Thanks for the responses. Here is what I’ve done. I left the USB on the machine, even when I've created my credentials, set the privacy settings, the wizard went back to the region options (which is starting the configuration process again). So what I've done, I wiped the ssd and right before the restart button appears after installing the OS, i took out the USB, it was smooth sailing afterwards. Weird that this is the first time that has ever happened to me. I guess HP Mini's are designed differently, thanks again.