HP all in one computer, bypass password.

Bottom_Feeder said:
Yeah, that thing is quite under-powered. The 4GB of RAM and spinning drive isn't doing it any favors, especially 10 years later. Personally, I enjoy upgrading old computers so any advice I give you will not give you a lot of return for your money.

How comfortable are you with taking it apart to replace the memory? I can't find a service manual on HP's website for it. The one video I've found regarding that specific model makes it look pretty easy, but it's showing the hard drive being swapped and not the RAM. The RAM is underneath one of those metal shields and shouldn't be too hard to get to.



Personally, I'd just put another 4GB SODIMM in it and be done. 8GB is plenty for that system and anything more would be a waste. Can't beat 5 bucks for this:

https://www.amazon.com/EMMCRAM-PC3L-12800S-Non-ECC-Unbuffered-Notebook/dp/B0C1NLM6HK

What it really needs could use is an SSD but that's a whole other conversation.
Click to expand...

Its easy to take apart. I watched a Video, and opened mine, and snapped the memory in and out.
Two screws on the bottom, and they just turn about a quarter turn, and the back snaps up. Just snap in tabs all around after that. Its pretty slick.
 
mrbreezeet1 said:
I thought/am thinking about a SSD Do I need a new copy of windows, or can I make an install on to a thumb-drive?
Click to expand...

You can make the bootable USB. The key should already be stored "in" the computer so if you want to do a fresh install (recommended), you don't have to enter any key.

Edit: I just saw it's win8.1. I don't know if HP still shipped them with the CD key sticker on those. Generally, my experiences with HP is if they don't have the Windows CD Key sticker on them, the key is "built in" to the system (in layman's term.)
 
I would just do a fresh install of Windows on the SSD of either windows 10 or 11

I have 10/11 education keys, so if you need one, lmk
 
I'm biased since my attempts to mess around with Windows 11 on my GF's PC drives me right up the wall (first Windows since Win7 when I retired in 2010). I'd stick my Linux Mint Mate thumb drive that I carry around on my key ring and zap that sucker.
 
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Pew said:
You can make the bootable USB. The key should already be stored "in" the computer so if you want to do a fresh install (recommended), you don't have to enter any key.

Edit: I just saw it's win8.1. I don't know if HP still shipped them with the CD key sticker on those. Generally, my experiences with HP is if they don't have the Windows CD Key sticker on them, the key is "built in" to the system (in layman's term.)
Click to expand...
it is built in. i did a reinstall after l recovered the password.
Actually it is windows 10, maybe they did the free update at one time.
 
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csandste said:
I'm biased since my attempts to mess around with Windows 11 on my GF's PC drives me right up the wall (first Windows since Win7 when I retired in 2010). I'd stick my Linux Mate thumb drive that I carry around on my key ring and zap that sucker.
Click to expand...
BMW Dom said:
I would just do a fresh install of Windows on the SSD of either windows 10 or 11

I have 10/11 education keys, so if you need one, lmk
Click to expand...
oh, ok thank you.
 
mrbreezeet1 said:
I have an HP all in one computer that was given to me. But It's asking for a password.
Is there a way to get around this, so I can boot it up. He was getting an network adapter error, I think it just needs a network adapter.
Click to expand...
Yeah burn a copy of rescatux for free. There is an option for when you boot the disc to remove the password. I had an old windows 8 laptop that i couldn't remember the password. Worked like a charm.
 
Another 4GB of RAM, a cheap SSD and a clean install of Windows 10 would wake that thing up nicely and inexpensively.

It looks like there's at least one BIOS update available from 2016 on HP's site to make it more Win8.1 compatible so I would check the version you're running and update it if necessary. Not everyone's cup of tea though. I'm generally not one to leave something alone if it works. lol
 
Bottom_Feeder said:
Another 4GB of RAM, a cheap SSD and a clean install of Windows 10 would wake that thing up nicely and inexpensively.

It looks like there's at least one BIOS update available from 2016 on HP's site to make it more Win8.1 compatible so I would check the version you're running and update it if necessary. Not everyone's cup of tea though. I'm generally not one to leave something alone if it works. lol
Click to expand...
Its like a Porsche with a 6.5hp HF engine. Any upgrades are a waste IMO.
I mean a Lay's potato chip might have more processing power than an e1-2500 netbook cpu.

My [email protected] I built in 2011 was aprox 5x faster than this thing.

Nothing will make it non-laggy in 2024. 720p video from youtube would probably choke it.
 
Bottom_Feeder said:
Another 4GB of RAM, a cheap SSD and a clean install of Windows 10 would wake that thing up nicely and inexpensively.

It looks like there's at least one BIOS update available from 2016 on HP's site to make it more Win8.1 compatible so I would check the version you're running and update it if necessary. Not everyone's cup of tea though. I'm generally not one to leave something alone if it works. lol
Click to expand...
l found out it really has win. 10 on it.
 
lt's still a good little computer for in my bedroom.
Just for browsing the lnternet.
Youtube, l can save, and watch on my smart TV
 
Rand said:
Its like a Porsche with a 6.5hp HF engine. Any upgrades are a waste IMO.
I mean a Lay's potato chip might have more processing power than an e1-2500 netbook cpu.

My [email protected] I built in 2011 was aprox 5x faster than this thing.

Nothing will make it non-laggy in 2024. 720p video from youtube would probably choke it.
Click to expand...
Sure, but if he already owns it, likes the form factor, and does what he needs it to for the most part, why not spend 20 bucks and have a little fun with it? No one's telling him to LS swap a Yugo here.
 
Bottom_Feeder said:
My point was that they released fixes for newer Windows operating systems. What they fixed, who knows. But if it's available it's probably worth installing.
Click to expand...
OK Buddy. lt just threw me off when you said 8.1.
I'm with you. You're the only one who seems to think it's an OK little system.
(Well l do too.............................LOL)
 
Bottom_Feeder said:
Sure, but if he already owns it, likes the form factor, and does what he needs it to for the most part, why not spend 20 bucks and have a little fun with it? No one's telling him to LS swap a Yugo here.
Click to expand...
It's a good little system for in my
bedroom.
 
So what is a good little SSD for this computer?
I guess about a one TB Right?
Does this take the same SSD a laptop would take?
 
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