I would try a RAW file system recovery utility first, to try and recovery your customers data. Is the COA sticker still attached to the computer case? The product key should be on the COA sticker. Then you can download Windows 8 ISO from heidoc.net. Otherwise, I'm stumped.
Hi
W8 comps ONLY came with a postage stamp sized sticker, usually on the rear of the laptop
4 windows and Windows 8 id.
As all W8 comps came with EUFI bios the product key was stamped into it during manufacture
You DO NOT need a product key.
Roy
BIG NOTE that failure code is bad news HD on its way out
Solved: hard drive smart check failed - HP Support Community - 6204624
Roy
So to recap, best bet is to take out the HD and run it in a hd bay to retrieve the data?
There are no stickers, just an INTEL one.
"As all W8 comps came with EUFI bios the product key was stamped into it during manufacture
You DO NOT need a product key."
This I cannot find, even using a magnifying glass.
Hi
Yes back-up to an external.
Product key like i said its Imprinted in the motherboard during manufacter,
Use this tool to retrieve it
ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Forums
Roy
Probably the old owner deleted the C: partition to erase all his data.
I would do a Factory recover. It will load an image from the Recovery partition. You will end with a installation as it came from HP.
You can launch the Factory recover from BIOS.
Resetting Your PC to Resolve Problems (Windows 8)
Will this save the data on the drive? I am still trying to save the data from the drive before I do anything else...
The C: partitions is RAW (not formatted) so there is nothing on it.
What data are you trying to retrieve? In witch partition it was on?
This is a fix for someone, so I have no idea. They said they have data on it they want to save, not sure if it is pics, video or docs...I think it has some school work or something on it. I am just going to check the drive and copy the contents to a USB and go from there
Last edited by netrate; 27 Dec 2018 at 19:34.
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