Urgent Help! Pavilion Mini, can't boot, can't enter startup menu, can't reset

[Kutusov]

Hi,

Was trying to start my PC today and it is stuck on the logo screen. Nothings changed, everything was working fine yesterday and nothing new was added that I know of.

I disconnected every periferic that I could save for monitor and keyboard.

I've went trhough the tutorials but nothing helps.

Starting the PC and pressing escaping, f8 etc only brings me to a screen with the sum up of hardware and the message "Press the ESC key for Startup Menu". Nothing happens when I do that. I'm using a wireless keyboard, not sure if that might be an issue or not.

Any help would be extremely apreciated as I have important stuff there I need to acess.

[CF4 · Accepted solution]

Hi

A usb keyboard would be preferable.

Please 1st try a Hard Reset

Press and Hold the PWR off button for 4 seconds to force a PWR off.

Unplug from the wall.

If you see a battery compartment door, your computer has a removable battery.

Remove any removable battery.

This is valid for most notebooks;

Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds to complete the reset.

Re-insert any battery you removed.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02693833

Turn off the notebook.
Plug the notebook into a power source using the power adapter.
With the notebook off, press and hold the Windows logo key and the B key at the same time (WinKey +B).

NB: On some notebook models, it might be necessary to press and hold the Windows logo key and the V key (WinKey +V).

While pressing those keys, press and hold the Power button on the computer for 2 to 3 seconds, and then release the Power button but continue to hold the Windows logo key and the B or V key until the HP BIOS update screen displays or you hear a beeping sound (usually 8 beeps).

OR

This First part only works when a valid Recovery Partition is enabled.
If it displays an error message then move onto the Second Part:-
OR if you have data you wish to try and save using the XCOPY command.
Then create your own Repair/Recovery/Rebuild/Re-install media or buy a set from HP.

Turn off the computer.
Disconnect all connected devices and cables, Media Drives, USB drives, printers, & faxes.
Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware.
Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power cord.

Turn on the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key, about once every second,
until the Choose an option screen is displayed, and then continue.

On the Choose an Option screen, click Troubleshoot, and work your way through the screens.

Second Part:-
This may require another PC. Find and Download your .iso from…
(You will need a NON_OEM key for W7);
W8.x and W10 should activate automagically from their embedded licence key.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

For when it’s a NON MS OS ( iOS / Linux ) creating the install media.
www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

A 3rd party site is (Please be careful)...
https://mirror.corenoc.de/digitalrivercontent.net/

Expand/Extract/Burn the iso Image onto a DVD/USB as needed.
Microsoft’s Creator Tool will make the required DVD or USB.

Even though it has NO actual HP software/drivers included, you may be able to
XCOPY the C:\Users\* area onto a ‘large’ USB stick, via the Command Prompt.

You’ll need to try various drive letters; D:..-..Z: until it’s matched - could be G; mine’s S:

C:\>XCOPY C:\Users\* S:\ /e /i /h (then files like those 3 listed below get copied over)

C:\Users\desktop.ini
C:\Users\All Users\agent.1509128044.bdinstall.bin
C:\Users\All Users\HP Deskjet 2540 series\Help\flash\zoom.swf

Then you can try System Recovery Options / Advanced Options shown in the screenshots.

NB:- W7 Try running a Startup Repair more than once for a full fix.
NB: - W10 Begin with the Automatic Repair, then Startup Settings etc.

From either the C:\ or the X:\ prompt try the following

cd boot
bootrec /FixMBR
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /RebuildBCD

If the above FAILS then please try:-
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/repair-master-boot-record-mbr-windows
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-7-from-usb
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb

[Kutusov]

Hi, thanks for the help. It's a mini desktop, it has no battery save for the CMOS. 

I can't access any options on your second solution, that's the problem. It shows me the processor type, speed, memory etc and it asks me to press ESC for Startup options. Pressing ESC or anything else doesn't work. It does work to get into this screen, so the keyboard is fine. I've tryed with two different ones already.  

[CF4]

Hi

The battery lines were crossed thru.

AT POWER ON YOU PRESS ESCAPE REPEATEDLY.  You dont wait to be invited.

So do you have a Recovery DVD or USB to do the Second Part?

If not buy one or make one.

[Kutusov]

Thanks for the advise but it doesn't work, I do get into the menu but have no options and nothing works.

I did figure out the MB was toasted so I went out and got a new PC. 

Thank you very much for your help though!

[CF4]

Prego.

Now is the time to make a RECOVERY MEDIA in case of future problems.

ISO images of various Microsoft OS's are available.

They can be be downloaded (sometimes you need a licence key other than the HP OEM key)
and 'burnt'/expanded to a DVD/USB. They WONT contain appropriate HP software, like drivers etc.
But may enable a repair to be started.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

For when it’s a NON MS OS (iOS/Linux/Android) to create install media.
www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO
and a HOW2 is here...
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb

[Kutusov]

Thank you!

I got another HP, a 580-104. I know it's not related to the OP but it comes with a SSD of "only" 250GB and a second bay. Do you know if these take a 2.5' HDD or a full size one? I haven't dealt with these stuff in a long while. 

[CF4]

Hi

As I'm spending your money, then I have to say I dont know,

[Kutusov]

I can confirm, it's a 3.5´´