A SMART Test Failed on the Drive

[TangoK]

Computer won't start load Windows usually. During Diagnostic, I received the following message:

ERROR CODE: BIOHD - 7

Error : A SMART test failed on the Drive

Testing: st3750528as (9up2y6fc)

Does this mean my hard disk is failing or is it a software problem?  Will doing a disk recovery help?

[old_geekster · Accepted solution]

TangoK, welcome to the forum.

This error message means that your hard drive is failing.  If you get it to boot, you should make a backup of your personal data.  You should replace the drive with one as large or larger for the System Recovery media to work.

For future reference, when requesting help you should always include the make/model (i.e. p6-xxxx) of the computer and/or monitor. This information is necessary for us to review the specifications of them.  We would be able to furnish you with guides to help you Recover the system after the drive is replaced.

Please click the "Thumbs up + button" if I have helped you and click "Accept as Solution" if your problem is solved.

[TangoK]

Old-geekster, I want to thank you for taking the time to answer my questions (since I don't know how long I have before my hard drive dies).  I've already recovery disks and a backup of personal files.

I'm running a Pavilion Elite e9200z with a 750gb 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive and a AMD Phenom X4  810 quad-core (2.6GHZ) Processor.  about four years old, if that helps any.

Any suggestions?  Or is it time to buy a new computer.

[old_geekster]

You are very welcome!  Thank you for the additional information.

Replacing the hard drive will cost you around $50.  Here is a drive that has a lot of reviews and 4 eggs.  Here is a guide to help you Recover the system after the drive is replaced.

Now, for your question -- is it time to buy a new computer?  This is your call.  However, I can tell you without any hesitation your computer, next to say one of HP's latest gaming computers, is a dinosaur.  Buy one of the computers in my link and add a SSD and you will feel like you are driving a Farrari.  As you will see in my signature below, I have an HP Phoenix 810-135qe with a Samsung EVO 840 SSD.  It is very fast and quiet.

[TangoK]

Thank You for the info, I'll check out the links.  I know i'm driving a dinosaur, I'm on dialup too . . .and that's like driving a dinosaur with four flat tires.

[old_geekster]

Believe me, I am not demeaning your computer.  It is good for the technology that is in it.  The truth is, technology is leaping forward so fast that nobody can actually keep up with it.  You will go broke trying to do it.

I can certainly remember my days on dialup.  I wouldn't even download 3 MB of data if it wasn't absolutely necessary.  I now have DSL with 50 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload.  With my SSD, fast processor and fast Internet, my computer is beyond anything I could have imagined even a year ago.

[tortus99]

Old_geekster,

I've got a similar problem with my h8-1217c with Windows 7.  I bought it two years ago (refurbished) and it worked great until I moved back to the USA from an overseas military assignment.  It freezes so often, I cannot really use it anymore.  I ran a diagnostics on boot-up and was told I have a S.M.A.R.T. error 303.  I tried to back up data to MyBook, but it frooze-up about 20% of the way.  I've unplugged it while trying figure out what to do.  Is replacing a hard drive by a qualified computer repair firm a good idea?  I'm not a techie and have never tried anything too complex.  The computer has lots of pictures that I would like to save, if possible.  Would a computer repair facility have the ability to back-up data, replace the hard drive, and reload HP factory settings (at least Windows 7)?

[old_geekster]

@tortus99 , welcome to the forum.

Thank you for your service to our country!!

If you are not comfortable changing a hard drive, it would definitely be wise to take it to a certified computer shop.  However, it is not rocket science.

Here is the "Adding / Replacing hardware" section for the computer.  It has a guide on how to replace most of the components in the computer.  There are videos that will help you, also.

Your situation is why we continually push the idea of making a backup of your personal data.  If you don't have a disk to replace it, back it up.  I have two external hard drives and a thumb drive for backup.  If it is an item that is special to me, I have it on all three of the drives.

For future reference, I suggest starting your own thread.  Many times your post may not be answered on an existing thread.