Stream 8 update frozen (and other problems)

Question

Hello All,
I got a Stream 8 for my wife for Christmas, set it up for her and updated with windows update on Dec 15th 2014.  After Christmas, the tablet seemed to be working for her, but then became really laggy...
Problem #1
Windows Update screen will not open, and when I try to access it from the control panel the window becomes frozen.  I have left it on this screen plugged in over night, twice, hoping that it was simply a large update that would rectify itself if given enough time.
I was hoping to turn off automatic windows update to stall any automatic update while I attempted HP software updates
That Failed.
Problem #2
I attempted to Download the HP Stream 8 BIOS update after I went onto the HP site and downlaoded the HP install program.  That also got stuck at 0% overnight.
Failed to downlaod anything, so I closed the program and restarted
Problem #3
Windows Store Fails to load - just keeps spinning
Problem #4
Sound is terrible - tinny and digitized on 50% volume.  Speakers sound broken.
Any recomendations for attempting to fix the windows update issue?  
I bought this Stream 8 tablet from the Windows Store , and it seemed to work for ~3 days...  I want my wife to be able to use this as a home tablet and travel computer that has much greater functionality for work than my Nexus 7.
Thanks for any guidance!

Answer 1

Hey @HawaiianHP ,
Welcome to the HP Forums!
I understand you're experiencing issues with updating your Stream 8 tablet, using the Windows store, and sound quality.
Issues with Windows Update:
Troubleshoot problems with installing updates.
Issues with Windows App Store:
Reset and Register the Windows App Store.
Sound Issues:
No Sound from the Speakers (Windows 8).
Set the audio quality to a higher quality:
1. Right click the Speaker icon in the bottom right corner by your time.
2. Click Playback Devices.
3. Click Speakers.
4. Click properties.
5. Click the advanced tab on the Properties window.
6. Change the Default Format drop-down to the highest quality.
7. Apply the properties.
8. Click OK to close the properties window.
9. Click OK to close the Playback Devices.
10. Test.
BIOS download from HP: 
Try an alternate browser like Chrome or FireFox. If you have already, clear any cache or cookies for the browser and try again.
Let me know if any of that helps.
Please click the "Kudos, Thumbs Up" at the bottom of this post if you want to say "Thanks" for helping!
Please click "Accept as Solution" if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
The Great Deku Tree
I work on behalf of HP.