Unable to install W11 on HP ZBook 15 G2 with replaced drive

[ken_david]

I have an HP Zbook 15 G2 that just had a solid state drive fail, it was previously running W11.  I replaced with a brand new drive but having difficulties re-installing W11.

Bios Version M70 01.23

I tried creating USB boot drive with W11 with media creation tool, Rufus and Balena (Rufus and Balena uses the W11 iso downloaded directly from Microsoft)

USB drive is enabled in the bios and have tried different settings e.g. legacy (media creation tool version), disabling fastboot etc.

The furthest I get is a black screen with 4 blue windows and a white circle begins to spin then stops or sometimes get the BYSOD. Any insight would be appreciated!

[ken_david]

Burning W11 iso to DVD and will give that a try just in case it is an issue with the USB setup.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The notebook does not meet Microsoft's minimum W11 hardware requirements.

I recommend you install W10 using the media creation tool and then see the discussion at the link below for how to upgrade your notebook from W10 > W11.

Re: Issues upgrading to windows 11 - HP Support Community - 8517912

If the in-place upgrade fails, you should be able to clean install W11 using the bootable W11 installation flash drive you made with Rufus.

[ken_david]

Thanks Paul, makes sense since I am getting the same BSOD stop code: Machine Check Exception when using the DVD.

I'll give W10 installation a try. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.