tried F15 ... again no errors during the install but it did not update from F14.

Any ideas ?

Ian

Recovery Manger , HP Support Assistant , Windows Updates Total Frustration

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