Feb 12, 2020

My pixelbook says it has been configured with a malformed hardware ID. Is there an easy way to fix?

I have powerwashed, and reset the device from a USB thumb drive. I have checked 'about system' to confirm the HWID is 'unknown.' I have also read some manual type of things on Reddit but I found it hard to follow and difficult. Is there a straight forward simple step by step guide to fixing this? Thank you for your help and attention.

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Jim Dantin

Product Expert Alumni

I'm a volunteer Mr. Fixit who uses Sherlock Holmes diagnostic techniques.

Feb 12, 2020

You really should return it ASAP.

You will have unending problems until it is put back into OEM condition. Without knowing exactly what the previous user did to it, that is a very difficult procedure, that is beyond the scope of help we can provide here.

Product Expert Alumni Joe Ellett recommended this

Original Poster Justin Landis marked this as an answer

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Jim Dantin

Product Expert Alumni

I'm a volunteer Mr. Fixit who uses Sherlock Holmes diagnostic techniques.

Feb 12, 2020

What is the history of that Pixelbook?

Has it been modified at any point to run Linux or Windows or some other operating system? Has the BIOS been modified?

Original Poster Justin Landis marked this as an answer

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All Replies (6)

Jim Dantin

Product Expert Alumni

I'm a volunteer Mr. Fixit who uses Sherlock Holmes diagnostic techniques.

Recommended Answer

Feb 12, 2020

What is the history of that Pixelbook?

Has it been modified at any point to run Linux or Windows or some other operating system? Has the BIOS been modified?

Original Poster Justin Landis marked this as an answer

Justin Landis

Original Poster

Feb 12, 2020

Unfortunately I'm not sure as I bought it from a PC vendor online. It is in very good condition, however. I assume someone put another os on it at some point and didn't bother to fix the HWID when reinstalling Cros. I'm contacting the seller but I'm doubtful that they would know the history of the device. is there anything I can do to fix this? Thank you for your time. It is much appreciated.

Jim Dantin

Product Expert Alumni

I'm a volunteer Mr. Fixit who uses Sherlock Holmes diagnostic techniques.

Recommended Answer

Feb 12, 2020

You really should return it ASAP.

Product Expert Alumni Joe Ellett recommended this

Original Poster Justin Landis marked this as an answer

Justin Landis

Original Poster

Feb 13, 2020

Thank you for your suggestion. I am in communication with the seller. I am planning to return it as per your advice however I think there might be one last thing that I can do. Well I am curious to see if an idea would work. As of now when I recover the the Pixelbook the recovery tool only offers me the generic selection of 'pixelbook.' When making the recovery on my Asus C434 the recovery tool suggests I use the specific HWID SHYVANA C5M-A4D-B4Q-S24-A5F. If only I had a similar HWID code for my Pixelbook I could force it to recovery with that HWID as there is a place to tell it what the HWID is. I think this might solve the problem. Would you or anyone else happen to know the HWID for pixelbook i5 version? I cannot seem to find it anywhere online.

Jim Dantin

Product Expert Alumni

I'm a volunteer Mr. Fixit who uses Sherlock Holmes diagnostic techniques.

Feb 13, 2020

Nope - that won't work. Your Pixelbook has been modified, and Recovery will not work now.

Justin Landis

Original Poster

Feb 13, 2020

Thank you for your close attention. You have been very helpful. I guess I've got to send this one back as you've suggested.