Computer with W8.1 out

[Aelin]

Sorry, link was more for myself to don't lose it. The person talked to:

- write diskpart and click Enter
list volume and click Enter

A tab appears and a letter must indicate the OS

bcdboot c:windows /L fr-FR and click Enter

... then different possibilities if the invit above works or not.
I give up with W8 comp for tonight.
But I noticed several people that used Ubuntu had the same issue than me. Ubuntu could lock Windows, do you think???

[rrkknight3]

Those directions require that you be able to reach the command line.  When you start the recovery program, does it have an Advanced Options?

[Aelin]

I found a topic in French with somebody proposing to use the "invit command".
http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-28217024-impossible-de-reparer-windows-8
I never used that of my life - or maybe it was that on the old computers of 80's to high school?

[rrkknight3]

That sounds like this problem:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-System-and-Recovery/quot-The-drive-where-windows-is-installed-is-locked-Unlock/td-p/4660110

which is back to the reinstall Windows problem.

[Aelin]

I'm looking to actualize computer. I know I had this option available the first time I saw tools thanks to the bootable USB.
But now, I have a message "the reader where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the reader, then try again".  I never locked that thing for what I know.

[Chiron]

Sorry, I've been away for some minutes browsing for possible solutions. Here are the outcomes:

- Apparently M$ allows to download whatever is required to prepare an USB installer (from scratch) free of charge, but to run it one needs the key.
- Keys are available on the web, legally or less legally. However Aelin purchased her computer legally and complete with Win8.1, thus she has a right to have its key as well.
- Then I double checked and yes, I have here a free healthy unused 1TB SATA HD she can have in exchange for all her free stuff I've downloaded so far :smile:
- A friend of mine I'm going to see next week should be in France before the end of November and, if asked kindly enough, could possibly mail a tiny parcel from inside France.

How does it look like?

[rrkknight3]

I don't believe either of them are going to work.  It sounds like the hard disk has some problem and the scan did not hide the problem, so we keep hitting it.

Perhaps some of the others have something to suggest.

[Aelin]

91% failed again.

So I'm back to the beginning, to options inside Troubleshoot.
Just above HP Manager I have "reinitialize your PC". And again above, "actualize your PC". Must I try one of them?

[Aelin]

I was showing my inexperience here.  Apparently, after Windows 7, the serial number for machines is stored in the "BIOS".  So, it MIGHT work to get the generic Windows 8.1 installer from Microsoft, put it on a USB stick and do the installation without having to find a key.

I copied a lot of codes in the BIOS, but I don't know if really I took the good.

I checked the hard drive yes, manually for a part. And today HP made the job.

[rrkknight3]

If your laptop has a sticker on it with the W8.1 serial number, you can follow post #2 in that URL and download a legal copy of W8.1 for you to install to a USB and then try a reinstall.  Unfortunately, the next step is to download the HP drivers for your laptop and install them as well.

I was showing my inexperience here.  Apparently, after Windows 7, the serial number for machines is stored in the "BIOS".  So, it MIGHT work to get the generic Windows 8.1 installer from Microsoft, put it on a USB stick and do the installation without having to find a key.