HP Hardware Diagnostics Window keeps showing in background -- Is this new?

[cahwyguy]

In the past week or so, I've begun to notice the HP Hardware Diagnostics application suddenly running, opening a window in the background (it shows when I do a task switch), and after a minute or two, it goes away. I've run the diagnostics and there are no errors. I've confirmed this is the real application, run both virus scan and malwarebytes to ensure there is nothing malicious, and looked through the task schedule to see if I could find what was triggering this... but I can't

Is this normal behavior? I've had the machine for a year and a quarter, and never noticed this before. Is this something new that is happening, and should I be worried

[Echo_Lake]

@cahwyguy

Thank you for posting on the HP Support Community.

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help, however, to provide an accurate resolution, I need a few more details:

• Did this happen after a recent window or software update?
• Have you made any hardware/software changes?

While you respond to that, let's try these steps: 

If a program or app stops responding or cannot be closed conventionally, close the app using Task Manager.

1. In Windows, search for and open Task Manager.

   If the Task Manager window opens with tabs across the top, click Fewer details in the lower left corner.

2. To close a program, select it, and click End task.

   

   The program closes. The program might restart.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[cahwyguy]

I can't think of a particular Windows update this happened after -- I've only noticed it after the "safer at home" started. I do notice the Diagnostics Program is (c) 2020, and I got my system in 2019 -- so it could be due to an update from HP that installed in the background. The only software I've installed recently on my machine has been Zoom and FreeConferenceCall, and Mozilla Thunderbird (which I've uninstalled).

As I said, it seems to start up multiple times per day, run for a minute or two, and go away. It doesn't pop up a window in the foreground, but it is a window that shows up when I do Alt-Tab. I cannot identify what is starting it either in the Startup tab through task manager, nor through Task Schedule, so my guess is it is being started by a service. I'm also guessing that the service used to run silently, and whatever the 2020 update was, it activated the user interface.

I don't seem to need to close the application, as it does go away on its own. But I'm a cybersecurity professional (working in the field for over 30 years), and so I notice changes in my systems -- and wonder why they are happening. This is new behavior: so what changed? As I noted, I've scanned my system with Avast!, Malwarebytes, and presumably Windows has used Defender, and nothing malicious was identified.

[Echo_Lake]

@cahwyguy

Thank you for posting back. 

I would request you to contact our Support and our Support Engineers should be able to Remote into your computer and sort this out. HP Support can be reached by clicking on the following link: www.hp.com/contacthp/

[cahwyguy]

(1) Does one need to be under warranty for said support? (I tend to be leery of folks "remoting in" ... I'm in cybersecurity, remember).

(2) Have you heard of this behavior before?

[Echo_Lake]

@cahwyguy

Thank you for posting back. 

With the standard one-year limited warranty, you will be covered for repair or replacement of parts deemed defective and other services such as remote support. IF your product reached end of warranty life then you might pay one time charges.