Installing windows on new SSD after hardware (3F0) error

[Denz1]

Had hardware (3F0) error, so after trying everything, established I needed a new SSD
Bought new drive and fitted it. Took less than 30 minutes.
Ran the hard drive test, passed both quick and full tests.
SSD recognised in BIOS/settings.

What follows is 12 hours of sheer torture.
Used the windows creator to create a USB install of windows.
Tried every option known to man on over 30 forums/youtube videos... no joy, stuck in boot loads files then goes back to boot load screen again.
Tried every option possible (one at a time) in BIOS then attempted to install windows from USB... no joy
Read everything I could, many suggest updating the BIOS, checked the firmware version, it needs updating.
So I follow hp's instructions, create a USB update, plug in the USB to update the BIOS... nothing.
Three times, then changed all the settings (one at a time) in BIOS... nothing.

Then attempted the rufus method advised by windows creator/help forums, to burn an ISO to USB and install from that... nothing.
Again, went through all the various BIOS options one by one and retried... nothing.
Is there anyone out there, that has the remotest clue on what's stopping an install of an operating system on this machine please?

If I see another "solved" claim for a clean install with no operating system, telling me to "open cmd" I'll scream!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Your notebook should be supported by the HP cloud recovery tool.

See if making a bootable USB recovery drive using the cloud recovery tool allows you to reinstall W10.

Here is an info link for how to use that utility...

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool (Windows 10, 7) | HP® Customer Support

[Denz1]

Thanks for the link and info.

I have it preparing the USB drive on another computer, ready for trying in the laptop, it has found the build from the product number.
One thing that might be a problem?
The HDD that came with the laptop was completely dead and had to be replaced (with the new SSD)
The SSD is recognised by the laptop and passes all the hard drive tests.

The recovery tool says to remove all internal devices added before running it in the laptop.
I'm hoping it will add partitions for windows etc?
Will post back when it's completed.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Hopefully, it will work for you.

[Denz1]

Created the USB recovery, ran from boot option (F9)

It has done all the preparation and then given me the options to do a full factory reset.
I've selected this and it says it will run, restart, etc . It could take a few hours.

After 2 minutes, it returns to the preparation screen again and repeats.

It doesn't look as though it's going to work.
When trying to install windows I was stuck in the boot stage loop, similar to what the recovery is doing now :O(

[Denz1]

Hmmm I wonder?

When I've clicked all the options after preparations are complete, it warns me that the laptop will restart etc.
When I click to start, it restarts then goes through the same process again.

I wonder if it's rebooting from the USB all over again?

The instructions for this process say "Do not remove your USB drive while completing the recovery"

Should I remove the USB so it breaks the loop and doesn't keep rebooting from it?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Yes, you can try that.

If that doesn't work, see if this works...

There is only one other thing I can think of that you can try and that would be to watch this video and see if that helps...

Use of Diskpart to Format (Clean) or Wipe (Clean All) Partitions a Drive Before Windows Installation...

You would do this with the plain W10 installation media you made, not the cloud recovery tool media.

[Denz1]

I've removed the USB before the first restart and processes started and it appears to be loading, restarting, progressing, so fingers crossed...

[Paul_Tikkanen]

X2!

[Denz1]

It has gone through the whole process, reinstalled windows, all drivers and right up to the administrator window.

Then it restarted and then a blue box came up saying "boot drive failed" - I pressed ok and it stayed off.

I restarted and it looked as though it was starting the entire process again *faceplant*

Then it stated "Recovery is complete" click to shutdown or start.
I clicked to start and now it looks as though it is starting up as normal....