Notebook Won't Boot

[Schlitty]

I purchased a refurbished notebook 4 months ago.  The notebook now does not boot into Windows.  Upon powering on the notebook, it shows "Preparing Automatic Repair" and then goes to a blue screen, sometimes with an error message, other times it is partially blue with some black glitches at the bottom.  It reboots and repeats the procedure a few times until completely freezing.  Each time the blue screen shows a different error message.  Some of the messages I have received are:

SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

MEMORY_MANAGEMENT

BAD_POOL_CALLER

BAD_POOL_HEADER

I have run the HP Hardware Diagnostics and all have returned no errors on every test.

I downloaded Windows 10 to an external USB and attempted to boot from the USB with the same results and errors.

I have tried to return to an earlier version of the BIOS and that did not change anything.

I cannot get to SAFE MODE or the Windows diagnostic mode.

[CF4]

Hi

I expect you have already tried.....

1st Please try a Hard Reset
This is valid for most notebooks, and some desktops.
Press and Hold the PWR off button for 4 seconds to force a PWR off.
Unplug from the wall.
IF you see a battery compartment door, then your computer has a removable battery.

IF NOT then you do not have a removable battery.

Remove any removable battery.
Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds to complete the reset.

(Re-insert any battery you removed).

#############

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02693833

Turn off the notebook.
Plug the notebook into a power source using the power adapter.
With the notebook off, press and hold the Windows logo key and the B key at the same time (WinKey +B).

NB: On some notebook models, it might be necessary to press and hold the Windows logo key and the V key (WinKey +V).

While pressing those keys, press and hold the Power button on the computer for 2 to 3 seconds, and then release the Power button but continue to hold the Windows logo key and the B or V key until the HP BIOS update screen displays or you hear a beeping sound (usually 8 beeps).

###############

This First part only works when a valid Recovery Partition is enabled.
If it displays an error message then move onto the Second Part:-
OR if you have data you wish to try and save using the XCOPY command.
Then create your own Repair/Recovery/Rebuild/Re-install media or buy a set from HP.

Turn off the computer.
Disconnect all connected devices and cables, Media Drives, USB drives, printers, & faxes.
Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware.
Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power cord.

Turn on the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key, about once every second,
until the Choose an option screen is displayed, and then continue.

On the Choose an Option screen, click Troubleshoot, and work your way through the screens.

Second Part:-
This may require another PC. Find and Download your .iso from…
(You will need a NON_OEM key for W7);
W8.x and W10 should activate automagically from their embedded licence key.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

For when it’s a NON MS OS ( iOS / Linux ) creating the install media.
www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

A 3rd party site is (Courtesy of @CherylG)...
http://getintopc.com/softwares/operating-systems/windows-7-home-premium-free-download-iso-32-bit-64-...

Expand/Extract/Burn the iso Image onto a DVD/USB as needed.
Microsoft’s Creator Tool will make the required DVD or USB.

Even though it has NO actual HP software/drivers included, you may be able to
XCOPY the C:\Users\* area onto a ‘large’ USB stick, via the Command Prompt.

You’ll need to try various drive letters; D:..-..Z: until it’s matched - could be G; mine’s S:

C:\>XCOPY C:\Users\* S:\ /e /i /h (then files like those 3 listed below get copied over)

C:\Users\desktop.ini
C:\Users\All Users\agent.1509128044.bdinstall.bin
C:\Users\All Users\HP Deskjet 2540 series\Help\flash\zoom.swf

Then you can try System Recovery Options / Advanced Options shown in the screenshots.

NB:- W7 Try running a Startup Repair more than once for a full fix.
NB: - W10 Begin with the Automatic Repair, then Startup Settings etc.

From either the C:\ or the X:\ prompt try the following

cd boot
bootrec /FixMBR
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /RebuildBCD

If the above FAILS then please try:-
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/repair-master-boot-record-mbr-windows
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-7-from-usb
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb

[Schlitty]

Hard Reset has been tried and did not work.

I also tried the BIOS update/recovery and that did not work.

I had a small breakthrough when I downloaded both the 64-bit and 32-bit versions of the Windows 10 iso onto a USB drive.  When I change the boot settings to <Disable> Secure Boot and <Enable> Legacy Support, then change the boot order to read the USB drive first (see picture), I am able to get into the Advanced Boot Options by pressing F8 and can then boot into Safe Mode and get into the Windows Recovery Menu.

However, I have not had success with any of the other options provided to rebuild the boot.  Below are screen shots with the results from the commands you provided.  Sorry, I couldn't rotate the pics.

I also tried all the other options in the Windows Recovery menu without success.  

Do you have any other suggestions?  Am I able to format the C: drive and reinstall Windows 10?  Or will that not affect the problems with booting?

Is it worth noting in the first DOS window that I shared that it says "Not enough memory resources are available to process this command."?

[CF4]

Hi

W10 would normally want Secure Boot and a GPT style of formatting.

So if Legacy Boot is having the most effect then stick with that.

Your pictures have yet to be approved.

[Schlitty]

Hello

It appears that the pictures have been approved and loaded.  Do they help you diagnose the problem?

Thanks for all your help so far.

[CF4]

Hi

Same answer really.

Use the Microsoft Creator Tool to Create a DVD/USB and install from that onto the HDD formatting as you go along.

Secure Boot would be my choice and GPT rather than MBR.

[Schlitty]

Unfortunately, no luck in reinstalling W10 using a USB and the Microsoft Creator Tool.

I have tried using Secure Boot with GPT as well as Legacy Boot, but each time as the installation completes and wants to restart the computer, it again fails to restart and I get the dreaded blue screen with an error message.

Finally, I just booted to Safe Mode through the USB, entered the Command Prompt option under Advanced Settings and formatted the C: drive.  Unfortunately, reloading W10 after doing so still did not work and led me to the same dead end as before...blue screen with error messages.

[CF4]

Hi

For some reason you have had boot code on C: 😧 and E: both as FAT32 and NTFS and MBR and .....

So your Notebook does boot, the Boot Manager is last in the list, I would move it up.

I would re-order the Boot Manager options...

AND there is nothing really wrong with the installation because one of the screen shots added/changed the existing C:\Windows\windows.old

Therefore I would try and boot C: and not 😧 or E:

[Schlitty]

So...

I decided to take the laptop into a tech service center for help.  The tech checked the laptop for a corrupted OS, but could not recover Windows.  Other dagnostics revealed a bad motherboard.  The tech called HP, but was told that the laptop had a 90 day warranty and was outside that warranty period.  He tried to negotiate a discounted cost since the computer was only 136 days out from when I purchased it, but he was told no.  The cost for a new motherboard was over $300, with another $80 for installation, I am looking at close to a $400 repair for a laptop that I paid $500 for.  Needless to say, I declined the repair and just picked up my broken laptop.

Since HP does not show any phone numbers on their website, I have not been able to find a way to contact a customer service representative, so I have to rely on the tech service center I used.  Also, when I try to put in my model and serial number into the waranty support, I only get an error and HP cannot find anything.  When I started this thread, my laptop was 122 days since the date of the purchase, but I expect that HP will have no sympathy and discount a motherboard replacement, so trying to contact them is an exercise in futility.

Two lessons learned:

1) Never, ever, never buy a refurbished computer.

2) HP customer service is horrible.  First, how come you can't get a hold of anyone?  Second, when a tech finally does contact someone, they have absolutely no common sense when considering a product just outside of the warranty period.

I will now be going to purchase a NEW laptop and trying to sell this overpriced paperweight for parts.

[Cheron-Z]

@Schlitty

I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP. They will likely request information from you in order to look up your case details or product serial number. Please look for a private message from an identified HP contact. Additionally, keep in mind not to publicly post personal information (serial numbers and case details).

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