SMART hard drive and black screen

[amd123]

When the computer first turns on it displays that the SMART hard disk detected an imminent error. If i press to continue the set-up I get past the HP logo and then get a black screen with a cursor and am unable to log in. I've tried a hard reset, but it didn't work. How can I fix this?

[WAWood]

@amd123 

Sorry, but basically, apart from replacing the hard drive, you can't -- fix this issue.

While S.M.A.R.T. is not 100% accurate, when it display a message about imminent error, that is generally a very good indication that your hard drive is on its last legs and could fail at any time.

While it could last for several more days, it could also fail immediately! The more you use the drive, the less likely you'll be able to recover anything on it.

So, there are four issues to address here:
1) Data Recovery
2) Drive replacement
3) Recovery Media
4) System restoration

---------- Data Recovery ----------

Your best bet for recovering data now is to do the following:
1) Remove the hard drive from the PC
2) Purchase a USB-to-Hard Driver adapter kit
3) Download and install this utility on a working PC: http://www.majorgeeks.com/news/story/recover_data_in_3_steps_with_minitool_power_data_recovery_free_...
4) Connect the old drive to the working PC
5) Run the data recovery utility to see what can be retrieved from the old drive.

If that tools does not find what you need, an alternative is Recuva: http://www.piriform.com/recuva

And, if that does not work well, the best tool out there is this one, but only the trial version is free: http://www.file-recovery.com/

---------- Drive Replacement ----------
The drive will need to be replaced. When you remove it, you will see that it is a 2 1/5 inch laptop SATA drive.

You can replace this with any similar laptop drive of the same capacity or larger.

If the PC is still under the original one-year HP warranty, or if you have purchased an Extended Warranty and that coverage is still in place, you should be able to get the drive replaced by HP at no charge. To explore that option, you would have to contact HP Customer Support.

If you live in the US or Canada, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/phone-assist.html#section1

If you live elsewhere, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-contact-us.html

NOTE: After you get through, stay on the line until you are finally able to talk to some one -- it can take a while!

If you have trouble finding a phone number, then try: 1 (800) 474-6836
---------------------------------------

However, HP Customer Support is generally not available on the weekends, so you might have to wait until Monday to contact them.

---------- Recovery Media ----------

Once you have the replacement drive, you will need to use something known as HP Recovery Media to restore your PC to working condition. This is a set of DVDs and a CD, or USB stick, that will erase the hard drive (removing all data, settings, and applications, reinstall the original OS, drivers, and some HP Utilities. In some cases, you may be able to order a USB stick instead of disks. You have to order these from HP; they can not be downloaded.

You can look online for Recovery Media starting with the linked paged: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

Once there, input your Product name or number. On your Software and Drivers Download page, select your Operating System and and Version. Click "Update". If HP Recovery Media is available for your machine, down near the bottom of the page, you will see an entry for Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB. Click the "+" symbol to expand that entry and click on Order Media for details.

Or, if you prefer, you can do the same by contacting HP Customer Service (see contact info above)

If HP no longer provides Recovery Media for your model, another site you can check is: http://www.computersurgeons.com/

---------- System Restoration ----------

While you are waiting for the media to arrive, read through this: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00006110

Good Luck

[OFarrell]

Hi, this is my first time to post.  I am having the same issue.  I have the HP Envy x360 15M-BP012DX. 

First, I would to know if it means anything that when I plug the hard drive into another computer with my sabrent drive connector and the drive appears to be fine.  I was able to view it, open it, copy all the files, back it up, all with no issues.  Is there any way to find out if the Smart hd ck is wrong?

Second, I have ordered the recovery media from the HP site.

Can I install an ssd into this computer and use the recovery media from HP to set it up?  I have a Crucial MX500 1TB 3D NAND SATA 2.5" internal SSD that I would love to install in it, but I am not sure if it is allowed.  So far, everywhere I look, it seems to indicate that it will not be compatible.

All help is appreciated!

[WAWood]

@OFarrell 

Sorry, but in general, the answer is NO -- that you can't use HP Recovery Media to install to an SSD.

Why?

Because the Recovery Media expects a drive of similar capacity to the original drive that came in the HP, and SSDs are usually much smaller, due to their costs.

I have been told (by others) that any SSD of 256GB or larger WILL work, but I have not been able to confirm this myself.

[OFarrell]

The SSD is the same size as the original drive.  Does anyone else have an answer to this?

[WAWood]

@OFarrell 

I have done this with an SSD the same capacity as the original HDD -- and confirmed that it works.

It should work in your case, too.

Good Luck