Black screen after ‘Preparing automatic repair’

[AnneZw]

When I try to start my laptop by pressing the power button, it first shows the hp logo on a black background for a while, then ‘Preparing automatic repair’ appears for a bit on the screen, before it goes black. The power button is still lit. I’ve tried removing the battery and adapter, holding the power button, connecting the adapter and pressing the button again. No difference. Please help.

[IT_WinSec]

Hello,

Welcome to the HP Support forum. Thank you for posting.

This is happening because Windows cannot start/boot .It may be caused due to simple Windows hung, hardware problem (e.g. your HDD) or it may be caused by faulty Windows Update, some other faulty update/driver, corrupted bootloader / Boot Configuration Data in Windows etc....

1. Perform some basic hardware checks to rule out hardware problem

- Please, shutdown the computer using the power button (pressed and hold for a few seconds until PC powers off)

- Power the computer back on.

As soon as you press the power-on button, immediately begin hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap) before any logo appears. This should open a HP Startup Menu

- Choose F2 to open System Diagnostics. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform System Test >> Quick test.

This will check major hardware componets for issue (do it just in case) . Here is more info >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JXUp43ahHA

If there are no system checks/no quick tests, perform HDD (hard disk drive) and RAM check (memory check).

Let me know the test results. If the tests pass without issues, continue. If not, please, let me know

2. Repeat steps 1-2 above but when HP Startup menu opens, please choose F11 for System Recovery options.

The computer should boot from it's recovery partition to open you various recovery options. Note, that F11 option will only work if the recovery partition is there (not deleted) and intact. From there, you have prenty of options to choose from. Every HP computer comes with recovery partition present to assist in tough moments.

Please, perform "System Restore" first in an attempt to fix the issue. Please, restore back to previous days (restore point) where the issue was not present. Here is more info:

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03327545#AbT5

>> https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4588-system-restore-windows-10-a.html

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes. Provide your feedback/reply.

[AnneZw]

Thank you for the reply.

The results of the quick test (step 1) state that my computer has failed the hard drive check. I still have warranty, so I think it says I am eligible to take advantage of the HP Automated Costumer Self-Repair program, which may allow me "to receive a hard drive replacement at no charge". However, does that mean th data saved on my computer is lost?? I know very little about computers but that would be very unfortunate... Also, I am currently not living in the country where I have bought the laptop, so that might cause issues for warranty service..?

FAILURE ID: GUSLW8-7PK8S5-MFGJMG-60VQ03

PRODUCT ID: G1Q11AV

Hard Drive Capacity: 500 GB

Hard Drive 1

[IT_WinSec · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your update. I am sorry to hear about your HDD.

The provided code confirms HDD issue and also tells me that your warranty is active until August 10, 2018 (or around that time).

Yes, please contact HP Support. I'd first contact the local support and then for the country where you initially purchased the computer from (if the local cannot repair your PC for free). Here is how to reach to HP:

Phone >> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html

and

Phone/chat >> https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp/product/HP-EliteBook-745-G2-Notebook-PC/6732430/model/673243...

tel. 1-800-334-5144

With regards to your data, most likely it is all lost. You should attempt to restore it from your back up (hopefully, you have some copies of your most important files stored on external place).

Here are some instructions with options to access the data stored on the HDD - since the HDD is dead no guarantee it will work:

You will need :

- either 1 empty/blank USB thumb drive   OR  1 empty/blank DVD disk

- Linux based operating system - free to download - e.g. Ubuntu or Linux Mint

You can directly download Ubuntu Desktop from Ubuntu's web site:

Download the x64 ISO > https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

Once ready, you need to write the ISO to make a bootable media (e.g. bootable DVD or USB drive). Here is how:

How to create bootable ISO on USB device >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

or

How to write ISO to DVD >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/burn-a-dvd-on-windows

When ready with the USB drive or with the DVD:

* Enter BIOS (Esc/F10)

* Ensure Secure Boot is disabled  (if applicable for your model)

* Ensure Legacy mode is enabled (if applicable for your model)

* Save the UEFI/BIOS changes.

(if applicable for your model) Details>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03653226

Eventually, please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Ubuntu USB thumdrive or the Ubuntu DVD prepared previously

Power on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, begin hitting the Esc button repeatedly (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the thumb drive as boot option.

Follow the on-screen instructions to run Ubuntu (not install it but try it).

Ubuntu should load. Open its file browser. You can try to see if it will be able to mount your existing HDD. If possible, you may be able to browse your files and copy what is necessary to a online Cloud storage service or to another device (e.g. another USB drive). If not, there is nothing you can do about it.

Hope this helps. Please, provide your reply/update/feedback and don't hesitate to post again

[AnneZw]

Unfortunately we did not succeed in accessing my data with Linux on USB, but thanks again for the help. My hard drive is being replaced by HP tomorrow.

[IT_WinSec]

You are welcome ! Good luck !

[WAHEED75]

QCWB335

[Karthick2]

Hi, @IT_WinSec

I have the same problem
Black screen after Preparing Automatic repair

[Damonk1]

Help I did everything including "Advanced options" 

[rick-s]

Hello,
Thank you for posting in this thread. Unfortunately, based on when the last response was made, I have closed this thread to help keep comments current and up to date. I recommend starting a new thread for your issue by clicking here: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/postpage

To be more helpful with your post, you may add key information if you wish:
1. Product Name and Number (please do not post Serial Number)
• Example: HP Pavilion DV2-1209AX or HP Deskjet 3000 Printer CH393A

2. Operating System installed (if applicable)
• Example: Windows XP, Windows Vista 32-bit, Windows 7 64-bit

3. Error message (if any)
• Example: ""Low disk space"" error in Windows

4. Any changes made to your system before the issue occurred
• Examples: Upgrading your Operating System or installing a new software; or installing new hardware like a printer, modem, or router.

If you have any other questions about posting in the community, please feel free to send me a private message.

Thank you.