HP ENVY Laptop (Optane Drive issue)

[whitemi37]

I'm stuck in a boot loop, I'm being told that my computer is dead dead. The Optane drive is bad and that if Best Buy is to replace parts it would come close to what it would cost of a new computer. I've had this computer since Jan 2021 and feel it definitely should have lasted much longer than a year and a half.  Do anyone have any pointers on possibly speaking with someone at HP to get some help with their shotty equipment? 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

If you are open to fixing the notebook yourself, all you need to do is to replace the Intel SSD with a regular 500 GB one that will cost much less than whatever you are being told.

Before removing the failed Intel SSD, you need to go into the BIOS and disable the Intel Optane memory if there is a BIOS setting to do that.

See the next to the last section at the link below for how to do that.

HP PCs - Installing and Using Intel Optane | HP® Customer Support

Suggested replacement NVMe SSD's:

Samsung 980:

Amazon.com: SAMSUNG 980 SSD 500GB PCle 3.0x4, NVMe M.2 2280, Internal Solid State Drive, Storage for...

Western Digital Blue SN570:

Amazon.com: Western Digital 500GB WD Blue SN570 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD - Gen3 x4 PCIe 8...

Below is the link to the service manual where you can find the NVMe SSD removal and replacement procedure.

Maintenance and Service Guide HP ENVY 17 Laptop PCHP ENVY 17m Laptop PC

Service videos:

Replace the Base Enclosure | HP ENVY 17-cg0000 Laptop PC | HP - YouTube

Replace the Battery | HP ENVY 17-cg0000 Laptop PC | HP - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-diMJDZ11EQ 

After you replace the drive, you can use the HP cloud recovery tool with another PC running W7 64 bit or newer to create a bootable USB recovery drive that will reinstall W10, the drivers and the software that originally came with the notebook.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility.  You will need a 32 GB USB flash drive for this.

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Customer Support

Total cost if you do the work yourself...Less than $60.

I would have no idea how to contact HP about this.

If your notebook is out of warranty, you will be charged for phone support.

[whitemi37]

Thank you! I am going to look into all of your suggestions. I've never fixed my own laptop before but I guess if it's dead there's no sense in not learning how to esp if it's under $100. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The hardest part will be getting the bottom cover off.

Hopefully, that will not be very difficult, and you will feel good that you were able to fix your PC for very little money and have it running possibly better than when you bought it.

You just need the right tools and patience.

The service manual will tell you what size screwdrivers you need and whatnot.

If you don't have pry tools to release the plastic bottom cover as shown in the video, you can use old credit cards or guitar picks as decent substitutes.

I know I would be trying to fix the notebook, being that it is virtually brand new.