unable to reload Win 10

[Charlie313]

The hard drive in the laptop failed.  I replaced the hard drive with a new one.  I downloaded a copy of the Windows 10 ISO, from the microsoft web site, and attempted to re-install win 10.

The install program came back saying the Microsoft software license was not found.

After looking around HP's site I found that the Win 10 paper key dosen't really exist after the initial entry.  But there is something somewhere within the computer (in the BIOS, maybe) that tells the install progam it's a valid install.

This is missing.  I worked with microsoft techs for almost two hours.  Their conclusion is that I need a new paper key which means that I need to buy another copy of win 10.

I find it very hard to believe that changing out a hard drive requires a person to by a new copy.  Thay added, that HP should be able to provide one but I can't find a way to actually get inside the company.

Any help?

[IT_WinSec]

Hello,

Welcome to the HP Support forum. Thank you for posting.

The model 15 - f211wm comes with Windows 10 preinstalled and this is an OEM license. It's a bit of a pity that Microsoft techs lost your time - the Windows you downloaded from the Microsoft website is licenses with either Digital Entitlement method or with a FPP license (full product package) . The license Microsoft sells to OEM PC vendors (like HP) is called OEM license and is licensed with a different method.

And yes, HP prodives the way to reinstall Windows and license it in such cases.

- You need to visit this web site here >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-15-Notebook-PC-series/7630399/model/8788164

- Select Win 10 as operating system

- At the bottom of the drivers list, click on and expand "Order Recovery Media - ..."

- Follow the on-screen instructions to order the media for your PC model > 15 - f211wm

Once you receive the USB recovery device, you need to boot from it and follow the instructions to complete the process. Here are detailed instructions >> http://hp.dezide.com/ts/start.jsp?guide=HPSystemRecovery.net&section=ccweb&SFS=tdoc&language=english...

Please, note that the original recovery media is paid (not free) because of the costs of the device and the shipping costs. All users are provided with a chance to either create their own recovery media before or use the built-in recovery partition. But in your cases, due to the HDD replacement, it is gone . More info >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00006110

In order for the recovery media to work, your new HDD needs to have the same capacity or bigger than the original one.  if your former HDD was with 500 GB capacity, your new HDD/SDD must also be 500 GB or with bigger capacity (e.g. 750 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, etc...)

Hope this helps. Let me know if this works and if you face difficulties.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

I have zipped up and attached a utility that should identify the product key in the BIOS.

If it is not there, HP probably installed the wrong system board in your notebook...one that was supposed to come with FREE DOS, where there would be no W10 product key.

Chapter 3, page 17 of the service manual for your notebook shows that there is a motherboard that is for no Windows operating system.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04763947

If the W10 OEM product key is not there, see this post, and ask HP to send you a W10 Home product key, like this person did.

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-System-and-Recovery/Missing-CoA-Embedded-Windows-8-P...

[Charlie313]

Hello,  I checked the manual and the motherboard; sure enough the motherboard ends with 001 which according to the manual is a non-windows motherboard.  

Which just adds to my concerns about this laptop.  This is the same laptop that I posted about for not having a fan.

Thanks for the assist.

Bill

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I don't believe that the notebooks with Celeron processors come with fans.

So that would be normal.

But you definitely should have gotten a MB with a product key.