HD parameter has exceeded normal operating range

[PrinceAkai]

I have a HP Compaq 6000 with a Samsung HD running Windows XP.  For about a week now, when booting up, just after the HP splash screen, the following message comes up: NOTICE - HARD DRIVE SELF MONITORING SYSTEM has reported that a parameter has exceeded its normal operating range.  HP recommends that you back up your data regularly.  A parameter out of range may or may not indicate a potential Hard.    Press F1 to continue , F10 to enter setup.  If I press F1 the boot up continues normally and the computer works OK.  I checked the forum info and the only instance I found like this had a reply that said "Replace the hard drive - it is going to crash". 

I contacted HP Support hardware - the lady said to shut down and restart and press F12 - then highlight the Samsung HDD and press enter - the computer booted up with no problem and she said there was no problem with the HD - she sent me to the software people who spent an hour trying to find a virus, malware, etc bud none showed up.  We spent the next 3 hours trying to find some corrupted boot-up file (he was controlling the computer) and didn't find that either.  Now they want to re-install WindowsXP which he said would wipe the HD clean - not something I feel comfortable in doing.

Can anyone tell me from experience what generated the HD notice and what the problem really is?  Since the support guys tried everything, I don't think they know anything about problem or the solution.  I don't want to erase everything on the HD, even tho I do a full back-up every week.  HP is supposed to call back at noon CST today (24 Feb) to give me a "solution".  It would certainly be re-assuring to have some other opinions about the problem and the solution before I am at the mercy of the guys in India. 

Thanks for any wisdom you can offer . . .

joegwillie

[Sneha_01]

Hi @PrinceAkai,

Welcome to the HP support community.

The message you're encountering is related to S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology), which is a monitoring system included in computer hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs) that detects and reports on various indicators of drive reliability, with the intent of enabling the anticipation of hardware failures. When your HP Compaq 6000 displays the warning message about a parameter exceeding its normal operating range, it indicates that the S.M.A.R.T. system has detected an issue that could potentially lead to hard drive failure.

The fact that your computer boots up normally after pressing F1 and operates without apparent issues does not necessarily mean that the hard drive is in perfect health. S.M.A.R.T. warnings are preemptive signals designed to alert you before a drive fails completely, providing you an opportunity to back up data and replace the drive to prevent data loss.

The HP support's suggestion to press F12 and select the Samsung HDD leading to a normal boot without the error message does not address the underlying issue that triggered the S.M.A.R.T. warning. It's more of a temporary workaround than a solution.

Reinstalling Windows XP, as suggested by HP's software support team, might not resolve the issue if it's hardware-related, which is what the S.M.A.R.T. warning suggests. Reinstallation could be a suggested step if software corruption or bad sectors that are affecting the boot process were suspected, but it would not fix physical issues with the hard drive itself.

Given this situation, here are some steps and considerations:

Backup Your Data: You've mentioned performing regular backups, which is excellent. Ensure that you have a recent backup of all important data.

Hard Drive Diagnostic: Run a more thorough hard drive diagnostic tool. HP usually provides a hardware diagnostic utility that can be accessed by pressing F2 or another key during the boot process (refer to your user manual for the exact procedure). This can give you more insight into the health of your hard drive.

Consider Drive Replacement: If the diagnostic tool reports bad sectors or other issues that cannot be repaired, replacing the hard drive is the most reliable solution. Hard drives are mechanical devices that wear out over time, and a S.M.A.R.T. warning is a strong indicator that the drive's reliability is compromised.

Clone Your Drive: If you decide to replace the hard drive, consider cloning the old drive to the new one. Cloning software can make an exact copy of your existing drive, eliminating the need to reinstall the operating system and software from scratch.

Upgrade Options: Given that your system is running Windows XP, it's worth considering an upgrade to a more modern operating system. Support for Windows XP has ended, making it vulnerable to security risks. However, depending on your computer's specifications, this might also require upgrading your hardware.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Rachel571 

HP Support