HP laptop 15-ef1041nr stuck on "please wait" after trying to do system recovery

[Drewski73]

My HP Laptop 15-ef1041nr was stuck in automatic repair. I restarted it and accessed the user tools via ESC key. I selected F11 which is the system recovery access. Now its stuck in "please wait". I performed tests in the HP Menu via ESC and everything passed. I need some guidance on this one......

Drewski73

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Your notebook is supported by the HP cloud recovery tool which you can use on another PC running W7 64 bit or newer and a 32 GB USB flash drive that will create a bootable USB recovery drive that will reinstall Windows, the drivers and the software that originally came with your notebook.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility:

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Customer Support

You will need to enter your notebook's product number, 1Y8Z9UA#ABA, in the tool's search box after you install the software so you can create the recovery media.

[Drewski73]

Hi Paul! Thank you so much for the feedback on this. I was able to determine that I had a bad memory stick. Bought new ones and now the System recognizes both sticks in the setup.

I created a boot recovery as you instructed and as the HP website instructed. I went in and changed to the boot option to USB. Now, I get the Black HP startup screen but there is a different looking circular timer and it just sits on this screen. What now do you recommend?

Scott

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Scott.

How are you trying to boot from the USB recovery drive?

The way it should be done is to have the flash drive in a USB port.

Turn on or restart the PC.

Immediately press/tap the ESC key to get the menu of options.

Select the F9 boot options menu and from that, select the USB recovery drive and press the Enter key.

The PC should boot from the flash drive.

[Drewski73]

Hi Paul!

That is exactly what I did the first time. I then went into the BIOS settings and changed the order of the boot device to the USB flash. That had the same result; black HP screen with straight tail circle of timing. I then went and made another boot drive with another USB flash, changed the boot order back to the hard drive, rebooted and hit the ESC key and did the F9 and had the system boot from the new USB flash drive. after 9hrs, still the same black HP screen with the solid timing tail instead of the dotted timing tail circle.......

Does that make sense?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

OK, so you did follow the correct procedure to boot from the drive.

Unfortunately, I don't know what the problem could be.

The only other suggestion I can offer would be to make a bootable W10 USB installation flash drive with the media creation tool in order to rule out a problem with the HP recovery media.

Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

[Drewski73]

Hi Paul!

I tried that and Win 11. Both did the same thing as the HP bootable. This evening I am going to remove the BIOS battery and reinstall another to reset the MB. Last attempt I guess.....

Thanks again for all your help. If you think of another option, please let me know.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Unfortunately. I'm out of ideas.

I sure hope you can get your notebook to work.