Solved: Re: hard drive failure - HP Support Community

FrenchyfromPA · ‎04-13-2017

Hi,

Yesterday, I was browsing the websites I usually check every day and my browser kept redirecting me to other websites and I had frozen issues. I ran the free MalwareBytes program I have on my computer and found "Pup.optional.Bytefence" in the results and I removed them. But my computer kept freezing and I couldn't even open the start button. I ran chkdsk and there was no issue then I decided to run various diagnostics and got the same result :
Quick test failed

Actually I had other issues last week and ran the same diagnostic and it passed...

Is the hard drive really dead and I need to replace it? I even tried to reset my laptop to factory settings but it also failed.

I hope you can help me and give me some advices. Thanks.

Serge

IT_WinSec · ‎04-14-2017

Well, no, you cannot just transfer them - you will have to use HP Recovery Manager software so that it create a recovery media for you >> https://support.hp.com/rs-en/document/c04758961#AbT5

However, since you were unable to create a back up and you also failed to reset Windows (HP Recovery) - mentioned by you earlier, I think this option may fail and is unreliable. You can try, though, it doesn't hurt but I cannot guarantee you it will work. If it doesn't you will have to purchase the recovery media.

For many years now computers which have Windows preinstalled don't ship with recovery discs includes - it is not only HP that does this. Computers have recovery partition and image stored locally on the HDD and it necessary, users can create recovery media on their own soon after PC is purchased. Actually, this is one of the things I do after I am ready setting up my new PC.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

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Arklenski · ‎04-13-2017

Hi,

please remove your Windows licence key in your diagnostic result quote.

What do you meen by "freeze" ? mouse cursor is stuck, or no possibilty to launch or open anything BUT mouse is working ?

FrenchyfromPA · ‎04-13-2017

Arlenski,

The mouse is still moving but there is the spinning circle and if I click on any program icons on my desktop nothing happens and I can't even shut it down, I have to do it manually

FrenchyfromPA · ‎04-13-2017

By the way I forgot to mention that yesterday I ran MalwareBytes and I had to remove some Bytefence stuff, I've never heard about that before.

Arklenski · ‎04-13-2017

Already did a firmware update for your hard drive ?

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-15-af100-notebook-pc-series/8543365/model/896140...

(Firmware section, choose the right file according to your hard disk)

Times are bad for hard drives, really... especially HGST

And yes, ByteFence is another common and useless spyware. Usually comes with some software installers, checked by default.

FrenchyfromPA · ‎04-14-2017

I always update the firmware on my hard drive. I think I'm going to contact HP directly, I'd really like to find out what the error code of the diagnostic means and if it's only with the hard drive or else...

IT_WinSec · ‎04-14-2017

Hello @FrenchyfromPA

Please, provide the failure ID code and an I can tell you what the code means.

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FrenchyfromPA · ‎04-14-2017

Hi,

Here it is ID 94XNK9-7TB8K7-XD7WLK-60QT03

IT_WinSec · ‎04-14-2017

@FrenchyfromPA wrote:
Hi,

Here it is ID 94XNK9-7TB8K7-XD7WLK-60QT03

Hi @FrenchyfromPA

I checked the code in the appropriate system/tool and this error codes shows as checksum error/checksum failed.

This is because the error code you provided is incorrect or because the HDD is failing.

If the quick test for HDD has failed, it is strongly recommended that you back up your data immediately to prevent data loss and replace the HDD with a new one or with an SSD.

The Windows check tool is primary used to check for and detect issues on the file system

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

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/capacity as the current one or bigger (small 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.

Last part - once you replace the faulty component - you will need to reinstall back your operating system - let me know if you need assistance on that.

Your FEEDBACK is important. Use the interactive buttons below and let me know if the post helps ;
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FrenchyfromPA · ‎04-14-2017

Diagnostic results for quick, short and extensive test :

Battery check : primary - calibration required (20)
Processor check : passed
Wireless module check : passed
Hard drive smart test : passed
Hard drive short DST check : failed

Failure ID : 94XNK9-7TB8K8-XD7WLK-60XT03

hard drive failure

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