-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
- HP Community
- Notebooks
- Notebook Hardware and Upgrade Questions
- Laptop won’t start up. Says hard disk failure

Create an account on the HP Community to personalize your profile and ask a question
06-29-2025 12:00 PM
This is an older laptop, Hp pavilion dv7. I can’t get it to open . I’m getting a message stating that the smart hard drive disk check has detected an imminent failure. I’ve run all the tests, and it keeps coming up with hard disk failure. Is there anything I cans do to get this to open? I use this computer every day. I went on vacation for 10 days, and turned it off. Upon returning, it wouldn’t start up. Thank you
07-01-2025 10:11 AM
@Lygeorge, Welcome to HP Support Community,
Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue
Back Up Important Data Immediately:
Since your hard drive is at risk of failing, the most urgent step is to back up any important files. Use external drives, cloud storage services, or any other backup method available to you.
Run the Drive Protection System Test:
You can run the Drive Protection System test using HP diagnostics. During boot-up, press F2 to access the diagnostics menu and check the hard drive's status.
Apply Hard Drive Firmware Patch if Available:
Check HP's support site for any firmware patches that might resolve erroneous error messages given by the hard drive's SMART diagnostic.
Also, I suggest you refer to this guide for further troubleshooting steps: HP PCs - SMART hard disk error 301, 302, 309, 30A, 30B, 30C, 3F1, 3F2 | HP® Support
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps.
Take care and have a good day.
Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!
Regards,
Garp_Senchau
I am an HP Employee