Diagnostic Repair Loop, Won't Start or Reset/Restore

[Cavalier295]

Hello,

My Omen laptop has been working great since I bought it over a year ago, probably close to two now, but last night it encountered a critical error and has bricked itself. I was browsing my Steam library when the computer suddenly was hit with a blue screen notifying me that Windows had experienced a critical error. The computer shut down and attempted to restart, going through a quick diagnostic and repair. i got back to the login screen, logged in, and then it immediately repeated and crashed. It once again attempted a diagnosis and repair, but said it was unable to find any fix, and when I attempted to 'continue' the start-up, it just cycled back to the diagnosis repair.

Since then, I've tried a number of different solutions to no avail. I attempted a start in safe mode - did not work. I then ran some commands through advanced options command prompt to check for drive corruption; no bad files were detected, but then the prompt immediately shut down after "failed to transfer logged messages to the event log with status 50."

I attempted to do a system restore to an earlier point (the day before) - did not work. I tried to do a full system reset with all available options - keeping personal files, not keeping personal files, fully cleaning drive, etc. None of them worked as I do not have enough room for a Windows backup on my hard drive (250gb ssd, unfortunately only have about 13gb free on it).

I then tried a full factory image reset. Also failed, with the only error message I can find in the provided log as "[PIN_ERROR_MSG][Find4QFE.cmd] Failed to install QFE." and to see the log saved on my drive files for more details (which of course I can't access since the computer won't even turn on).

I have finally attempted to do a fresh installation of Windows 10 using two different USBs, neither of which will work. During the installation phase - specifically, preparing files for installion - I get an error "Windows cannot install required files. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation. Error code: 0x8007025D." One of the USBs belongs to a friend who had it handy; the other I just copied a startup image onto from Window's official website. There is no way that both USBs had incomplete files.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed in troubleshooting at this point, especially given the fact that my warranty is up. The hardware all seems fine; when I went to install windows 10 fresh, it detected all the proper drives and free space as a path for me to install, and the command prompts to check disk integrity, etc, all function fine. I suspect there's a serious software or firmware issue, but that's beyond my expertise. Any help would be extremely appreciated!

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @Cavalier295 

Thank you for posting in the HP Support Community. Quite an extensive troubleshooting you have done - kudos for that,

The error 0x8007025D may be related to lack of space for Windows to install OR a hardware failure.

• Did you try to install or a partition with enough space OR did you format the entire drive initially ?
• Check this out >> https://appuals.com/windows-cannot-install-required-files-0x8007025d/
  
  
• Have you performed HP hardware diagnostics (F2) ?

Please, test the hardware for problems now. 

- 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.

[Cavalier295]

Hello,

Thanks for the prompt response. I actually neglected to do an HP hardware diagnostics check - thank you for suggesting it, I just ran a memory check and it failed with the following:

FAILURE ID : U8EEMS-93N9KE-MFPUQK-40NOO3

Memory Module 2 Bottom-Slot 2(right)

So I suppose that the RAM module in the indicated slot is broken and needs to be replaced? Coincidentally, I had suspected a RAM problem as previous threads on tech support forums (here and elsewhere) with similar problems had a number of people claim that replacing their RAM solved the issue. I actually took apart the casing yesterday and tested running the laptop with only one module of RAM at a time - the laptop should be able to run without the second one, yet it still encountered the same problem, so I assumed it wasn't the RAM.

Is there any reason the laptop would encounter these problems if only one of the RAM modules failed? The HP hardware diagnostic only indicated that the second module had an issue, but as I mentioned, I did take that one out during some troubleshooting so that it would rely exclusively on the first (and vice versa) - and the laptop still suffered the same issue. I suppose I'll have to go buy some new RAM modules and try to swap both current ones?

Otherwise, I did a quick check on the hard drives, which passed fine - I currently have a full extended check going on the laptop which will take some time, just in case.

Thanks again for the help thus far!

[IT_WinSec]

Hey @Cavalier295 

You are most welcome.

Yes, probably the root cause is a hardware failure - one of your memory (RAM chip) module has failed.

You need to open your computer, get the faulty module out and buy a new one of the same type. Your new one must be the same type as the existing one:

• DDR4
• 1x4 GB or 1x8 , or 2x4  GB
• speed/frequency - 2400 MHz
  

>> https://www.computerhope.com/btips/memory.htm

You can buy the memory from a reputable local tech store, order it online or check the HP Parts Store >> http://partsurfer.hp.com/

Here is an article >> https://support.hp.com/nz-en/document/c00820047

How to replace the RAM can be read in the official service manual for your PC model (page 43/55) -> here -> http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05356862

Once you replace the memory chip, the issue should be resolved. Let me know if this helps.