Occasional 3F0 (boot device not found) error on HP Spectre x360

[nishe]

I recently purchased a HP Spectre x360 (2016 model; 512 GB SSD/16 GB RAM). Recently, after leaving the computer idle for a while (at least that was the state so far whenever this occured), Windows crashes with a BSOD error: CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED. When it restarts, it shows the Boot device not found (3F0) error. However, after I completely power off the computer and turn it on again, everything works normally.

Suspecting it to be a potential Issue with the Solid State Drive, I have run all the provided UEFI diagnostic tests pertaining to the hard drive (including an extensive test). However, all of them passed. Yet, I continue to see this crash happening from time to time.

Is this something others are experiencing? What are the possible reasons and/or recommended steps to take?

[The_Fossette]

Hi @nishe

Welcome to the HP Forums!

I appreciate you taking the time to share your concern and thank you for using this forum, it is a great place to find answers.

I reviewed your post and I understand that you are getting critical process dead error.

I’d love to help!

When experiencing error Critical_Process_Died error, you should know it is because when running operating system, the process which was needed to boot system ended accidentally for some reasons

SFC Scanner is one of the most cliché solutions for Windows-related problems, in this case, it may actually be helpful, because it repairs system files, and corrupted, or changed system files are exactly the cause of our problem. If you’re not sure how to run the SFC Scanner, do the following:

1. Right-click on the Start Menu button, and choose Command Prompt (Admin)
2. Enter the following line, and press enter: sfc/scannow
3. Wait for the process to finish (it will take a couple of minutes)
4. Restart your computer

See if the ‘critical process died’ error still causes BSODs, if not, you’re good to go, but if BSODs still appear, try the following solution.

Download the latest drivers:

Bad drivers, or drivers that wrongly use memory could also be the cause the ‘critical process died’ error in Windows 10. So, head to Device Manager, and make sure that absolutely all drivers are up to date, and compatible with Windows 10. You will also receive some more important driver updates, like graphics card or sound card drivers, through Windows Update.

All your drivers need to be updated, but doing it manually is very annoying, so I recommend you to download and install HP support assistant to do it automatically.

You can download and install HP support assistant from the below link.

http://hp.care/2ibChP0

Let me know how it goes and you have a good day ahead.

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help. If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue to get it resolved without hassles.

Take care!

Cheers!

[Brenda2017]

I have had the same problem as the original poster.  Back in December when I first got my Omen.  I called customer support.  I spoke to someone in India.  She took over my computer and did some things.  Unfortunately I did not take notes.  After she did what she did, I stopped having the problem.

I ran into problems in the last few weeks with the Windows 10 Creator edition and we had to reset my computer.  Well guess what?  I'm now getting the same problem, only this time nobody seems to know how to fix it, even with the notes from the person who originally helped me.  The computer passes all the tests including the extended hard drive tests.

Last time I talked to someone yesterday, we updated the BIOS.  I'm hoping that fixed it, but only time will tell.

I would like to know if the original poster is still having the problem and if not what was done to fix it.

[nishe]

It turned out to be an actual hardware issue with the SSD. Eventually after a few days, it completely died and the SSD had to be replaced.
I suggest making a backup of your data when you still have access.

[Brenda2017]

Thank you for the reply and thanks for the advice.  I do keep my computer backed up every day.  This computer has been running perfectly for months.  It was only after it was reset back to the factory settings that I started to have the problem again, which makes it seem more like a problem with the recovery.  I guess time will tell.

[maria_bc]

Hi Brenda2017. I am having the same issues now and I was wondering if you ended up having to replace your SSD? Or were you able to resolve your issue in a different manner?

[Brenda2017]

Yes, I did have to replace my SSD after months of headache going back and forth with support.  It was a terrible experience. In the end I insisted on having a tech come to my house to replace the SSD, because when they took my computer to their tech center, they did absolutely nothing and I didn't have my computer for a week!

[maria_bc]

Wow, what a drag! Thanks for the reply I appreciate getting the heads up on the situation before I go through anymore misery. Since you replaced SSD have you had any of the same issues?

[nishe]

OP here. Just two weeks ago, my SSD died again without any warning. It was working fine until the previous night; turned it on at work the next morning and boom, got that error again with all data lost once again.

[maria_bc]

Good grief! That leaves me wondering what I should do? Thanks for reply Nishe. What brand of SSD did you use?