HP Envy Not Booting Up

[AjaxTheLesser]

Hello,

When I turn the computer on, it successfully launches to the HP loading screen with the loading circle.  After that, it goes to a black screen.  I cannot give you any of the computer specs because I cannot access windows at the moment.  Ran a Diagnostic and it said the Hard Drive SMART check passed but the Hard Drive Short DST Check Failed.  Does the Hard drive need to be replaced and if so would there be a way to recover the data stored?

[IT_WinSec · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Welcome to the HP Support forum. Thank You for posting !

You are correct - if the short DST check of HDD failed, this means that issue is related to faulty HDD component. Since this is faulty HDD, you will probably not be able to recovery your files. You can try to but there is no guarantee - best would be to recover files from a previously created back-up. I will post instructions *below* how to attempt to access your files.

With regards to the faulty hardware part - your options are:

1) If your computer is still under warranty, please contact HP Support and inform them. They will work with you about the way to replace the faulty component.  Contact HP:

>> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp

2) If your computer is with warranty period expired, you will need to replace the faulty HDD - buy it on your own. There are variety of options - vendors you can choose from. You can get it online or from PC retail store, or from HP parts store http://partsurfer.hp.com/

You can also consider installing SSD instead of HDD - this is strongly recommended as SSDs are way faster, more repliable and lighter. More info on SSDs:

>> http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001396.htm

>> http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404258,00.asp

You need HDD with the very same size as the current one or bigger (small will not work) - e.g. if your current HDD (or SSD) is with 500 GB capacity, your new HDD/SDD must also be 500 GB or with bigger capacity. 

How to replace the faulty HDD with new HDD or new SSD: please, find info and instruction in your computer's manual or watch YouTube videos examples for your HP model. 

Service and maintenence guide - page 46 (38) >>> http://www.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02160120.pdf

If you do not want to do this on your own, please bring the computer (or ship it) to HP Authorized Service Center where the technicians will do this for you. If you are not sure where such a center is located, check these or contact HP for assistance in finding the nearest one for you:

>> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00372730

>> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/store-finder/find.do?bs=SR4&type=authorized

Last part - once you replace the faulty component - you will need to reinstall back your operating system - Windows or another. So,

3.1 ) IF your computer originally came with Windows preinstalled by HP (a.k.a. OEM Windows), then you need to use HP recovery media - DVDs or USB pen drive you have previously created   or   recovery media purchased from HP. Some general info >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00006110

If there is no recovery media at HP, you can try to contact these 3rd parties

http://www.best2serve.com/page/rcd_landing   OR   http://www.computersurgeons.com/

 to see if they can offer you such recovery media

3.2) IF your computer did not originally come with Windows preinstalled but you later installed operating system on your own, you need to use the OS / Windows installation media and install Windows on your own.

Please, let me know how it goes and do post back if you need assistance. Looking forward to your feeback/reply.

Happy holidays

[IT_WinSec]

Here are some instructions with options to access the data stored on the HDD - no guarantee it will work:

You will need :

- either 1 empty/blank USB thumb drive   OR  1 empty/blank DVD disk

- Linux based operating system - free to download - e.g. Ubuntu or Linux Mint

You can directly download Ubuntu Desktop from Ubuntu's web site:

Download the x64 ISO > https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

Once ready, you need to write the ISO to make a bootable media (e.g. bootable DVD or USB drive). Here is how:

How to create bootable ISO on USB device >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

or

How to write ISO to DVD >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/burn-a-dvd-on-windows

When ready with the USB drive or with the DVD:

* Ensure Secure Boot is disabled  (if applicable for your model)

* Ensure Legacy mode is enabled (if applicable for your model)

* Save the UEFI/BIOS changes.

(if applicable for your model) Details>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03653226

Eventually, please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Ubuntu USB thumdrive or the Ubuntu DVD prepared previously

Power on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, keep hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu which may look similar to this one

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the thumb drive as boot option.

Follow the on-screen instructions to run Ubuntu (not install it but try it).

Ubuntu should load. You can try to see if it will be able to mount your existing HDD. If possible, you may be able to browse your files and copy what is necessary to a online Cloud storage service or to another device.

Hope this helps.