I'm unable to start up windows. UEFI menu: memory/drive quick checks= passed, storage= not installed

[Tommekeuh]

I wanted to do  a windows recovery after I found a virus in my system after performing a deep scan by my Norton antivirus software. I couldn't turn of my laptop anymore without pressing the on/off button for several second so that is when I noticed something was of. But in the hp recovery menu I can do a systeem recovery nor can I do a restart recovery or go back  to a previous version of windows. So after doing some UEFI quick checks I noticed my storage was not installed. I guess this has someting to do with me ending a start up program from intel in the Norton start up programs list to speed up things. But since I'm unable now to enter windows I don't now where to start from here. I'm sure that my laptop is fiine but I just need to be able to reïnstall windows or fix  the storage issue. Any advice on this matter?

[Max3Aj]

Hi @Tommekeuh, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 

It sounds like your HP Pavilion x360 - 14-cd0168nb is having trouble detecting the storage device (SSD/HDD), likely due to a missing or disabled Intel storage driver. Since you cannot access Windows, the best way to proceed is to attempt a manual Windows reinstallation and ensure that the storage drive is recognized.

Steps to Fix the Storage Issue & Reinstall Windows:

Step 1: Check UEFI (BIOS) Settings

1. Turn off your laptop.
2. Turn it back on and immediately press F10 repeatedly to enter BIOS.
3. Go to Storage or Advanced Settings and check if the SSD/HDD is listed.
4. If the drive is missing:
   • Go to Configuration > SATA Mode and switch between RAID and AHCI, then restart and check again.
   • Enable Legacy Support if available.
   • Reset BIOS to Default Settings and save changes.
5. If the drive appears, try booting into recovery again.

Step 2: Use HP Hardware Diagnostics

1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Press F2 while turning it back on.
3. Select Component Tests > Hard Drive Test.
4. Run a quick test to see if the drive is functional.

If the drive fails the test, it may be physically damaged and need replacement.

 

[Max3Aj]

Step 3: Reinstall Windows Manually

Since HP Recovery is not working, you’ll need a bootable Windows 10 USB drive.

1. On another working computer, download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft:
   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
2. Insert a USB drive (at least 8GB), and create a bootable USB.
3. Insert the USB into your HP laptop and power it on.
4. Press F9 repeatedly to access the Boot Menu.
5. Select the USB drive and boot from it.
6. When the Windows setup screen appears:
   • Click Install Now.
   • Choose Custom Installation.
   • If the storage drive does not appear, click Load Driver and try installing the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver from HP’s support website using another USB.
7. If the drive appears, delete existing partitions and proceed with a fresh install.

Step 4: Install Intel Storage Driver if Drive is Missing

If the Windows installer does not detect the drive:

1. Download the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver for your laptop from HP’s official website.
2. Extract the driver onto another USB drive.
3. When installing Windows, select Load Driver and point to the extracted folder.
4. This should allow Windows to recognize your SSD.
    

• If Windows still does not detect the drive, the SSD might be faulty and need replacement.
• If recovery tools don't work, HP’s Cloud Recovery Tool may be an alternative.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[Tommekeuh]

Hey thanks for the aid, I managed to fix the problem already myself but indeed I basically did all the steps you wrote down. But I did switched again to save mode once the system was able to find the storage back again in legacy mode. You will need to restart but han I was able to reboot Windows through my usb stick which contained the Windows recovery software.

[Max3Aj]

Hey @Tommekeuh, Nice work! Switching to Legacy Mode to detect the storage and then rebooting into Safe Mode was a smart move. Glad you were able to get Windows running again with your recovery USB.

If you run into any weird issues later—like slow performance, driver conflicts, or storage detection problems—consider switching back to UEFI Mode in BIOS after reinstalling Windows, since Legacy Mode is mostly for older systems.

If any new challenges arise or if you have any lingering questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here, ready to support you and guide you through anything you need.

If my response helped resolve your issue, kindly click “Accepted Solution” — it will help others find their way to the solution as well. And if you’d like to show appreciation, clicking the “Kudos/Thumbs Up” at the bottom right will let me know!

Take care and have an amazing day ahead!

Warm regards,

Max3Aj

HP Support