Hard Drive Short DST Check:Failed

[Alb23]

Product Name: hp15-r181nr

My HP 15 laptop was running slow and I couldn't get past the Welcome Screen.  I ran a diagnostics test and received the Hard Drive Short DST Check : Failed message.  My laptop is no longer under warranty.  What are my options?

[mdklassen · Accepted solution]

The disk-drive either has failed, or it is showing that it is about to fail.

Given that it is out-of-warranty, you need to purchase a replacement disk-drive, and then reinstall Windows.

I looked at: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-15-Notebook-PC-series/7234951/model/7450458

There is no option to place an order with HP to get a "System Recovery Set".

This is either one USB memory-stick, or several DVD disks, that you can use to reinstall Windows.

However, if your computer was running Windows 10, you have a "digital entitlement" to reinstall Windows 10.

On another computer, see: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

You can download Windows 10, and install it on the new disk-drive.

If asked to enter a 25-character product-key, click "I do not have one", to activate your entitlement.

Although Windows does not boot from the old disk-drive, it may still "barely-work" -- just long-enough to attach it as a "slave" disk-drive, and to copy all your files/bookmarks/music/pictures from it.