HP laptop hard disk test fail

[anneli01]

My HP Pavilion dv7 did not start Windows and I could not start it in the boot menu. I used F2 menu and performed hard disk test. It failed short DST. I got 0W7UWM-5B570Q-XD003A-60UP03. Product ID XZ031UA#ABA

Does this mean I need new HD? If yes, what kind is good for my computer and how do I get windows 7 back? Do I need to buy it again?

My laptop is 2 years old.

[DavidPK]

Hi,

The error code for the short Disk Self Test ( DST ) failure would indicate that the Hard Drive is failing and needs to be replaced.  This is also consistent with the start-up issue.

The drive on the link below is an example that would be fine for your notebook.

750Gb Hard Drive.

The procedure to replace the Hard Drive starts on Page 64 of your Maintenance & Service Guide.

Regarding reinstalling the operating system on the new drive, there are Two options available.

1.  You can order a replacement set of Recovery Discs using the link below - these will reinstall the operating system, all required drivers and nearly all of the original software ( the exception often being trials of MS Office ).  They will also re-create all the original partitions, including the Recovery Partition.

Order HP Recovery Discs.

2.  Another option you could consider is to create your own Windows 7 installation disc.

Before trying the following, make sure you can still read the 25 Character Product Activation key on your Windows COA label ( 5 blocks of 5 alpha/numeric sets ).

An example of a COA Label can be seen Here.

Also, if possible, back-up the swsetup folder that can be found at the root of your C drive.

You can create a Windows 7 installation disc yourself using another PC - just download the correct Disc Image ( this must be the same version that originally came with your notebook - this is listed as Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit ) from the link below and use an application such as ImgBurn ( Note:  You may wish to deselect the additional software offerings during the installation of ImgBurn ) to burn the ISO correctly to a blank DVD - a guide on using ImgBurn to write an ISO to a disc is Here.  The Windows Image source is Digital River.

Windows-7 sp1-iso-official-32-bit-and-64-bit

Use the disc to perform the installation, enter the Windows activation key found on the COA Label when requested and when the installation has completed, use the 'Phone Method' detailed in the link below to activate the OS - this method supported by Microsoft and is popular with people who just want a clean installation of Windows 7 without the additional software load normally bundled with OEM installations.

http://www.kodyaz.com/articles/how-to-activate-windows-7-by-phone.aspx

Additional drivers and software you may need can be found Here.

Best regards,

DP-K

[Huffer]

We need to know your model number or at least the series. DV7-6000, -7000? Yes, you need a new hard drive. You will not need to buy Windows 7 again. Your laptop has a license to install it as many times as needed. The Key Code is either on a label on the bottom or in the battery bay. Your laptop can actually take 2 hard drives and you may already have an extra one that is not bad. Here is a video on how to find the exact model number.

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00033108

Depending on your budget, this may be an opportunity to get a superfast solid state drive or at least upgrade to a faster, bigger regular hard drive.

Not knowing what you have, a good hard drive for just about anybody at a good price is this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2W014M8026

That is a 750 gig 7200 rpm drive for $80 which is a good deal and will likely provide better performance and storage than what you have.

This video shows you basically how to do the removal and replacement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6Qouyng8hQ

You can order a restore disk from HP or we can show you where to download a Windows 7 disk you can install and activate with your Key Code. We need to know the version of Windows 7 you have. Home Premium 64 bit?

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

[anneli01]

Thank you for the answer. Under my laptop is the sticker with the Windows key code. I also would like to get the Office Starter pack what came with computer but as I understand from your answer I can not get it free any more?

[anneli01]

Thank you for the answer. My laptop model # is dv7-4287cl and windows 7 is Home Prem OA.

What will be a good  fast hard drive to buy? 

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

You will be fine with the one David recommended or the one I recommended. Between my post and his you have all the information you could need. He gave you links to download a Windows install disk or order a recovery disk from HP. Read and digest it all and post back if you still have questions.

And we can help you find the Starter version of Office. It is free to use with Windows 7. Here is a link to download it:

Office Starter