Win7 won't boot - Pavilion dv7-6059eo-Has the hard drive failed? Can I contact HP? [ Edited ]

[halendia]

Hello,

I've previously experienced some minor issues with my HP notebook, like crashes and freezes and error booting. Now, yesterday I came home from a vacation and discovered that my PC wasn't "feeling well" when I used it. Sound was lagging and delayed, processes and programs froze frequently, including the Task manager. I decided to simply reboot and went for a shower, half an hour later when I came back to my PC it was still trying to log out, unsuccessfully. I used the on/off button to physically shut down the computer, and when I tried to boot it back up, I was allowed to choose whether to boot the PC normally or in "safemode", as expected. I booted it normally, and it froze on the "Windows is starting" screen, the animation wouldn't even start.

I waited several minutes for Windows to boot and eventually the windows cursor appeared on the screen, however it was obviously in the wrong resolution (a lot bigger (and wider than what's proportional) and blurrier than normal), then I recieved a blue background (it wasn't plain blue though, it was like a wallpaper) and the command prompt thingy came up stating exactly this:

Microsoft <R> Windows Script Host Version 5.8

Copyright <C> Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

REM Model:

REM Caption: Hitachi HTS725050A9A364 ATA Device

REM DeviceID: \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE0

REM SCSIBus: 0

REM SCSIPort: 0

REM Partitions: 4

REM PNPDeviceID: IDE\DISKHITACHI_HTS725050A9A364____________________PC40CH0A\5&3299 DDFF&0&0.0.0

REM

REM

REM [RESULT]

REM couldn't perform the screening because couldn't detect 2 HDDs on this system

C:\system.sav\util\MBRINST.EXE /INI C:\system .sav\util\MBR.INI /U /Q

ECHO MBRInst returned %ErrorLevel% >> C:\system.sav\logs\MBRINST.LOG

I let the PC on for another half an hour, and when nothing happened, except from the command prompt closing itself, I rebooted it the same way as last time. This time when starting up I got to choose between "Start Windows normally" and "Start Boot-reparation (Recommended)". I chose the recommended option and waited (because I used to get these before the crash too). But eventually the same black screen and the unproportional-too-big-cursor appeared, then it went blue and then the command prompt came up, stating the same message I wrote above.

This is, basically, as far as I've gotten with the PC after yesterday evening and today. I've also noticed vague, repetative sounds coming from inside the PC, it sounds like a very very tiny frog is trapped inside it. I've tried the F8 menu on boot and chosen to start in "safemode" but there's no difference.

I'd be utterly grateful for help, because it was a ~$1400 spent and I've only had it for a couple of months...

Thank you for reading

Mickis

[DavidPK]

Hi,

Shutdown the notebook.  Tap away at f10 as you start the notebook to enter the bios menu.  Under the Advanced or Diagnostic tab you should find the facility to run tests on both the Hard Drive and Memory.  Post back with the details of any error messages.

Regards,

DP-K

[halendia]

Primary Hard Disk Self Test starts up but gets nowhere, then there's a blue pop-up saying "Hard Disk 1 Quick (303)" and "[Ok]"

Memory test works.

[DavidPK · Accepted solution]

Hi,

The 303 error would indicate a failing Hard Drive - this is also consistent with the freezing issues you describe leading up to this event.

Your best option isto contact HP and arrange to have the Hard Drive replaced under warranty.

If you live in the US, contact HP Here.

If you are in another part of the world, start Here.

Regards,

DP-K

[halendia]

Alright, thank you very much. 

[DavidPK]

Hi,

You're welcome

If you have any files on the Hard Drive that you need to access, one possible way is detailed in the link below.  The Ubuntu operating system CD you create can run from the CD alone ( ie it doesn't have to install on the Hard Drive ) and I've often found it to be successful in retrieving data even from a failing Hard Drive.  When you've created the CD, follow the instructions and see if you can back up your existing files. 

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windo...

All the best,

DP-K

[halendia]

Geez... I don't understand this product/serial number sticker. It has a lot of numbers on it, and it's not specified which is serial number or product ID, none of them contains as many numbers as the examples on the form I have to submit for the warranty.

Also: Thanks about the Ubuntu idea, but I don't store valuable files in my PCs

[DavidPK]

Hi,

I believe your Product No. is  LW030EA

Your Serial No. will be personal to you, but an easy way of locating these numbers is as follows.

Shutdown the notebook.  Tap away at f10 as you start the notebook to enter the bios menu.  Towards the bottom of the first page of the bios menu, you should find the necessary information listed.

Regards,

DP-K

[lunaotik]

hey dude im having the same problem; so i just wanted to ask you how did you they fix it???? did they change the hdd only??? or what other problems caused it

[halendia]

Hi lunaotik!

The issue was indeed a broken harddrive. Now what I did was to email the support with this exact thread, we had a little exchange and I eventually recieved a new HDD, Windows disks and drivers etc. sent to my door. I'm very satisfied with the support and I really recommend doing what I did. I hope it solves your problem!

Hale