Specter X-360 Not Booting - SFO

[DPoulos]

I have a 4 year old Specter X-360 that will not boot up today.  I get a Hard Disk3FO error message.  When I do the hardware checks using the maintenance menus, the SSD and memory all show good.  When I try to reinstall the OS or boot from a Stick, I get an error message and the system will not allow me to install the SSD on the current SSD (which by the way is protected by Bitlocker and which I cannot unlock working with the repair menus).

This system has Optane and I get the feeling that the Optane memory is corrupted or has failed because the hardware checks show the SSD as good.  I think that part of the boot-up uses the Optane memory.  I can disable the Optane memory but there is a warning that I will loose everything if I do - everything on the SSD and everything on the SSD..

So, is the Optane used in the boot-up? Is that the likely problem if the Hardware checks show the SSD as being good?   If I just stuff a new SSD in the machine, will the Optane cause problems with the new SSD?  Is there anyway to recover the progams and settings that are currently on the SSD (I have the working files stored out in the cloud but I am going to spend days recovering all my working programs ans settings)?  Can I buy a new SSD and clone the current one to the new one or will the same problems jsut get transferred from the old SSD to the new SSD?

Or is it just time to go buy a new machine and save myself days of frustration?  Is this a problem that is unfixable.  I like the Spectre X-360 and frankly don't have a clue what I would replace it with.

[Raj_05]

Hi @DPoulos,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

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

I'm sorry to hear that your HP Spectre x360 is not booting. When a laptop fails to boot, it can be caused by various issues, ranging from software problems to hardware failures. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try to diagnose and potentially resolve the issue.

• Check for Power: Ensure that your laptop has sufficient battery power or is connected to a power source. Sometimes, a drained battery can prevent a laptop from booting.
• Disconnect External Devices: Disconnect all external devices such as USB drives, printers, and external monitors. These devices can sometimes cause boot issues.
• Hard Reset: Perform a hard reset by turning off the laptop, unplugging it from the power source, and removing the battery (if possible). Hold the power button down for about 15 seconds, then reconnect the battery and power source and try to boot again.
• BIOS/UEFI Settings: Access the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the appropriate key during startup (usually Esc, F2, F10, or Del). Check if the boot order is correctly set to boot from the internal hard drive or SSD.
• Safe Mode: Try to boot your laptop in Safe Mode. This will load a minimal set of drivers and may help identify if a software issue is causing the problem.
• Windows Recovery: If you're using Windows, you can try using the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). You can access it by holding down the Shift key while clicking "Restart" from the login screen or using a Windows installation or recovery USB drive.
• Run Diagnostics: Some HP laptops have built-in diagnostics tools. You can access these by pressing the F2 key repeatedly during startup. Run a diagnostic test to check for hardware issues.
• Check for Error Messages: Pay attention to any error messages or beeping sounds your laptop emits during startup. These can provide clues about what's causing the issue.
• Bootable USB: Create a bootable USB drive with a diagnostic tool or operating system (e.g., a Windows installation USB). Boot from the USB drive to see if the issue is related to your internal storage.
• Hardware Issues: If none of the above steps work, it's possible that there's a hardware problem, such as a faulty hard drive, RAM, or motherboard.

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!

Alden4
HP Support 

[DPoulos]

Thanks for the inputs.   I've tried most of that already.  The big notes I take from the trouble shooting I've done is 1) all the hardware checks are good - no hardware failures, 2) I've tried to reinstall Windows 11 and it will not install - saying that the "Optane is Incomplete" , and 3) I noticed, when trying to make sure the BIOS settings looked okay, was that the date and time kept resetting to 01/01/2019 time 00:00:00 everytime I turn the computer on/off.

I've had  CMOS battery die on me in a few other laptops and the indication of that is when the date and time keep resetting.  In doing some research on the 'net, it appears that the Spectre X360 doesn't have a CMOS battery on the motherboard but uses the main battery.  So, I replaced the battery, and the system date and time now check good.  But I still get the "Optane Incomplete" error message.

So, I am guessing that the CMOS Battery (e.g,, main battery) failed and I lost part of the Optane memory because of that.  I don't know, but I am guessing that part of the boot up instruction set is stored in the Optane Memory (maybe you could confirm that).  So, it will not boot up using a USB Stick.

So, I have no idea how to do a reinstall of the OS at that point.  I don't have a disk to reinstall the OS.  I am lost at this point.

Can I just put in a new SSD and then attempt a new Windows 11 install or will the issue with whatever problems the "Incomplete Optane" problem is creating still prevent a install (or Windows 11 repair)?

[Raj_05]

Hi @DPoulos,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

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

Due to limited support, I would request you contact our HP Support and our Support Engineers should be able to sort this out. HP Support can be reached by clicking on the following link.

https://www.hp.com/contacthp/

Please feel free to contact us here anytime you need any further assistance.

Have a great day!

Alden4
HP Support 

[DPoulos]

Alden4.  I appreciate your help.

The only thing that I see at the https://www.hp.com/contacthp/ link is, pardon me for being a bit snarky here, "give us $16.99 per month and we'll answer you".  Before I do that, and it would be well worth my time and money to get this thing fixed, I want to be pretty sure that they can help me fix this thing..

My best guess right now, is that the only thing that will fix it is a Factory OS Install Disk and I am not even sure if that will work.  I've tried F11 and F10 and F9 and F2 and the only error is see if "Optane Memory Incomplete".  I cannot do a recovery (F11 I think) and I cannot use MS Install Media on a USB Stick - because when I do, I get a message saying that they cannot access the SSD because it is bitlocked.  I enter the bitlock key in some other option page and then try to restart the install or OS repair using F11 and it goes back to not being able to access the SSD to do an install.

Is the Optane on the SSD or is it on the motherboard.  If I buy another SSD and tryt to do a clean install (loosing all my programs - I've got the data files backed up to OneDrive) will that even work, and will have to pull the Optane from the Motherboard, assuing it is not on the SSD itself.  Is there enough of an OS left to actually ready the USB Stick to do an OS reinstall.  Is there even such a thing as a HP Factory Disk to do a complete reinstall, or fix of the OS?  Before I give some one money jsut to talk to me, I'd like to know that there is some hope of getting this thing back.

[DPoulos]

Good news.  I tried on of the BIOS option, which was to combine the Optane and regular memory.  It warned that I would loose my files but at this point, it did not seem like there were any other options.  That worked and I could reinstall Win 11.  I've got some work to do to reinstall programs, but since most, if not all, my data files were backed up on OneDrive, I am feeling better.  It just cost me an unnecessary battery replacement, but what the heck, the original battery was 4 years old anyway.

[Irfan_06]

Hi @DPoulos,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

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

I see that you are facing an issue with your PC/Laptop.

Please follow the steps below to perform an extensive system test to confirm if the hardware is working fine.

1) Shut down the computer.

2) Turn the computer back on again and repeatedly tap on the ESC until a Startup menu appears.  

3) Press F2 once.  

4) Go to the system test > extensive test

If the hardware is working fine. Please follow the steps below to perform a reset.

1) Shut down the computer.

2) Turn the computer back on again and repeatedly tap on the ESC until a Startup menu appears.  

3) Select the F11 key to enter the recovery environment.

4) On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.

4) "Reset your PC" to erase all data and restore your system.

5) From here just follow the screen instructions until the recovery is completed.

Kindly refer to the steps on this link for reference and let me know if that fixes the issue.

 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!

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a great day ahead!

Irwin6

HP Support

[DPoulos]

I did all that pretty on in the process.  The only solution that worked, and which I was hesitant to use, was to combine the Optane Memory with the other memory which included the warning that I would lose all my files. But, that allowed me to boot up the computer and I just had to spend a day reinstalling everything.

I had done the esc, F2, F9, F10 and F11 routine a number of times and it would not recover.  All the hardware actually tested okay.  I could not do a recovery and do not have a HP recovery disk (I think that is on one of the sectors on the HD).

Now I am dealing with the fingerprint reader not working.  And it looks like there is a long trail of people trying to fix that one.  But it boots now and I have Win11 installed and have reinstalled most of my programs, so my Spectre is usable now.

[Irfan_06]

Hi @DPoulos,

Glad to hear that the PC is booting up into Windows now.
Please follow the below steps to fix the issue related to fingerprint reader not working.

Solution one is to update or reinstall your fingerprint driver. To do this, you need to open Device Manager, go to Biometric devices or Human Interface Device, right-click on your fingerprint reader, and select Update driver or Uninstall device. Then, restart your computer and check if the fingerprint option is available.

Solution two is to disable faulty USB drivers. Sometimes, a USB driver may not work properly and interferes with the fingerprint reader. To check this, you need to open Device Manager again, scroll down to Universal Serial Bus Controllers, and look for any device that has a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark on it. Right-click on the faulty device, select Properties, and click on the Driver tab. Then, click on Disable device, wait for a few seconds, and enable it again. Alternatively, you can uninstall the faulty device and restart your computer to reinstall the default driver.

Solution three is to disable and enable the fingerprint driver. This may help reset the fingerprint reader and make it work again. To do this, you need to open Device Manager once more, right-click on the fingerprint driver under Biometric devices or Human Interface Device, select Properties, and click on the Driver tab. Then, click on Disable device, wait for a few seconds, and enable it again.

Solution four is to switch to a local account. Sometimes, using a Microsoft account may cause issues with the fingerprint option. To switch to a local account, you need to go to Settings, select Accounts, and click on Your info. Then, select Sign in with a local account instead and follow the instructions. After signing out and signing in with your local account, check if the fingerprint option is available.

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!

 

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a great day ahead!

Irwin6

HP Support