Advice on Obtaining EOM Disk from Manufacturer

BargainBobcat on 16/10/2018 - 17:28
Last edited 16/10/2018 - 17:29

I have an laptop which is over a couple of years old. The system has a 32GB disk and upgrading any feature update with Windows 10 was a pain so I decided to install linux and use it for a web browser on the couch.

I wiped the disk thinking I could just install a new OS to find it too hard basket with it's uefi settings and lack of options in the bios.

I called the manufacurer and they said I can ship it back to them for $250 and they can put the OS back on. I just wanted to download the original oem image.

In reality I have spent more time then it is worth. The bin might be the only option, but just being a tight a###.

If out of warranty, do we have any rights to obtain the oem media without paying $250? Seems a bit excessive.

I left the company name out as I am not sure if that is allowed when having a rant.

Computing

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2018 - 17:39

    I suggest you look at the support website, file sharing sites, ebay e.g. https://www.ebay.com/b/HP-OEM-Operating-System-Software/1122… or give the model number and a helpful ozbargainer might burn you a disc or usb

  • HighAndDry on 16/10/2018 - 17:53
    +1

    Do you have the original Windows Licence key somewhere? You can get the image from a lot of places, and it'd be completely legal if you have an actual licence key. Which Win are you looking for?

  • BargainBobcat on 16/10/2018 - 18:08

    Thanks, After trying to upgrade and running out of space, windows was in a bad state. There are tools where I could have mounted the disk and got the key, but assumed the manufacturer would let me download the image. The US site has the facility but the Australian notebook s/n's dont register on it. I ran diskpart and clean which was where it went all pretty wrong. Guess I will keep mucking with it as a hobby until I get too frustrated with it. Thanks for your comments. I love Ozbargain!

  • Alan Laz on 16/10/2018 - 18:27
    +3

    My tiny knowledge, shared with you, is that Windows 10 knows that it was installed on your lappy earlier and so you can simply reinstall windows again from a fresh install disk, say on a USB,

    Obtain the correct Windows install here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/

    Use RUFUS to install windows on a USB stick

    When you're installing Windows and you're asked for a serial number, just tab through. As long as you had windows 10 installed before, the windows install will validate nicely and you'll be on your way.

    Suggest you visit the laptop manufacturer site and download all the machine specific drivers before, and put them on another USB stick. Although Windows drivers are usually good enough anyway these days.

    Just fixed up my HP 11 inch touchscreen toy, similar approach. The HP has a 32GB eMMC SSD, Windows 10 and there is at least 10GB free on the disk. You need to clean the install files quickly.

    • Switchblade88 on 16/10/2018 - 19:51

      Exactly this process above is what you want.

      Rufus link: https://rufus.ie/ - use this to create a bootable USB.

      Check Computer Management for any extraneous drivers, and get those from the manufacturer. I've found Win10 pretty good for most items, unlike the Win98 days :/

      Profit!

  • Master Bates on 16/10/2018 - 18:34

    Did you try following a guide to installing Linux on UEFI such as this?

  • Sinful on 16/10/2018 - 20:28

    Open disk manager, usually laptops will have a hidden partition with a disk image.
    Check to see if there is a partition not showing… see if it was more than a couple hundred megabytes.

    If it is there, you will have to go about unhiding it and booting/loading the image from it.

    Edit: You might have formatted it when installing linux, but good to check anyways.

  • onevstheworld on 17/10/2018 - 08:49

    You don't need a physical disk. You can download the software to create the installation medium (usb or disc) from MS.

    In fact, I don't think you even need a licence key. AFAIK the only downside of not having a key is you can't personalize your desktop.

    https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.howtogeek.com/244678/you…

  • BargainBobcat on 17/10/2018 - 18:28

    Thanks everyone - I tried several of the suggestions above even tried different linux media. Windows Install needs needs to load a driver to see the disk. I am starting to think there could be issues with the disk - Linux complains about I/O write errors but found out it is soldered onto the motherboard which is pretty annoying. I have a USB disk which I might have to try to boot from. I could try Hirens boot disk and other tools out there. TBH, I think this may need to be recycled - enough time spent!

    • Switchblade88 on 17/10/2018 - 22:38

      32Gb drive, probably soldered on - that's not a good sign :/

      I'd suggest USB booting and/or installing Chrome OS, specifically CloudReady - https://www.neverware.com/freedownload/

      Brilliant for reviving almost anything, and being a vanilla Chromebook experience is great - it just works.

      Assuming that's it's not a hardware issue, after all…

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