Hard Disk Error 301 on HP Envy 15j109tx

[AKJain]

Our HP Envy 15j109tx is having Hard Disk Error 301.

The error message suggests recovering the data first before running any diagnostics on it.

Can someone pls suggest how we ourselves do this like downloading some Disk Recovery Software and then recover the data first. Later after testing of the Hard Disk, if it is determined that we would have to buy a new Hard Disk, then we can go with that. As we have the HP Recovery Disk that came for this Laptop so can load OS and MS Office to make the Laptop functional.

Would appreciate a quick response since we are out of laptop to do our daily work activities.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

It is probably too late to recover data if you can't get into Windows.

The more you run the drive, the less the chance there will be to recover data.

The only suggestion I can offer would be to remove the hard drive, purchase a SATA to USB cable.

pibox India - Usb 3.0 Usb C Otg To 2.5" Sata Iii Hard Drive Adapter 0.5 M Long Cable W/Uasp-Sata To ...

Plug one end of the cable into the failed hard drive, and the other end into a working PC's USB port and see if you can read/copy any data from the drive to the PC.

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

c03943414.pdf (hp.com)

[AKJain]

Paul,

I already started removing the Hard Disk as per the instructions given in Maintenance and Service Guide of HP Envy 15j109tx.

But got stuck at the following step: Release the zero insertion force (ZIF) connector to which the hard drive connector cable is attached, and then disconnect the hard drive connector cable from the system board.

That part/area seems to be very delicate. I couldn't venture to touch that area. Thinking of taking it to nearby PC Hardware Shop, if they can help do it safely.

Thanks,
Anant

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Anant:

I agree with you 100% as far as trifling with that delicate connector ribbon.

Is that black outline around the drive a rubber gasket that holds the drive in place?

I have a similar model notebook (HP 350 G1) and the instructions for mine indicated pretty much the same procedure to first remove the hard drive cable from the motherboard's ZIF connector.

Mine had a blue gasket around the drive instead of a black one.

c04301514.pdf (hp.com)

I was definitely not comfortable with doing that, but I was able to carefully lift the hard drive up first, then remove it, and then remove the cable from the drive while it was still attached to the ZIF connector because there was enough play in the cable for me to do that.

Then I installed a 2.5" solid state drive instead of a mechanical hard drive and easily put it back together.

[AKJain]

Paul,

I have been able to remove the Hard Disk. Its spec are

Seagate Laptop SSHD 1000GB
Serial ATA Disc Drive
5V 0.7A

I plan to insert into another HP laptop HP Notebook 14-AM519TU and see if it can be read there. 

But I am not sure if the Hard Disk would fit into my 2nd laptop. Hoping it would if all are of same size.

Now for the removal of Hard Disk in 2nd Laptop, Maintenance and Service Guide, mentions to remove the Bottom Cover as follows:

- Position the computer upside down with the front toward you.
- Remove the two rubber feet from rear of the bottom of the computer.

But the Rubber feet is not easily removeable and seems they might get broken or wouldn't fit back. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Anant

[AKJain]

Have been able to remove Rubber Feet. Now, stuck in removing the Bottom Cover. As per Instructions:

- Start prying near the optical drive bay and work around to the back and side to separate the bottom cover from the computer
- Remove the bottom cover.

But nothing is getting lose that I can make out that the bottom cover would come out?

Thanks,
Anant

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Anant:

I don't believe that what you want to do will work, because the drive may not fit but worse, it may not boot up in the different model notebook.

It would have to have an Intel 4th generation core processor or around that age to work and as far as how you can get the bottom cover off, that I do not know.

Usually, you have to use a pry tool to separate the bottom cover if you are sure that you have removed all of the screws.

An old credit card or guitar pick may also work as a pry tool.

[AKJain]

Paul,

I have come across the following options, once drive has been removed.  I am trying one by one:
1. Place it into another PC and see if it can be accessed to get the data off.

>> For this, you think putting the Hard Disk which is on my HP Envy 15j109tx to another HP Notebook 14-AM519TU might not work?

2. Get a USB hard drive enclosure. These external devices let a drive to get connected into them and read/extract the data on another PC via USB. Not sure how to determine a compatible Hard Drive Enclosure for the one installed in my HP Envy 15j109tx. That's why I shared the Specs after taking it out?

Thanks,

Anant

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Anant:

Your 14-AM519TU with an Intel 6th gen core processor may be close enough in hardware for the drive to work.

But I have to ask...what makes you think the drive will boot up in a different PC if it won't boot up in yours?

I don't think it will.

You don't need a hard drive enclosure per se.

All you need is a SATA to USB cable like the one I posted yesterday and that will be the equivalent of a 2.5" hard drive enclosure and should cost less.

Then the PC you plug the USB end of the cable into hopefully will read the drive like it would a USB flash drive

[AKJain]

Paul,

But for what you had suggested, would have to
- disconnect the hard drive connector cable from the hard drive, and
- remove the hard drive bracket from the hard drive.
And we don't have spare hard drive bracket and hard drive connector cable.

So we are trying to have minimum disruption to current setup in Hard Disk but still able to connect the Hard Disk to another laptop.

Thanks,
Anant