How to register Windows 10 refurbished key

[Ted_L12]

I recently purchased a refurbished HP laptop from a third party. After startup I encountered the bsod. The person I brought from said to scratch off the silver covering the full license key to activate. My problem is, I can't get it to boot so I can register the new license. Can you help please?

[IT_WinSec]

Hello,

Welcome to the HP Support forum.

Getting the PC to boot is different from the Windows activation.

Do you mean BSOD like >this< - if YES< it is  known as Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). BSOD is kind of Windows self-protection feature. If you received a blue screen error, or stop code, the computer has shut down abruptly to protect itself from data loss.

A hardware device, its driver, or related software might have caused this error.What you describe could happen because of incompatible with Windows driver (most often) or because of hardware issue (rarely).

In order to troubleshoot, I would need some specific information.

I would first recommend you test your hardware for issues

1. Please, shutdown the computer using the power button

2. Power it on.

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

This should open a HP Startup Menu which may look similar to this one

3. Choose F2 to open System Diagnostics. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform System Test >> Quick test.

This will check major hardware componets for issue (do it just in case) . Here is more info >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03467259#AbT1

If there is no Quick test available, please perform Hard Drive test and Memory tests

[IT_WinSec]

With regards to the Windows activation:

What kind of Windows license you own, what kind of silver/sticker you mean, please clarify 🙂 Windows 10 is not included with this PC.

HP 15-n228us originally comes with Windows 8.1 preinstalled. As the PC is refurbished, do you want to try with Windows 8.1 ?

[Ted_L12]

It is a multicolored sticker that has a Microsoft logo that says Windows Pro For Refurb PCS. on the top there is three letters, a dash and five numbers (ABC-12345). This is followed by a bar scan. Below that it says: PLANITROI. Below that has a triangle above: Product Key: XXXXX*XXXXX*XXXXX*XXXXX*XXXXX. Above the product key code there is another bar scan with 22 charachters above it. There was a silver (similiar to a lottery scratch off) that said Microsoft that had to be scratched off to reveal 8 of the 25 charchters of the product key. On the very left side there is a Microsoft hologram. 

[Ted_L12]

Both the memory and hard drive tests were good. 

I was able to get the diagnostics to revert back to the last operating system. After loading Windows 10 (I believe), set my personal info as well as a password up and a few minutes later the screen went black. 

[IT_WinSec]

Generally speaking, the refurbisher themselves needs to activate the Windows and give the PC to you with Windows activated. But if this is not the case, you should and can activate it. In case you encounter Windows activation issues, just call Microsoft hotline for activation issues. HP cannot help with the activation of this (if there are some activation issues) because these types of Windows licenses are not supplied by HP.

With regards to the technical aspect: since you have issues and also for security reasons, you may wish to reinstall the entire operating system and activate Windows after Windows is reinstalled. I have no details about what did this third part did and how they did it, who used the PC... therefore getting a clean reinstallation is the best.

Do you have WIndows 10 installation media provided to you with the license ? Windows 10 refurbishes licenses are equivalent to OEM licenses, therefore the popular online method of downloading Windows ISO image will probably not work with the Windows 10 activation therefore.