Dropped laptop, says preparing automatic repairs, then hangs

[Enderspy]

I accidentally dropped my laptop. Now, whenever I turn it on, I get a screen saying "Preparing automatic repairs", then it hangs on a blank black screen. I saw elsewhere in the forums to run a system diagnostics, and I got a hard drive failure with the error code Q31HX9-7T998S-MFPWLK-60VG03. What does this code mean? Can I fix it, or at least recover my files?

[EddyK]

Hello @Enderspy,

Failure ID Q31HX9-7T998S-MFPWLK-60VG03 translates to Failure Code 303 or Hard Disk 1 Quick Test Failure.

I regret to inform you that the drop has damaged the hard drive and rendered it useless. Your only option is to replace the hard drive.

Hard Drive replacement procedures can be found here. A typical HDD from any reputable brand will work but an SSD is ultimately recommended. You can attempt to retrieve the data using a USB to SATA adapter and recovery software. Insert the new drive, and connect the failed hard drive using the adapter after reinstalling Windows 10. 

You can reinstall Windows 10 using HP Recovery Media, Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, backups, etc. 

Hope this helps,

Eddy

[iomare]

Hi,

Yes, you are going to need to replace the hard drive.

So what you need is a 2.5" SATA3 (max 2TB because of thickness of drive). You can get from your preferred brand such as Seagate, WD...

Example:

https://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barracuda-2-5-Inch-Internal-ST2000LM015/dp/B01LYNQXCP/ref=sr_1_4?ie=U...

or you could opt for a 2.5" SATA3 SSD which would improve everyday performance of the PC

Example:

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Inch-Internal-MZ-76E1T0B-AM/dp/B0781Z7Y3S/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie...

On page 38 of service manual you can see the steps to replace drive:

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04786101

You will need to reinstall the OS on the drive, either by using recovery disks, migrating a backup image or by downloading media creation tool from Microsoft on different PC (this is for Windows 10), running and creating a bootable pendrive with the OS on it on different computer. (there is explanation on the Microsoft web page on how to create the pendrive) Windows will automatically activate once installed and connected to Internet. 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

If you choose this option you will need to use the pendrive to perform a clean install of Windows 10. You might need to disable fastboot and secure boot in BIOS (probably not). So, insert the pendrive in the PC and it should boot directly from the drive. If not, turn off PC by holding power button. Press power button and immediately keep pressing ESC  until startup menu appears and then press F9 and choose the pendrive in boot menu. Once it boots from pendrive follow the procedure to install Windows. You do not need a product key as it is in the firmware. Windows will automatically activate once installed and connected to internet.

When finished installing allow Windows to completely update and find all or most drivers. You can follow this process by going into settings > Security and update > click on Verify for updates. You might need to reboot a couple of times. Once completely updated you  can go into device manager and see if there are any missing drivers (there will be yellow exclamation mark next to the device). You can find these drivers and software on HP support page for your product.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-14-ab100-notebook-pc-series/8499300/model/8857342/p...

Once you replace the drive you can use a SATA to USB adapter to connect the old drive to the PC and try to recover your personal files. It will work like an external drive.

Example:

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-SATA-Drive-Adapter-Cable/dp/B00HJZJI84/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=pc&ie=U...

You will need to go to the old user folder on the drive and copy your personal files. When you try to open the User folder it will ask for administrator authorization and can take some time to open (even 10 minutes) as all the files in the folder will need to get security authorization.

Now if the drive does not work externally, you can send it to a data recovery service which will dismantle the drive and try to recover the files. Usually real expensive.

Let me know if you need further help,

David

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