HP Pavilion Desktop Auto Repair Loop/Memory Module Failure

[cjf7911x]

My computer has been stuck in the automatic repair loop.  So it will not boot up to the Windows 10 OS.  I have attempted the auto diagnostic and repair but it quickly says it cannot repair, so it reboots.  I have also attempted to perform a new install using the option to keep files.  That also quickly doesn't work.  

I then used the Hardware Diagnostics UEFI Tool, by hitting ESC key when booting up, and ran a bunch of the system tests.  I received the following failure code. RUTTU3-97NBAW-GXGJ3G-40PM03.  This apparently indicates that one of the Memory Modules is bad.  I removed this module, and attempted to reboot. PC still wouldn't boot to Windows 10.  I re-ran the UEFI memory test, and it did not find a problem this time (since I removed the bad memory module). 

I am not sure what else to try now.  

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Sometimes when a memory chip goes bad it corrupts the operating system to the point where your only option is to reinstall the OS.

I see that the failure code indicated a Memory Module 2 Failure.

If you don't have any important files you need to recover, you can use the HP cloud recovery tool to create a bootable USB recovery drive that will reinstall W10, the drivers and the software that originally came with the PC.

You will need another PC running W7 64 bit or newer and a 32 GB USB flash drive to create the recovery media with.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility.

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Customer Support

Since you have to use the tool on another PC, you will need to enter your PC's product number in the tool's search window to proceed further.

Your PC's product number is 3LA58AA#ABA

If you have files you would like to recover, then you can do this:

Make a bootable W10 USB installation flash drive with the media creation tool from the link below.

Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

Boot from the USB installer and when you get to the part where it asks, 'Where do you want to install Windows,' install Windows over the existing Windows partition and it will create a Windows.old folder.

After Windows has installed, you can explore the Windows.old folder, find your old user profile and copy and paste the folders within your user profile to a portable hard drive for safekeeping if you want to use the HP cloud recovery tool.

If you prefer to retain the clean installation of Windows, you can copy the folders from our old user profile to the new one, then install the drivers and available software from your PC's support page.

HP Pavilion 595-p0084 Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Customer Support

[cjf7911x]

I actually did just create a Windows 10 USB, so I will give that a try.  Couple other questions. 

1. Is it True that I shouldn't have to worry about the Windows 10 Product Key, because it's embedded in the BIOS?

2. The HP Hardware Diagnostic UEFI.  The version my BIOS used for diagnostics testing is way outdated.  Where can I download UEFI and how do I put it on a USB drive so I can run it from the USB?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, it is true that you don't need to know the product key to reinstall W10.

Ever since Windows 8 came out in 2012, Microsoft has required all PC manufacturers of PC's that come with Windows to encrypt the product key in the PC's BIOS.

You can make a bootable 4 in 1 diagnostics key from the link below.

Click on the 'Diagnose Other Potential Issues' section.

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics | HP® Support