Battery replaced then system randomly shut down; Can't get past Startup Repair screen

[LosersOnStandby]

Just had the worst experience with HP Customer Service Chat for this issue and it only created more confusion, so I'm hoping I can find assistance here.

Product: HP ProBook 4540s Notebook

OS: Windows 7

I purchased a replacement battery for my laptop, which I installed today. Everything booted up just fine and it looked like the battery didn't need to be calibrated, so I thought I was home free. Suddenly, the laptop shut down without warning (not plugged into an AC adapter at the time). I plugged the laptop in and turned it back on, but was met with a command prompt screen after my user login. The command prompt screen then became the Startup Repair window, which ran and then informed me it could not repair automatically. 

However, the startup repair showed that there was an identified issue, noting the "RootCauseFound" was "Boot sector for system disk partition is corrupt". The repair action showed "Boot Sector Repair Result: Failed   Error Code = 0x490".

All other areas came up fine. 

I can't get past this StartUp Repair to use my laptop.

[ub6424]

Hello @LosersOnStandby 

Sorry to hear that you are having problems ... I would like to help you.

To prevent losing all data, I would remove the current hard drive and put in a new one. Reinstall the Windows operating system and later use a SATA-to-USB adapter to access your old data.

Do you need more help ?

Kind regards

[LosersOnStandby]

I don’t just have another hard drive lying around…

And how would I reinstall the OS?

[ub6424 · Accepted solution]

Hello @LosersOnStandby 

(1) Buy better SSD drive

SAMSUNG 870 EVO SATA SSD 500GB 2.5” Internal Solid State Hard Drive

(2) Buy SATA-to-USB Adapter

ORICO USB 3.0 to SATA III 2.5" External Hard Drive Enclosure for 2.5 Inch 7mm-9.5mm SATA HDD/SSD

(3) Remove "old" mechanical hard drive

Download --->>> HP ProBook Maintenance and Service Guide

Page 62 Chapter 4 Removal and replacement procedures

Page 63 Component replacement procedures

Page 64 Chapter 4 Removal and replacement procedures

(4) Install new Samsung SDD drive

(5) Install <Windows operating system>

You need (another Windows computer) to prepare <USB flash drive> to install windows

Use the official Microsoft method:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

 After installation is done, download and install HP drivers

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

(6) Please report your results

Kind regards

[LosersOnStandby]

I’m a little confused because according to the “HP Notebook Hard Drives & Solid State Drives Care & Maintenance Measures”, I shouldn’t need to replace the HDD and need to look elsewhere for the issue.

I performed these diagnostic tests (screenshots attached), and everything passes.

In light of that, are you still suggesting the same troubleshooting steps?Maintenance Measures PDFFull Error LogExtensive Hard Disk Test Results

[ub6424]

Hello @LosersOnStandby 

Glad you did the testing. But ask yourself why the boot sector problem suddenly appeared? I would definitely switch to the SSD drive. But you are welcome to convince me otherwise...

If you use a bootable Windows setup <USB flash drive> you could try a repair. But the reason why I advised from the beginning to remove the drive (as it is) has to do with the risk of losing your data during the Windows "repair". And surely you don't want that?

[ Use it at your own risk ]

Use the official Microsoft method to create <USB flash drive>

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

Kind regards

[LosersOnStandby]

I appreciate you taking the time.

I'm not trying to be difficult,; I'm only trying to understand.

I can't just do what someone says without some kind of explanation, especially with tech because I'm also learning.

The laptop is definitely due for an upgrade as it is, but the issues felt so unrelated and on top of that, diagnostic tests were all passing, with exception to the startup repair details noting the corrupted boot sector.

It'll take me some time to get this done, so it may be a bit before I can mark this as an accepted solution.

Thank you, again.

[ub6424]

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@LosersOnStandby wrote:

I appreciate you taking the time.

I'm not trying to be difficult,; I'm only trying to understand.

I can't just do what someone says without some kind of explanation, especially with tech because I'm also learning.

The laptop is definitely due for an upgrade as it is, but the issues felt so unrelated and on top of that, diagnostic tests were all passing, with exception to the startup repair details noting the corrupted boot sector.

It'll take me some time to get this done, so it may be a bit before I can mark this as an accepted solution.

Thank you, again.

---

You're welcome !

Keep me updated

Good luck

[LosersOnStandby]

Update:

I ended up upgrading the hard drive to the suggested SSD, installed it myself and put windows 10 on it. I’ve kept the old HDD and may have a third party try to salvage what they can from it. Everything is running smoothly, and I’m lucky not to be too bothered with having a blank slate. The SSD has been a nice upgrade, as expected.

[ub6424]

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@LosersOnStandby wrote:

Update:

I ended up upgrading the hard drive to the suggested SSD, installed it myself and put windows 10 on it. I’ve kept the old HDD and may have a third party try to salvage what they can from it. Everything is running smoothly, and I’m lucky not to be too bothered with having a blank slate. The SSD has been a nice upgrade, as expected.

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Hello @LosersOnStandby 

Great to hear

Good luck and have fun