my hp laptop drive won't let me format or anything else

[wizzie600]

I think my hp laptop is locked up it won't let my do any thing  like find my C: drive ,and format it or anything else I ran all the test and everythiong passedpc diagonise test. I weven when and got a new drive and it won't let me format that drive either. I teried to installwindows 10 pro and it stop and told me i need drivers which i don't have (WINLOAD.EFI)   The drive was locked 

[Alden4]

Hi @wizzie600,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like you're encountering a few different issues with your HP Laptop PC 15. Here are some steps you can try to resolve the issue.

Check BIOS Settings

• Access BIOS: Restart your laptop and press F10 (or the appropriate key for your model) to enter the BIOS settings.
• Check for Drive Detection: Ensure that the new drive is recognized by the BIOS. If the drive isn't showing up, there might be a hardware issue with the new drive or the laptop's storage controller.
• Secure Boot and TPM Settings: Make sure that Secure Boot is disabled and TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is disabled as well, as these can sometimes block installations.
• SATA Mode: Check that the SATA controller is set to AHCI mode (instead of RAID) for compatibility with most operating systems.

Reformat the Drive using Diskpart (via Windows Recovery Environment)

• Boot to Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):
  • Insert a bootable USB drive with Windows installation media and boot from it.
  • Once the Windows setup screen appears, press Shift + F10 to open the command prompt.
• Use Diskpart:
  • In the command prompt, type the following:

diskpart
list disk
select disk X (replace X with the number of the drive you want to format)
clean
create partition primary
format fs=ntfs quick
assign letter=C
exit

• This should clean and format the drive, creating a new partition.

Install Windows 10 Again

• Use Windows 10 Installation Media: If you're not able to install Windows directly due to missing drivers (like WINLOAD.EFI), try downloading the latest drivers for your system from HP's support page on a different PC and loading them during the installation when prompted for missing drivers.
• Perform a Fresh Install: During the Windows setup, select the newly formatted drive for installation.

[Alden4]

Check for Drive Lock or Encryption

• BitLocker Encryption: If your laptop has BitLocker enabled, it may be locking the drive, preventing changes. You will need the recovery key to unlock it.
• Password-Protected Drive: Some drives, especially if they're used with a security feature, may require unlocking or password entry before you can format them.

Try a Different USB Port or Drive

• If you're using a USB drive for installation, try different ports (preferably USB 2.0 if available) to rule out a potential issue with the USB port or media.
• If the issue persists even with a new drive, it could indicate a deeper hardware or firmware issue.

If none of the above works, there may be a more serious hardware fault with the motherboard or storage controller that’s preventing the new drive from functioning properly.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support 

[wizzie600]

I tried some of the thngs you said and they didn't work. Thispc has been locked by bitlocker I have tried to format the drive to get a fresh start and got nothing. I purchased a new drive and got nothing . I cannot format that drive to ntf. I can take a windows 8.1 pro and i can get tothe product key and that as faras i get. I cannot even get to the comd pronpt ( but sometime i can) but not often. I tried to unlock the drive and got nothing even tried to fix the bcd and mbr got nothing . I don't have the bitlocker key either i when to microsoft totry and get it but they don'thave it they say. I really thank you so much for your idea on how to fix this Laptop .I tried to gethp support but they don't have a way to connect to any body. I The pc is telling me how to fix winload.efi and bcd and nothing works. But again i thank you so much for the help but some of the stuff i don't know how to do  Thank again

[Alden4]

Hi @wizzie600,

Thank you for your response, 

It sounds like you've been through a lot of troubleshooting, but let's try some advanced steps to address the issues you’re facing with your locked drive and BitLocker, as well as with installing a fresh copy of Windows. Here’s a more comprehensive approach.

Bootable USB for Advanced Troubleshooting

Create a bootable USB with a third-party recovery or partition management tool:

1. Download Hiren’s BootCD PE or Rufus.
2. Use another computer to create the bootable USB:
   • Install Rufus and load Hiren's BootCD or a Linux distribution ISO.
   • Boot the affected laptop using this USB.
3. Access the drive using these tools to check for encryption, delete partitions, or format.

Reset BIOS/UEFI Settings

1. Access BIOS:
   • Restart the laptop and press F10 repeatedly during boot.
2. Reset to Defaults:
   • Find an option to reset the BIOS/UEFI to default settings.
3. Disable Secure Boot:
   • In the BIOS, turn off Secure Boot.
   • Enable Legacy Boot if possible.
4. TPM Settings:
   • Disable TPM to bypass any encryption-related restrictions.

Clear BitLocker Encryption

Since you don’t have the BitLocker recovery key:

Attempt to Decrypt Using Command Prompt:

• Boot into Windows Recovery (via a Windows installation USB).
• Open the command prompt with Shift + F10.
• Run:

manage-bde -status
manage-bde -unlock C: -RecoveryPassword <recovery key>
manage-bde -off C:
 

• If you don’t have the recovery key, this step won’t work, and you’ll need to completely replace the drive or bypass the encryption.

Use a New Drive (Recommended):

• Physically install a brand-new drive.
• Ensure the drive is unencrypted (BitLocker will not function without the recovery key).

[Alden4]

Recreate the Boot Configuration

If you occasionally reach the command prompt, try fixing the bootloader:

1. Boot using the Windows installation USB.
2. Open the command prompt with Shift + F10.
3. Run the following commands to repair the Boot Configuration Data (BCD):If bootrec /fixboot fails, use:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

If bootrec /fixboot fails, use:

bcdboot C:\Windows
 

Low-Level Format

If the drive is still not formatting:

1. Boot with the Hiren’s BootCD USB.
2. Use the included partition tools (like GParted or MiniTool Partition Wizard).
3. Perform a low-level format or wipe all partitions.

Install Windows on a New Drive

1. Create Installation Media:
   • Use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to make a Windows 10/11 USB.
2. Install Windows:
   • Ensure the new drive is set to GPT format (for UEFI systems).
   • During installation, delete all existing partitions and let Windows create new ones.

Update Firmware

There could be an issue with the firmware or the motherboard:

1. Check for BIOS Updates:
   • On another PC, visit HP’s support website.
   • Download the latest BIOS update for your specific laptop model.
   • Follow HP’s instructions to install it via USB.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support 

[wizzie600]

I got a new drive . I need to format the drive andit won't let me do it . I am thinking i may need to get that bitloader key or i got something wrong with my mother board i ran all the test  and everything passed. I just don't know i am going to try and put the new drive in and see if i can format it . I also tried diskpart but it won't let me see C;\: drive when i type list disk it is telling me disk ). but it doesn't show how much space is on it .

[Alden4]

Hi @wizzie600,

Thank you for your response, 

Given that you've already run diagnostics and passed the tests, here's a set of further steps you can try.

Check if the Drive is Physically Detected by BIOS/UEFI

• Enter BIOS/UEFI:
  • Restart the laptop and press F10 repeatedly to access BIOS settings.
  • Check if the drive is listed under the Storage or Boot Order section. If it's not showing up, the drive may not be physically connected or there might be a hardware issue.
  • If it's detected but still not working, you might want to try reseating the drive or testing it on another machine.

Ensure the Drive is Not Encrypted with BitLocker

Since you mentioned BitLocker and being unable to format, it's possible the drive is encrypted. Follow these steps to clear BitLocker encryption if it's enabled:

• Use Command Prompt to Check BitLocker:
  • Boot into Windows Recovery Environment using a bootable USB (Windows installation media).
  • Press Shift + F10 to open the Command Prompt.
  • Run the following command to check BitLocker status:

manage-bde -status C:

• If BitLocker is enabled, you'll need the BitLocker recovery key to decrypt the drive.
• If you don’t have the recovery key, consider attempting to wipe the drive (instructions below).

Use Diskpart for Drive Cleanup

If you cannot see your C: drive using Diskpart, this could indicate an issue with the drive’s partition table or it could still be encrypted:

• Open Diskpart:
  • Boot using a Windows installation USB and go to the Command Prompt.
  • Run the following commands:

diskpart
list disk

• If your disk shows up, select it:

select disk X
 

• Try cleaning the drive (this will erase all data on the drive):

clean

• You can then attempt to reformat the drive using:

create partition primary
format fs=ntfs quick

Perform a Low-Level Format Using GParted

• Create a Bootable USB:
  • Download Hiren’s BootCD or use GParted Live and create a bootable USB using Rufus.
• Boot from USB:
  • Boot the laptop from the USB stick and select GParted or MiniTool Partition Wizard.
• Low-Level Format:
  • Use GParted to delete all existing partitions on the drive and perform a low-level format (wipe the drive).
  • This will remove any residual data, including encryption, and allow you to start fresh.

[Alden4]

Recreate the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

If you're having boot-related issues, you might need to repair your Boot Configuration:

• Boot from a Windows installation USB and press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
• Run these commands:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

• If bootrec /fixboot fails, you can try:

bcdboot C:\Windows
 

Install Windows on a New Drive

If the drive is completely inaccessible, consider installing Windows on the new drive:

• Create Windows Installation Media:
  • Use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB.
• Install Windows:
  • Boot from the USB and during installation, delete all existing partitions on the new drive and let Windows create new ones (ensure the disk is set to GPT if you are using UEFI).

Check BIOS for Updates

Sometimes firmware issues can prevent the drive from being recognized or formatted properly:

• Visit HP’s support website and search for the latest BIOS version for your laptop model.
• Download and install the BIOS update (make sure your laptop is plugged into power during the process).

By following these steps, you should be able to isolate the issue further. If the new drive is recognized and you can format it, the old drive might be failing, or encryption could be blocking access.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support

[wizzie600]

I really want to thank you for all your info and trying to fix  this piece of junk. I am going to give up i tried everything in the book and it is not working . So i have a 16 oz hammer that will put mit to rest Again i want to thank you so much for the help  you have a nice day never again will i buy a Hp