Smart hard disk error, the smart hard disk has detected an imminent failur. How do I fix this

[coopm77]

My HP 15 Notebook PC is showing this ,Smart hard disk error, smart hard disk check detected an imminent failure

[mdklassen]

> SMART hard disk error, SMART hard disk check detected an imminent failure.

This is a very common question on this forum.

For a definition of 'SMART', see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M.A.R.T.

It is technology built-in to the disk-drive, to measure over 20 points about the "health" of your disk-drive.

An example: overheating.

Google-search for "download free SPECCY".

Download, install, and run SPECCY, and expand the "Storage" section.

Expand the "SMART" section to show all those measurements-- look for anything labelled WARNING or BAD.

Tell us what you see.

Your disk-drive is on its "last legs".

Do not run "disk-intensive" tasks, such as "Disk Defragmenter".

Before it completely fails, backup all your files onto an external disk-drive (or large-capacity USB memory-stick).

Remember to include your "bookmarks" and your E-mail messages.

Also, search on your computer for a program to create a "System Recovery Set".

This "set" can be written to one 16GB USB memory-stick, or burnt to a few DVD-recordable disks.

Or, did the manufacturer provide you this "set" on a few DVD disks?

Take an inventory of what "free" programs are installed on your computer, e.g., Adobe Reader, Audacity, iTunes.

Take an inventory of what "commercial" programs are installed on your computer, e.g., Microsoft Office, and find the "license-keys" for such software.

Purchase a new disk-drive.

Take your computer to a computer-store, for them to look at the current disk-drive, and to recommend a replacement that fits into your computer.

Physically remove the current disk-drive.

Connect the newly-purchased disk-drive.

Use that "System Recovery Set" to install Windows.

Run "Windows Update".

Reinstall the programs in your inventory lists.

If loading Windows 7, install some anti-virus software.

Reload your personal files from the "backup" on your external disk-drive.

Or ...

Purchase a new disk-drive from either SEAGATE or WESTERN DIGITAL.

Both manufacturers have free "disk-cloning" software on their (respective) web-sites.

Leave the current disk-drive connected.

Connect the new disk-drive.

Run the "cloning" software to create an exact image of your current disk-drive onto the new drive.

Hopefully, no (or maybe just a few) blocks on your current disk-drive will "fail" to be readable.

Shutdown.

Disconnect the AC power (and laptop battery).

Disconnect the old disk-drive.

Connect the new disk-drive.

Start-up the computer, and boot from the "cloned" drive.

Everything should be there -- data & programs & E-mail & bookmarks.

[coopm77]

Boot device not found, no operating system found

[IT_WinSec · Accepted solution]

Hello @coopm77

Thank you for posting in the HP Support forum. Welcome !

Please, note that I merged 2 of your threads into one single to keep it all in one place. Please, use the "Reply" button to post your replies re. this issue here.

What you experience is caused due to faulty HDD, you will probably not be able to recover your files. Let me know if you have important information on your drive which is not yet copied and if you want me to post instructions how to try to copy the information. However, since the HDD has failed, there is no guarantee of data recovery. You will need to replace the faulty component.

Your options:

1) If your computer is still under warranty, please contact HP Support and inform them. They will work with you about the way to replace the faulty component.  Contact HP:

>> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp

2) If your computer is with warranty period expired, you will need to replace the faulty HDD - buy it on your own. There are variety of options - vendors you can choose from. You can get it online or from PC retail store, or from HP parts store http://partsurfer.hp.com/

You can also consider installing SSD instead of HDD - this is strongly recommended as SSDs are way faster, more repliable and lighter. More info on SSDs:

>> http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001396.htm

>> http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404258,00.asp

You need HDD with the very same size and capacity as the current one or bigger (smaller will not work) - e.g. if your current HDD is with 500 GB capacity, your new HDD/SDD must also be 500 GB or with bigger capacity. 

How to replace the faulty HDD with new HDD or new SSD: please, find info and instruction in your computer's manual or watch YouTube videos examples for your HP model.  If you do not want to do this on your own, please bring the computer (or ship it) to HP Authorized Service Center where the technicians will do this for you. If you are not sure where such a center is located, check these or contact HP for assistance in finding the nearest one for you:

>> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00372730

>> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/store-finder/find.do?bs=SR4&type=authorized

3) Last part - once you replace the faulty component - you will need to reinstall back your operating system - Windows or another. So,

3.1 ) IF your computer originally came with Windows preinstalled by HP (a.k.a. OEM Windows), then you need to use HP recovery media - DVDs or USB pen drive you have previously created   or   recovery media purchased from HP. Some general info >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00006110

If there is no recovery media at HP, you can try to contact these 3rd parties

http://www.best2serve.com/page/rcd_landing   OR   http://www.computersurgeons.com/

 to see if they can offer you such recovery media

3.2) IF your computer did not originally come with Windows preinstalled but you later installed operating system on your own, you need to use the OS / Windows installation media and install Windows on your own.

Please, let me know how it goes and do post back if you need assistance. Looking forward to your feeback/reply.

[coopm77]

What would cause this to happen?

[IT_WinSec]

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@coopm77 wrote:
What would cause this to happen?

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Hi,

It could be something that you did (by accident, for example) , some environmental issues or it just got its time to fail due to mechanical issues. You can read very detailed description of all possible reasons for the HDD to fail here >> https://www.stellarinfo.com/blog/6-worst-reasons-of-hard-disk-failure/

It is important to never rely 100% on any technology - always and regularly create a backup (copy) of your most important data and store them on another HDD or online in a safe Cloud service.