Solved All apps and Charm Bar missing from Desktop

KAHSR

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Member
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Hi everyone,

Right off the bat I must tell you I have only used Win 8 afew times "on this LT". It belongs to a friend and I can usually gethim out of trouble. This time not so much.

It is a HP Pavilion and that is really all I can tell youabout it. Below is why:

When I power up the machine it opens to "what I presumeis the Desktop" OK. However there is only the clock, Wi-Fi and Batt/ACicon on the screen. There are no Apps showing, no Charm Bar and no keyboardshortcuts work at all. If I click any place on the screen it opens to a gmailsign in page and that is it.

I probably should also mention that I get nothing hovering mymouse in the lower right corner. I didn't want to assume folks would knowthis:)

Now the clincher is that this is his wife's machine and shecan't remember the PW for this gmail account. So I can't even sign into it tosee if that even brings me anyplace beyond the gmail account.

One thing I did notice was that an automatic update diddownload itself while I was writing this. I shut down and let them load andrestart hoping maybe all would be well on the restart. Not that lucky.

Oh, and did I mention he did not receive a disc with themachine nor was he in tuned to create a Rescue Disc.

Any ideas how to get him out of this jam.

Thanks,
KAHSR

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
I suppose C-A-D doesn't work since you say no keyboard shortcuts work?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
Hello ,your really testing my dyslexia with creating all those one words[keyboardshortcuts] out of 2 and 3 words .lol

Turn on the computer and press the F9 key during the screen with the HP logo to see if you can run diagnostic
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf-JAVA/Doc...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
Check in Properties for the Task bar, to make sure the proper boxes are checked. No third party tool like Classic Shell or Start8 installed, is there?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Hello ,your really testing my dyslexia with creating all those one words[keyboardshortcuts] out of 2 and 3 words .lol

Turn on the computer and press the F9 key during the screen with the HP logo to see if you can run diagnostic
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf-JAVA/Doc...

Here is what I see with F9:

Boot option Menu

OS boot Manager
" " "
Boot From EFI File

arrows to change option, Enter to select an option.

Press F10 to BIOS Setup Options, ESC to exit.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
Check in Properties for the Task bar, to make sure the proper boxes are checked. No third party tool like Classic Shell or Start8 installed, is there?

Sorry, I really don't know how to check the Properties of the Task bar with the machine in the condition it is in.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
Hi everyone,


Let me see if I can eliminate some of the simpler things . . . I'm going to separate some of the words you've "run together" while I'm at it.

Right off the bat I must tell you I have only used Win 8 a few times "on this LT". It belongs to a friend and I can usually get him out of trouble. This time not so much.
It is a HP Pavilion and that is really all I can tell you about it. Below is why:

Turn the laptop over and paddle its bottom for being such a bad boy. :) You should see a "slider" just underneath the battery compartment which is located on the hinge side of the laptop. Slide this to the right or left, as the case may be, and the battery should pop up. Look inside and you should see (mine's at the far right end) an hp logo and what it is. Mine's a Pavilion g6. Underneath that is the Serial: 5CG128 . . . (which is the beginning of mine). There's a lot of other information within this battery compartment.

When I power up the machine it opens to "what I presume is the Desktop" OK. However there is only the clock, Wi-Fi and Batt/AC icon on the screen. There are no Apps showing, no Charm Bar and no keyboard shortcuts work at all. If I click any place on the screen it opens to a gmail sign in page and that is it.
I probably should also mention that I get nothing hovering my mouse in the lower right corner. I didn't want to assume folks would know this :)

Try hovering your mouse at the top right corner to get the charm bar or in the bottom left corner to get a "start menu".

Now the clincher is that this is his wife's machine and she can't remember the PW for this gmail account. So I can't even sign into it to see if that even brings me anyplace beyond the gmail account.

First, get her username/email address. Also, she probably created a security phrase . . . something like her first dog, her mother's maiden name, father's middle name, etc. Get that from her too. Then go to gmail.com click on sign-in, give her email address and click the "Need help?" link. Now follow the yellow brick road for password help. Once you've been successful, she'll have to change her password so you won't have it. :)

One thing I did notice was that an automatic update did download itself while I was writing this. I shut down and let them load and restart hoping maybe all would be well on the restart. Not that lucky.

I hope you don't mean what I read . . . Surely you didn't actually shut down the computer; you just quit what you were doing and let the updates download and install?

Oh, and did I mention he did not receive a disc with the machine nor was he in tuned to create a Rescue Disc.

The day of actual rescue disks being included with a new computer are long, long, long, a very long way in the past. I'm pretty sure there are/were instructions included for making the rescue disk(s).

Any ideas how to get him out of this jam.

If System Restore is turned on that should work; however, I'm pretty sure it will depend upon whether you can actually get into the computer. Go here in the Windows 8 Tutorials for instructions. I haven't read the complete instructions, but hopefully, they will work for you. http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4692-system-restore-how-do-windows-8-a.html

Good luck . . .

Thanks,
KAHSR
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
C-A-D means to press the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys at the same time. If that works, you should be able to bring up Task Manager, find the Gmail app on the Processes tab, highlight it by clicking on it using the mouse, then click the "End task" on the bottom right corner of the Task Manager dialog.

You may also be able to access Task Manager by right-clicking on the bar at the bottom of the screen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
C-A-D means to press the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys at the same time. If that works, you should be able to bring up Task Manager, find the Gmail app on the Processes tab, highlight it by clicking on it using the mouse, then click the "End task" on the bottom right corner of the Task Manager dialog.

You may also be able to access Task Manager by right-clicking on the bar at the bottom of the screen.

Duh, brain fart, I should have know that:) Yes, I did try that as one of my first hopes to no avail at all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
so what about wynoas and my suggestions any results from those
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
I hope this clears things up a bit.

Hi everyone,


Let me see if I can eliminate some of the simpler things . . . I'm going to separate some of the words you've "run together" while I'm at it.

Right off the bat I must tell you I have only used Win 8 a few times "on this LT". It belongs to a friend and I can usually get him out of trouble. This time not so much.

Turn the laptop over and paddle its bottom for being such a bad boy. :) You should see a "slider" just underneath the battery compartment which is located on the hinge side of the laptop. Slide this to the right or left, as the case may be, and the battery should pop up. Look inside and you should see (mine's at the far right end) an hp logo and what it is. Mine's a Pavilion g6. Underneath that is the Serial: 5CG128 . . . (which is the beginning of mine). There's a lot of other information within this battery compartment.

Here are photos of what I found under the Battery:

DSCN7519_zpsf799e5ec.jpg

DSCN7518_zps5be336d0.jpg


Try hovering your mouse at the top right corner to get the charm bar or in the bottom left corner to get a "start menu".

I have tried hovering from Top Right all the way around the screen and back to the Top Right again and nothing shows.

First, get her username/email address. Also, she probably created a security phrase . . . something like her first dog, her mother's maiden name, father's middle name, etc. Get that from her too. Then go to gmail.com click on sign-in, give her email address and click the "Need help?" link. Now follow the yellow brick road for password help. Once you've been successful, she'll have to change her password so you won't have it. :)

I have tried that route also, she doesn't even remember setting up the email account. She was pretty good about making notes about the accounts she did open so this is a bit confusing to both of us.

I hope you don't mean what I read . . . Surely you didn't actually shut down the computer; you just quit what you were doing and let the updates download and install?

Oh, yes I let the download complete and shutdown and restart:) I had kind of hoped that would cure the problem by fluke but of course it didn't.

Oh, and did I mention he did not receive a disc with the machine nor was he in tuned to create a Rescue Disc.

The day of actual rescue disks being included with a new computer are long, long, long, a very long way in the past. I'm pretty sure there are/were instructions included for making the rescue disk(s).

Yes, indeed they are, it is all about the Almighty Dollar:( Bill, knows nothing about rescue disks no less creating one. You can be sure I will be creating one for him when I get this thing repaired. "Note to self, make one for myself also".

Any ideas how to get him out of this jam.

If System Restore is turned on that should work; however, I'm pretty sure it will depend upon whether you can actually get into the computer. Go here in the Windows 8 Tutorials for instructions. I haven't read the complete instructions, but hopefully, they will work for you. http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4692-system-restore-how-do-windows-8-a.html

I had seen this tutorial but I am unable to use it because nothing works. No keystrokes are recognized and there are NO responses from the mouse along the complete border of the screen. I can't even create a Command Prompt because of the keyboard issue.

Good luck . . .

Thanks so much for sticking with me on this, I really appreciate it.

Thanks,
KAHSR
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
How old is the computer? If it's still in warranty, the path of least resistance is to send it back to HP; however, the computer will be reset to factory specs. IOW, just like she got it before installing all her stuff on it.

If she has important data on the drive, it can be slaved to another computer in order to get the files off it. But there may be a huge "gotcha" with that . . . it's very possible she's picked up malware somewhere and if that's so, you don't want to let the drive anywhere near a working computer without taking safety measures. We have security experts in these forums that can tell you the safest way to get files from your drive.

If you have access to an ISO of Windows 8 it is possible to reinstall Windows 8, leaving the data intact.

If you haven't already, you may want to try one of these options.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4935-startup-options-menu-boot-windows-8-a.html

Or, you could try to refresh the laptop. There should be a backup OS partition.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2293-refresh-windows-8-a.html

If neither of those work, here's the link to the Windows 8 Tutorial Index. Look for Restore, Recovery, Refresh, System Restore, etc.; and any other words that may help you. There's a wealth of info in the Tutorials.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6795-windows-8-tutorial-index-2.html#post95023
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by KAHSR Hi everyone,

Let me see if I can eliminate some of the simpler things . . . I'm going to separate some of the words you've "run together" while I'm at it.


quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by KAHSR
Right off the bat I must tell you I have only used Win 8 a few times "on this LT". It belongs to a friend and I can usually get him out of trouble. This time not so much.




quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by KAHSR

It is a HP Pavilion and that is really all I can tell you about it. Below is why:



Turn the laptop over and paddle its bottom for being such a bad boy. :) You should see a "slider" just underneath the battery compartment which is located on the hinge side of the laptop. Slide this to the right or left, as the case may be, and the battery should pop up. Look inside and you should see (mine's at the far right end) an hp logo and what it is. Mine's a Pavilion g6. Underneath that is the Serial: 5CG128 . . . (which is the beginning of mine). There's a lot of other information within this battery compartment.

Here are two photos that should help:

DSCN7516_zpsd1f50e80.jpg

DSCN7518_zps5be336d0.jpg


quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by KAHSR
When I power up the machine it opens to "what I presume is the Desktop" OK. However there is only the clock, Wi-Fi and Batt/AC icon on the screen. There are no Apps showing, no Charm Bar and no keyboard shortcuts work at all. If I click any place on the screen it opens to a gmail sign in page and that is it.




quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by KAHSR

I probably should also mention that I get nothing hovering my mouse in the lower right corner. I didn't want to assume folks would know this :)



Try hovering your mouse at the top right corner to get the charm bar or in the bottom left corner to get a "start menu".

I have hovered the mouse from the T/R Corner all the way around the monitor and back to the T/R corner again nothing shows.

quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by KAHSR
Now the clincher is that this is his wife's machine and she can't remember the PW for this gmail account. So I can't even sign into it to see if that even brings me anyplace beyond the gmail account.



First, get her username/email address. Also, she probably created a security phrase . . . something like her first dog, her mother's maiden name, father's middle name, etc. Get that from her too. Then go to gmail.com click on sign-in, give her email address and click the "Need help?" link. Now follow the yellow brick road for password help. Once you've been successful, she'll have to change her password so you won't have it. :)

Yes, that is a problem also, I did try that she doesn't even remember opening that gmail account at all. She was very (too) good about making notes of the accounts she opened and the information to open them. This makes me believer her when she says she doesn't remember doing it.
quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by KAHSR
One thing I did notice was that an automatic update did download itself while I was writing this. I shut down and let them load and restart hoping maybe all would be well on the restart. Not that lucky.





I hope you don't mean what I read . . . Surely you didn't actually shut down the computer; you just quit what you were doing and let the updates download and install?

LOL, no I may have worded it wrong. I let them all download and install. Then let it restart with fingers crossed it might just solver her problem. No such luck for me.
quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by KAHSR
Oh, and did I mention he did not receive a disc with the machine nor was he in tuned to create a Rescue Disc.





The day of actual rescue disks being included with a new computer are long, long, long, a very long way in the past. I'm pretty sure there are/were instructions included for making the rescue disk(s).

Yes, I know they did, it is all about the Almighty Dollar to MS and others. Bill doesn't even know what a Rescue Disk is no less create one. Trust me when I get this thing working properly I will be making 2 discs, that way I "will" know where it is when I need it. Which I am sure I will, this is the 4th time I have had to bail my buddy out. I have always been able to do so "not even have used Win 8" but this time his wife got me good.
quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by KAHSR
Any ideas how to get him out of this jam.



If System Restore is turned on that should work; however, I'm pretty sure it will depend upon whether you can actually get into the computer. Go here in the Windows 8 Tutorials for instructions. I haven't read the complete instructions, but hopefully, they will work for you. System Restore - How to Do in Windows 8

I did see this tutorial but being unable to use the keyboard it is impossible to accomplish anything this way. I can't even get a Command Prompt on the Desktop. Hum, speaking of which why don't I show you just what I am seeing.

DSCN7520.JPG


DSCN7523.JPG

Sorry about the flash and light but I think they are clear enough for you to get an idea of what I am dealing with. I doesn't matter what I do that second screen pops up. At least it allows me to have the shutdown option and the lower right corner.

Good luck . . .

Thanks for sticking with me on this problem I really do appreciate it.

Thanks,
KAHSR
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
Sorry I didn't think my other post showed up, at least you can now see the screen shots:)

KAHSR
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
Wynona, thanks for the great ideas! I checked HP for Warranty status and it came back "Call HP". According to the sticker it was "Born in Aug of 2013. I don't know if Bill ever even registered it. I need a break for this thing but will get back to you later this evening or sometime Monday with my results from your suggestions.

Thanks,
KAHSR
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
Wynona, thanks for the great ideas! I checked HP for Warranty status and it came back "Call HP". According to the sticker it was "Born in Aug of 2013. I don't know if Bill ever even registered it. I need a break for this thing but will get back to you later this evening or sometime Monday with my results from your suggestions.

Thanks,
KAHSR

Even if he hasn't yet registered it, he has the necessary data to do so now. He needs the model number and serial number, which are in the top photo. That and an approximate date of purchase and where from should be sufficient. Of course, if he has the receipt, that would be a plus.

Just be sure he knows any data or other programs on the machine will disappear and the lappy will be taken back to factory specs if he sends it in for warranty repair.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Yes, unfortunately it is way out of warranty. So they will have to pay them anyway. I guess I will just use the built in recovery and deal with tweaking it back to what I had done for her months ago "If I remember how and what I did:)"

Thanks again to everyone for your help.

KAHSR
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
Well so much for that thought, when I went to do the recovery I was greeted with "Unable to reset your PC. A required drive partion is missing.

Looks like I order the disks from HP and wait until they get here. The fantastic part is I have no clue what the license # is. It just continues to get better.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
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