Unable to obtain restore image from HP Cloud Recovery Tool - HP Stream - 14-ax020nr

[Nevermnd]

Hi,

I'm trying to help a friend of a friend restore their HP Stream - 14-ax020nr.

Unfortunately I am trying to do this remotely. I tried obtaining the recovery image from the HP Tool, but for some reason it is not taking/accepting the product ID.

Also, since this is a really inexpensive consumer grade machine, there is no Win product key sticker, so I can't use a direct image for Microsoft either.

Unfortunately, IMHO, HP chose some *horrible* color combinations here, so the text on the device is barely readable, but this is the best picture I could get them to send me:

The best I can tell the product ID is: X7545UA#ABA but the tool won't take it/tells me it is not valid.

I'm not sure how then to obtain the image.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

I am getting the same 'not available when I enter the product number with the #ABA or the #ABL (Canada suffix).

The X7545UA is definitely the correct product number as indicated on the product specs page.

HP Stream - 14-ax020nr (ENERGY STAR) Product Specifications | HP® Support

You'll have to make a plain W10 USB installation flash drive with the media creation tool from the link below:

Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

The W10 product key is encrypted in the notebook's BIOS so you don't need a product key to reinstall Windows.

After W10 has completed installing, you can install the drivers and available software from the support page.

HP Stream - 14-ax020nr Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support

[Nevermnd]

Oh, okay-- I didn't realize there was such a thing as BIOS encrypted keys. I will try that.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

There have been no Windows product key stickers on OEM PC's since Windows 8 came out in 2012.

Since then, the product keys have been encrypted in the BIOS to prevent the use of the OEM product key on a different PC, which is a violation of the Microsoft OEM software licensing terms.

The last OEM product key labels ended with Windows 7.

[Nevermnd]

Hm-- I have an older HP refurb that came with a Refurb Win 10 Pro sticker; But then I never by new.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

That's because the refurbisher didn't manufacture the PC, and if the PC came with W8 or newer, if you download and install the free Showkey Plus app from the Microsoft Store, it will show you the original Windows OEM product key in the BIOS and the version of Windows the key was good for.

ShowKeyPlus - Microsoft Apps

That is unless the PC refurbisher also replaced the motherboard.