Can't open the laptop due to Hard Disk Error

[Juni4]

Hi! I can't open my HP laptop (which worked perfectly fine only a couple of hours ago), and I can't figure out why. When I press the power button, all I get is an error message saying: "Hard Disk Error", "Please run the Hard Disk Test in System Diagnostics", "Hard Disk 1 (3F1)".

I've tried to run the test, but when I do I get a new message saying: "No hard drive installed", even though this is clearly not the case.

I've also tried to contact HP's service support, but they're closed for the holidays. Therefore, I'd be extremely grateful if someone here in the community could help me out with this.

Thanks! 

[WAWood]

@Juni4 

This issue is often due to a failing drive. So, let's check that first, because if it is failing, it would need to be replaced and there is no point then in doing anything else until we confirm that.

If your PC is new enough to support UEFI, you can use these steps to test the hard drive: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00439024

If not, to check the drive you have to follow these steps:
1) Press Esc key repeatedly, several times a second, while rebooting the laptop. Do NOT hold the key down, just press it over and over.
2) Eventually, you will see an HP Startup Menu
3) Press the Function key for testing the hard drive (usually F2) and let it run.
If the drive checks out OK, then report that and I can provide you options for reinstalling Windows on your PC.

[Juni4]

Hi WAWood, 

Thank you for your rapid  and informative reply!

I managed to open the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI. The laptop passed the memory test. However, neither the Storage Test or the Hard Drive Test could be done (both quick and extensive). The same messages popped up once more: "No storage installed" when trying to run the Storage Test, and "No hard drive installed. Please check that the power and data cables are connected properly" for the Hard Drive Test.

Is there anything more I can do? 

Thanks again for all the help! 

[WAWood]

@Juni4 

Unfortunately, I can't find any HP specs for your specific model.  It has an SSD of some sort, but I don 't know which kind and what capacity.

Also unfortunately, the diagnostics can be inaccurate when it comes to SSDs, so although they indicate the drive has died, that is not a guarantee.

Regardless, the drive is not working, so it would need t be replaced.

Once you have the replacement drive, read the information below about HP Could Recovery to be used to restore your PC to working condition:

If your PC is a 2016 model or newer, you should see if you can make a bootable USB recovery drive using the HP cloud recovery tool on a working PC. The recovery drive can then be used to install Win10 and the HP drivers and utilities that originally came with your PC. Here is the link: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06162205

--------------------------------

If the HP Cloud Recovery is not available or does not work, you may have to look into ordering HP Recovery Media -- which is a set of DVDs and a CD, or USB stick, that will erase the hard drive (removing all data, settings, and applications, reinstall the original OS, drivers, and some HP Utilities. You have to order these from HP; they can not be downloaded.

You can look online for Recovery Media starting with the linked paged: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

Once there, input your Product name or number. On your Software and Drivers Download page, select your Operating System and and Version. Click "Update"

If HP Recovery Media is available for your machine, down near the bottom of the page, you will see an entry for Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB. Click the + symbol to expand that entry and click on Order Media for details.

Or, if you prefer, you can do the same by contacting HP Customer Support:
https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp?openCLC=true