Laptop Not Working

[Josie10]

Hello, I bought a laptop a while ago for college, and it was working fine until recently (I'm on my second year) and I need help solving the issue. I don't understand it, but sometimes when I power it up, the screen stays black, and if it loads up, everytime I try to open a application on it, it doesn't open. It may open but slowly, and not show anything. I just can't access anything. This is really important because I need it for school. 

Thank you so much, 

Josie

[WAWood]

@Josie10 

The most common cause of a laptop running really slow, coupled with issues starting or loading applications, is a failing hard drive.

If your PC is new enough to support UEFI, you can use these steps to test the hard drive: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00439024

If not, you have to follow these steps:
1) Press Esc key repeatedly, several times a second, while rebooting the laptop. Do NOT hold the key down, just press it over and over.
2) Eventually, you will see an HP Startup Menu -- that will look similar to the image below ...

3) press the Function key for testing the hard drive (usually F2) and let it run.

Please report back the test results.

[Josie10]

There are several tests to choose from. It took the "Hard Drive Quick Test," and it says passed for both Hard Drives. I also took the "Quick System Test," and everything says passed as well.  

[WAWood]

@Josie10 

OK ... so if it's still under the original one-year warranty, then you should contact HP Customer Support directly to have them put you in touch with HP Technical Support to see what they can do about troubleshooting and repairing your machine remotely.

I did this recently and the HP Tech was able to remotely access my PC from the Internet to check out the problems.

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

[Josie10]

Thank you so  much, but actually all I had to do was reset my computer! How weird, but I managed to figure it out on my own. Again, thank you for your support anyway!

Josie10