New Windows Installation

[Shuklaspeak]

Hi I am trying to install a Windows-7 64 bit OS on a PC that was locked by the previous user. I have a USB flash drive with the OS.

In order to install the new OS, I pressed 'Esc' key and entered the boot menu and booted from the USB drive. The version of windows installed has no features to it. The network drivers are also missing. I intend to use 2 monitors, however, the screens are only replicated and not split as I would have thought. The resolution is also very bad. It doesn't give me the option of choosing the highest resolution.

On top of this, when I removed the USB, the windows-7, that I thought was installed on the hard-drive, seemed to be deleted. And i had to re-do the entire installation again. I suspect that the hard-disk is faulty and hence ran the HP diagnostics and received- 'S.M.A.R.T Test - Failed Error Code- 303' . 

I am at my wits ends now trying to figure out what has happened- (a) OS not installed properly on hard-drive and drivers are missing , or (b) hard-disk is faulty and if I should get a new hard-drive (SSD?) for this PC. I am quite new to all of this and will really appreciate help from you guys!

Thanks in Advance!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The error code you received indicates the hard drive needs to be replaced.

That is the most likely reason for your dilemma.

You can install the drivers you need for your PC at the link below.

If you want to give reinstalling W7 another go before replacing the drive, here are the links to the graphics and networking drivers you need.   Copy them to a usb flash drive, plug the drive into a USB port on your PC and install the drivers that way.

Graphics:

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp55501-56000/sp55728.exe

Ethernet (wired network):

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp55501-56000/sp55679.exe

Wifi:

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp54001-54500/sp54360.exe

Here is the link to the support page for your PC.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-pavilion-p7-1200-desktop-pc-series/5187022/model...

[Shuklaspeak]

Thank you Paul for the quick help.

I am currently trying win-7 installation one more time before getting a new hard-drive. The reason I am suspect about the hard-drive being faulty is because it was able to load the OS of the previous user. In the absence of any phsyical damage, do hard-drives break down ? Is there any diagnostic check that I can run that could detect if there is a superficial fault causing this error ? (for e.g. incorrect partitioning while installing win-7 by me previously ?)

Best,

Ashish

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Ashish.

You have run the test already and that code is a result.

99% of the time you get any failure code, the hard drive is on its way out.

There are no other tests that I know of.  Perhaps if you can get the PC running again with the current hard drive, you can run checkdisk in Windows and let it completely scan the drive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=541&v=Es0VivQ_xQI

Even if you manage to get W7 to work this time and the drivers installed, don't be surprised if the PC won't boot up in a couple of weeks.

Hard drives fail because they have moving parts, and are subject to heat.

There is an old saying...it is not a matter of if a hard drive will fail, it is a matter of when.

If you need to replace the drive, you may want to opt for a better performing, normally more reliable solid state drive (SSD).

They have no moving parts to quit on you.

You will need an adapter so the 2.5" drive can fit in the 3.5" drive bay.