Getting a "Hard Disk Error", is the computer Dead?

[zzmarkjohnson23]

When I turn on computer I get... "Hard Disk Error".

I then hit F2 to do... "System Diagnosis".

I then hit "Hard Disk Check"

I get "No Boot Disk has been detected, or the Disk has Failed".

Version is... 1.7.0.0 Bios.

When I do a "Memory Check"... I get PASSED.

Any feedback would be appreciated.   Computer has been running for 2 years, but I bought it at a garage sale!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

It's not dead per se, but you will need to install a new drive and reinstall the operating system if you want to fix the notebook.

[zzmarkjohnson23]

Sounds good.   I will look into that.    I may just replace this dinosaur.   A new drive would cost how much approximately?   Thanks for you help!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome. 

Please provide the full model number or product number of your notebook, so I can look up the specs on it and offer some options. 

[zzmarkjohnson23]

Cool.

HP Pavilion 21 Touchsmart All-In-One PC.

Model:   21-h014

Product:  F3D33AA#ABA

Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

Here's what I would do to fix/upgrade the PC:

Replace the slow poke 500 GB mechanical hard drive with a 2.5" SATA solid state drive (SSD).

Amazon.com: Western Digital 500GB WD Blue SA510 SATA Internal Solid State Drive SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/...

You'll need an adapter to fit the smaller drive where the larger 3.5" drive is mounted now:

Amazon.com: ORICO 2.5 SSD SATA to 3.5 Hard Drive Adapter Internal Drive Bay Converter Mounting Brack...

The specs indicate the PC only comes with 4 GB of memory.

Two options for that:

Install a 2nd 4 GB memory chip in the available empty memory slot.

Timetec 4GB DDR3L / DDR3 1600MHz PC3L-12800 / PC3-12800 Non-ECC Unbuffered 1.35V / 1.5V CL11 2Rx8 Du...

Max out the memory with two of these.  You will have to remove the existing 4 GB memory chip:

Timetec 8GB DDR3L / DDR3 1600MHz (DDR3L-1600) PC3L-12800 / PC3-12800(PC3L-12800S) Non-ECC Unbuffered...

If you were running W10 on the PC when the hard drive crashed you can reinstall W10 for free by making a bootable USB installation flash drive with the Microsoft media creation tool from the link below:

Download Windows 10

Because the PC came with Windows 8 from HP, you will be asked to install the version of Windows 10 you were running on the PC at the time (W10 Home 64 bit).

Then you will be asked to enter a product key.

Select the 'I don't have a product key' option.

After W10 installs, you can install the drivers and available software from the support page.

HP Pavilion 21-h014 TouchSmart All-in-One Desktop PC (ENERGY STAR) Software and Driver Downloads | H...

Below is the link to the service guide:

Upgrading and Servicing Guide (EMEA with shipping label)

[zzmarkjohnson23]

EXCELLENT, thanks much!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.