Windows 10 Update 1803 failure, tried everything...

[ddurkee]

I was handed this laptop that haas been sitting on a shelf for the last 8 months as it had intermittent issues. I ran the extended hardware tests and found a read error on the HDD, so into Costco warranty service it went. They replaced the HDD but with a slightly different model number than the previous one. It was returned with a bare install of Windows 10 home and I immediately started the update process. No installs of any software, bloatware - anything. It downloaded and updated Windows defender and a couple small items and then tried to install Update 1803. No go with unpredictable errors. I looked through hardware profiles, etc, and found two disks, the second being a "disk" that appeared in the disk properties that said C: (missing) and had an icon like a folder. The protection was "on" so I switched it to "off and it dissappeared showing only the remaining actual C: drive. As it appeared that this was a drive that was image3d at the warranty place, not installed properly, I just did a full restore of Windows 10. Kept no files, full blowout. Now I get consistent errors which are related - one is a 0xc1900200 (machine doesn't meet miniumum hardware requirements) and "We couldn't update the system reserved partition".

As far as the 0xc1900200 - this machine is on the HP list of tested hardware that runs with the 1803 update, and the specs are far above the minimum requirements - 12Gb RAM, 2.4 Ghz multi-core processor, 1Tb HDD, etc.

With the "couldn't update the system reserved partition" error, the drive specs are attached. The update has been tried both online and with the assistant - the assitant showing that the hardware checks out on the update test. Disk management shows a number of partitions that windows 10 makes without drive letters - all have a ton of space. If I attempt to get properties on the unlabled partitions 1 and 3, all I get in the dropdown menu (rt-clk) is a greyed out "help" and a fully greyed out menu on the EFI system partition (2).  I've run disk cleanup, the Update Utility from Microsoft, etc, etc.

I've tried everything that I know and have researched numerous hours worth of forums, etc. About ready to send this machine back to hell from whence it was spewed forth...

[CherylG · Accepted solution]

@ddurkee

Wipe it all and start fresh. Your Windows 10 license key is embedded in BIOS and you can reinstall Windows . Microsoft provides the free Media Creation Tool to download files and create a Windows 10 usb flash drive.Big advantage is you will have latest 1803 version of Windows 10 with most updates. At least 8gb flash drive required:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Select Download tool now, and select Run.
If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.
On the What do you want to do? page, select" Create installation media for another PC", and then select Next.( even if you are doing this on the laptop)
Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit ) for Windows 10.
The Guide here shows the steps. Step 5 says to uncheck the box- but if you are creating the USB Media on the laptop it is intended for this isn't necessary and it should make the correct selections for you:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-create-bootable-usb-flash-drive-install-windows-10-a.html
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When the flash drive is prepared insert it in a usb port. Power on the laptop and immediately start tapping Esc key. From the menu tap F9 key and use the arrow keys to move to and select usb. Tap Enter key.
When installing and you go through first few screens- choose Custom and select each partition and delete each .Install on the unallocated space left from that process.Continue with installation.It should pickup the key from BIOS but if it asks at any point just choose "I don't have a key". It will continue and should activate once you are online.

This will not include the original software from HP but most of it can be installed from your Support page.

Just had another thought. Costco installed a plain Windows 10 and I am wondering if they tried with 1803 included and it failed. Might be a good idea to call and ask before wiping the hdd. It could be that they just had Windows 10  V.1709 and used it rather than making a new installer but better to be safe and ask. 

[ddurkee]

Cheryl , thank you for the links and information. I know I can start form scratch (again) but was hoping for an easier fix and having someone say "hey, you didn't try this"...  I don't know how the License key would be embedded in BIOS or UEFI and further more, I updated the BIOS as well. It was out of date, and since I'm rebuilding it's really easy to get the foundation pieces done first.

I'll wait for a couple more resonses before I go through with flattening the drive and starting over.

[CherylG]

HP programs the license key in BIOS- no MS labels any more attached to bottom that can easily be stolen. Updating BIOS has no effect on the key programmed in.

There may be someone else who has a magic bullet but if you browse the forum you will see others having the same problem and usually a clean install is how it is solved.