Conflicting Startup Probles

[GPag]

Laptop is an Envy 17-s041nr, Product number: X0S42UA#ABA Serial number: (Removed).  The BIOS is an Insyde BIOS, version is F. 85.  There is no BIOS update beyond that version.

 I am having boot issues.  When I get into the boot diagnostics, I get an error saying the BIOS doesn't have the right data and I need to boot from a recovery disk.  If I let the laptop sit powered on with that error, it will eventually boot.

Anyone know where I can go to download the boot file so I can reinstall it?

Any ideas on why it would give a BIOS error and then boot anyway?

Thanks

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @GPag 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for posting your query! We're here to help you get back up and running.

It sounds like your HP Envy 17-s041nr is experiencing a BIOS-related issue that intermittently affects the boot process. 

Here are some steps and insights to help you address the problem:

1. Download and Reinstall the BIOS

Even though you mentioned there are no updates beyond version F.85, you can still reinstall the same version to ensure the BIOS is functioning correctly.

Visit the HP Support page for your model to download the BIOS file. Look for the "BIOS" section under drivers and firmware.

2. Create a Recovery Disk

If the BIOS file is available, you can create a bootable USB drive to reinstall the BIOS:

Download the BIOS file and follow the instructions provided on the HP Support page.

Use a tool like HP BIOS Update Utility or Rufus to create the bootable USB.

3. Perform a Hard Reset

Turn off the laptop and unplug it from the power source.

Disconnect all external devices and remove the battery (if removable).

Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds to drain residual power.

Reconnect the battery and power it on.

4. Check for Corrupted Boot Data

The error message about the BIOS not having the right data might indicate corrupted boot data. Running a disk check or repairing the boot sector could help:

Boot from a Windows recovery USB or installation media.

Select Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Run the following commands:

bootrec /fixmbr

bootrec /fixboot

bootrec /scanos

bootrec /rebuildbcd

5. Inspect Hardware

Intermittent boot issues can sometimes be caused by failing hardware, such as the hard drive or RAM. Run a hardware diagnostic test:

Restart the laptop and press F2 repeatedly to access the HP Hardware Diagnostics tool.

Perform a full system test to check for hardware failures.

6. Why It Boots Eventually

The fact that the laptop eventually boots suggests the issue might be related to a timing or initialization problem in the BIOS. Reinstalling the BIOS or resetting it to default settings could resolve this.

If this solution hits the spot, please come back and click "Accepted Solution" to help others find the answer. And if you'd like to say thanks, select "Yes" on the bottom left of the public post, as that would make our day! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[GPag]

I did try resetting the BIOS to default settings.  That didn't help.  I also ran hardware tests which found no problem.  When I boot the system and get into the BIOS settings, and UEFI diagnostics it is very, slow.  When I finally get it to boot, it runs fine, no response lag time.

Once I got it to boot I backed it up and also created installation media. I'll try booting from that and repairing it.

The HP Support page says there are no files/drivers for my system.  The system is:

Laptop: HP ENVY Notebook-17-s041nr

Product: X0S42UA

BIOS: Version: Insyde F.85

Any idea where I can grab this BIOS file?

-

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @GPag 

Let me check again. Could you please share your laptop's serial number with us via private message? 

Need help finding your product number? We've got you covered! Check out this handy guide: 

https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/ish_2039298-1862169-16 

To access your private messages, simply click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile name. 

Now, let's dive into the issue! Could you please elaborate on what's happening with your device? The more details you provide, the better we'll understand the problem and the faster we can resolve it! 

We're looking forward to helping you get back up and running! 

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

Note: Do not share any of your personal information in public, such as serial number, phone number, email ID, etc.

[GPag]

Hi Hawks_Eye, I will send the serial number after I finish writing this.

The laptop powers on but stays on a black screen.  

Here are different things I've done trying to get it to boot.:

Updated BIOS from F.85 to F.96.  

The caps lock light used to flash a code of 5 fast and four short and also a code of 4 fast and three short, but is no longer the case since I updated the BIOS.

Tapping ESC repeatedly after power on brings up an "ESC...pause startup" message then nothing else ; stayed on black screen.  I powered off after 10 minutes.

Tapping F2 repeatedly after power on brings up a "Startup Check" message then nothing else ; stayed on black screen.  I powered off after 5 minutes.

Tapping F11 repeatedly after power on brings   up a "System Recovery" message, then the HP logo comes up with a "Please Wait" message.   I powered off after 10  minutes of no further activity.

Tapping F10 repeatedly after power on brings up does bring up the BIOS setup options but very, very slowly.  The setup options menu does not simply appear as expected.  Instead, it is drawn very slowly line by line.

Holding the Windows + B keys during boot does nothing.

i was able to get into the UEFI diagnostic menu a few times but I don't  remember how and there weren't many tool options. Like the BIOS setup screen, the diagnostic menu came up very slowly.  I tried doing a quick memory test but aborted it after 20 minutes of sitting at 1% completed.   

After playing around with powering up, hitting a startup key, powering down, powering up, hitting a different key, etc., I could eventually get the laptop to boot.  Once booted it works fine.  The HP Diagnostics Window, says UEFI is not installed but I downloaded the software and installed it

When I got the laptop to boot I created a bootable USB drive.  Booting using the USB drive works fine. 

So, where I'm at now is that the laptop will boot using the USB drive but will not boot on its own.

[Hawks_Eye]

@GPag 

Thanks for all the details.

Commendable diagnosis, superb troubleshooting and splendid description of the issue before posting. Hats off to you on that score. 😊 

It seems like your HP ENVY Notebook - 17-s041nr (Touch) (ENERGY STAR) is facing a complex boot issue, possibly related to hardware or firmware. 

Since it boots fine from a USB drive but struggles to boot on its own, the problem might be with the internal storage, boot configuration, or corrupted system files. 

Let’s address this step by step:

1. Check Boot Order in BIOS

• Access the BIOS by pressing F10 during startup.
• Navigate to the Boot Options or Boot Order menu.
• Ensure the internal hard drive (HDD/SSD) is set as the first boot device.
• Save changes and exit the BIOS.

2. Run Full Diagnostics

• Since the UEFI diagnostics menu loads slowly, try running it again and let it complete:
  • Restart the laptop and press F2 repeatedly during startup to access diagnostics.
  • Run a full memory and hard drive test, even if it takes time.
• If the diagnostics detect hardware issues, you may need to replace the faulty component.

3. Repair Boot Configuration

• Boot from the USB drive and select Repair your computer instead of installing Windows.
• Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
• Run the following commands to repair the boot configuration:
  bootrec /fixmbr
  bootrec /fixboot
  bootrec /scanos
  bootrec /rebuildbcd
• Restart the laptop and check if it boots normally.

4. Reinstall UEFI Diagnostics

• If the UEFI diagnostics are not installed properly, download and reinstall them from the HP Support page.
• Follow the instructions to create a bootable diagnostics tool and install it on your laptop.

5. Update or Reinstall Windows

• If the issue persists, consider reinstalling Windows:
  • Boot from the USB drive and back up your data.
  • Perform a clean installation of Windows, ensuring the internal drive is formatted correctly.

6. Check for Hardware Issues

• If the BIOS and diagnostics menus load very slowly, it could indicate a failing hard drive, RAM, or motherboard.
• Consider reseating the RAM and storage drive to ensure proper connections.
• If possible, test the laptop with a different hard drive or SSD.

Let me know how these steps work for you or if you need further guidance! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[GPag]

I will try these things but when I say the diagnostics, system repair, UETP runs slow, I mean really slow.  I started a memory test and let it sit for over an hour at 1%. Same with loading UETP, let it load for over an hour without making any progress loading.   Before I let things run overnight, I’m wondering no if a memory module could be loose (16Gb memory on two 8Gb sticks.   It’s a lot quicker to open up the case and check connections before trying to run days long tests.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @GPag 

You're absolutely right—a loose or improperly seated memory module can indeed cause slow performance during diagnostics or other tasks. 

It’s a smart idea to check the physical hardware first before running lengthy tests. 

Here’s a quick guide to check and reseat your memory modules:

Steps to Check and Reseat Memory Modules

Power Down and Unplug:

• Turn off your computer completely and disconnect it from the power source. If it's a laptop, remove the battery if possible.

Ground Yourself:

• Before opening the case, ground yourself by touching a metal surface to discharge any static electricity.

Access the Memory Modules:

• Open your computer's case or back panel. Refer to your HP Victus 16's manual if you're unsure of the exact location or how to remove the panel.

Inspect the Memory Modules:

• Locate the RAM slots and carefully check if both sticks are securely seated. If you see any tilt or uneven placement, that could indicate a loose module.
• Also, ensure there’s no dust or debris around the RAM slots.

Reseat the Modules:

• Gently unclip and remove each module by pulling it straight out.
• Reinsert the RAM sticks one at a time, aligning the notch on the module with the slot. Press down firmly on both ends until the clips lock into place.

Reassemble and Test:

• Reattach the panel, plug the computer back in, and power it on.
• Retry running a diagnostic or observing performance to see if the issue improves.

Additional Considerations

• While inside, you could also check that other components, like the CPU heatsink or cables, are properly connected.
• If reseating the RAM doesn’t resolve the issue, running the diagnostics overnight might still help pinpoint hardware failures.

Let me know how the hardware check goes or if you'd like more guidance! You're on the right track to troubleshooting this efficiently. 😊

Thanks,

Hawks_Eye

[GPag]

Hi Hawks_Eye,

Still Having problems.  Here is another long note about what I have tried since the last response. 

i tried sending this several times as a response to the private message, but it keeps failing because " invalid HTML was found".  Finally figured out that it didn't like the DISKPART commands.  That's why you will see some quotes around those.  It was the only way I could get this to be accepted.

I took the laptop apart and removed and reseated the RAM sticks ; checked all connections ;
 removed the CMOS battery, verified it was good (3.2v) and put it back in ; re-assembled the laptop ; booted into recovery environment and ran a full memory test.   No memory problems were found.
i then rebooted and got an expected  "CMOS values invalid defaults loaded" message.  It stayed on black screen (BS) with no further messages/response for 5-7 minutes. I aborted startup.
I powered back on, hitting F2 and got “F2….Startup check” message  ; a few minutes of BS then a steady “-“  in the left top corner for a minute then back to more BS.   Caps Lock light was on steady,  the UEFI screen started to load after 8 or 9 more minutes of BS.  Screen was HP logo, blue background a % done meter and a slow, stuttering rotating arrow.  The progress meter sat at 1% for probably 20 minute or more before I aborted the startup.  I don't think I've ever gotten beyond1% loading using this route.
Restarted tapping F11 ;  got an “F11…System Recovery”  message and after more minutes of BS got the HP logo & “Please Wait” ; 20 min later got UEFI menu.

Note: A while ago I replaced the failing, original HDD with a new SSD that, I think, was larger.  Perhaps this is part of the problem?

I selected Restart to change firmware settings and eventually got the BIOS settings; looked at the Boot Options and saw that UEFI Boot was enabled but Legacy Support was disabled.  Legacy boot is where the SSD is listed, not under UEFI boot order.  so I enabled Legacy support and changed the Legacy boot order to boot from a USB external drive first and then the SSD if there was no USB drive.  So, the boot options were reset to:

CD-ROM boot enabled
Internet network adapter boot disabled
Network boot protocol <IPv4 (Legacy)>
Legacy support enabled
Secure boot disabled
UEFI Boot Order
  >OS boot manager
  Internal CD/DVD ROM drive
   USB diskette on Key/USB hard disk
   USB CD/DVD ROM drive
  !  Network Adapter 

Legacy Boot order

   USB diskette on Key/USB hard disk

   > Notebook HD

   Internet CD/DVD ROM drive

   USB CD/DVD ROM drive

   ! Network Adapter 

i rebooted and still had the same problems. 

I then rebooted, got into UEFI and ran a command prompt.  I don't really remember but I believe I booted this time with using the USB Recovery Drive.  The command prompt pointed to X: \windows \sysrem32> 

DISKPART showed:

"lis vol

     Volume 0 ; Letter D ; Type DVD/ROM ; Size 0

     Volume 1 ; Letter C ; Fs : NTFS ; Type Partition ; Size 1859GB ; Status Healthy

     Volume 2; no letter ; Label Recovery ; Fs NTFS ; Type Partition ; Size 3597mb ; Status      Healthy

     Volume 3 ; no letter; Label Recovery ; Fs NTFS ; Type Partition ; Size 100mb ; Status Healthy ; Info Hidden"

I then got out of DISKPART and ran the following commands:

 "  bootrec /fixmbr    operation completed successfully 

   bootrec /fixboot    access is denied

   bootrec /scanos    Total identified windows installations 0 ; operation completed successfully  

   bootrec /rebuildbcd       Total identified windows installations 0 ; operation completed successfully "

At first I was confused that the drive letter was X and not C,  then realized (after some online searching) that was because I was in the Window System Recovery Environment.  and that was probably why I got the “Total identified windows installations 0” messages.  Also realized that the commands probably would have been on the recovery environment and not the system disk.  I then tried a "bcdboot c:\windows" command and that gave “Boot files successfully created”.

I don't really remember everything I did but I played around more with trying to recreate boot files.  Nothing fixed the boot problems.  I am suspicious that the boot files are not where the system expects them to be but I am not sure how to fix that.  Honestly, when I boot using the Windows Recovery Drive, I am not sure where changes I make get applied.

Question:  since the Windows Recovery drive was created on this computer, would the boot record issues have been propagated to the Recovery Drive?  *When booting using the Recovery Drive, the system comes up fine, windows opens and everything appears normal.*

How can I verify that the boot files are in the right location and are correct?

I really want to avoid a reinstall because I do not want to have to reinstall apps.  Also, since the system will boot on it's own, if given enough time, I figure that this has to be an issue that can be solved.

One other thing, wen the system boots (no recovery drive), the Caps Lck light comes on steady for a while, then starts flashing a 5 fast/4slow pattern a bunch of times and then lights steady again.

Thanks for your help.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @GPag 

It sounds like you've been incredibly thorough in troubleshooting this issue—your persistence is commendable! 

Based on your detailed description, here are some steps to verify and potentially resolve the boot file location and correctness:

Verify Boot Files Location:

• Boot into the Windows Recovery Environment using your USB Recovery Drive.
• Open the Command Prompt and use the following commands:
  diskpart
  list disk
  select disk <disk number>
  list partition
• Identify the partition where Windows is installed (usually the largest NTFS partition).
• Exit DiskPart and use the following command to check the boot files:
  dir <drive letter>:\boot
• Ensure the bootmgr file is present in the root directory of the system partition.

Rebuild Boot Configuration Data (BCD):

• In the Command Prompt, run:
  bootrec /rebuildbcd
• If no installations are found, manually add the Windows installation path:
  bcdedit /set {default} path \Windows\System32\winload.exe

Check Boot Order:

• Ensure the BIOS/UEFI boot order prioritizes the correct drive (SSD) under Legacy Boot if that's where your OS resides.
• Disable Secure Boot temporarily if it conflicts with Legacy Boot.

Verify Recovery Drive Integrity:

• The Recovery Drive should not propagate boot record issues unless it was created after the problem began.
• Test the Recovery Drive on another computer to confirm its functionality.

Caps Lock Flashing Pattern:

• The flashing pattern (5 fast/4 slow) indicates a hardware diagnostic error. 
  Refer to HP’s Caps Lock Error Codes for specific troubleshooting steps.

Advanced Repair:

• If the issue persists, consider using the Startup Repair tool from the Recovery Environment.
• Alternatively, use the sfc /scannow command to check for corrupted system files.

Your suspicion about the SSD replacement being part of the issue is valid. Larger SSDs can sometimes cause alignment or partitioning conflicts. 
If none of these steps resolve the problem, you might consider cloning the SSD to ensure proper partition alignment.

Let me know how these steps work for you or if you need further guidance! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye