Hard drive error 03F1 on startup

[Dergyll]

Hello guys

Yesterday me and my friends were watching a movie on my laptop via a projector and all of a sudden it freezes, I tried a few things (Im not completely tech-impaired =P) but couldnt unfreeze it so I had to jam the power button to shut it down and now whenever I restart it it gives me a Hard Drive Error screen before the windows 7 start screen (where the little colored balls dance and make the window logo). It tells me the error is number "03F1" and asks me to run diagnostic, but whenever I run it it gets stuck at 0 percent (I waited about 35 minutes, didnt move a single percent). After a few times I just ignored the message and exited out without running the diagnostic and my computer booted up fine...there doesnt seem to be any error.

So the HP harddrive diagnostic is out of the question, I proceeded to run a few other ones offered by windows, the online version of the hdd diagnostic, and the results were fine...nothing seems to be run with my harddrive and my computer performs without issue. However everytime I start I have to face that stupid screen and hit a few keys for my pc to start up (I tried the harddrive diagnostic in BIOs, it gets stuck at 00 as well for some reason).

Any ideas? I stumbled across this post on the internet which is almost exactly the same as mine, I would really like to get rid of this stupid screen if I don't have a hard drive failure...I mean my laptop is like only 1 year old.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

have a nice day
Derg

[Dergyll]

oops...i'd be nice if I actually put a link to the post =P here it is

http://forum.grasscity.com/silicon-v-alley/754213-hard-disk-error-3f1-help-please.html

[DavidPK]

Hi Derg,

The 03F1 error, as you probably realise, would indicate that the HDD does have a problem - the fact that the bios tests fail to run would also support this.  These tests aren't perfect, so it may be worth trying the process below to see if this will remove the start up error.

Click the Start Menu, click Computer, left click Local Disc C once to highlight it, right click Local Disc C and select Properties.  Click the Tools tab and then click the button to 'Check the Drive for Errors'.  In the following window make sure both boxes are ticked and then click Start.  Part of this process will require a restart to check the drive.

Regards,

DP-K

[Dergyll]

Hello

So I ran the windows disk check thing, but I left it there (it was running very slowly, because of my 1TB HDD perhaps?) and when I came back this morning it was done and it already restarted and at the "hard disk error" page previously mentioned. I have no idea if it detected an error and I was heading off to work so I just let it check the disk, worst comes to worst it'll sit at 00.

To my surprise when I came back from work, it tells me that the tests are complete (without giving me a result), when I tap the Esc button to get out of the screen it tells me my drive failed the tests and had "0305" and "0303" error, and I looked at a few places couldnt find what HP is trying to tell me. If my HDD failing? Man, thats pretty crappy for a laptop only 1year old...

What should I do now? 😃

[DavidPK]

Hi,

Sorry to give you the bad news, but both errors indicate the Hard Drive is failing ( 0303 is a failure of the short test, 0305 is a failure of the long test ).  One thing I would recommend before doing anything else is to back up all your Personal files etc as soon as you can - although a failing HDD is annoying, losing all your personal stuff could be a disaster.

If you need any further information, please let me know.

Regards,

DP-K

[Dergyll]

Hi, I just backedup all my things onto my removable...(this laptop is still fairly new in my opinion...I dont have many things on it)

What should I do now? Should I get another one from the HP parts store? I went ahead and had a look, but my DV7-4000 select does not show up under the pavilion DV7 drop-list for some reason...does that mean there is no longer support for this laptop? =(

Thanks for your support!

[DavidPK]

Hi,

You don't have to buy the drive through the HP Parts Store.

Could you post back with the Part No. from your service tag on the base of the notebook.

Did the 1Tb drive come with the notebook or did you upgrade to this?

Regards,

DP-K

[DavidPK · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Ignore my last post

The Hard Drive on the link below would be a good replacement.

1 Tb Hard Drive - notebook

The process to replace the Hard Drive is detailed starting on Page 48 of your Maintenance & Service Guide.

Once done, simply use your Recovery DVDs to reinstall the Operating System on the new drive.

If you don't have your Recovery Discs, try the link below to see if you can order a replacement.

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00810334

If you have any problem with the above link, order them directly from HP Here.

Regards,

DP-K

[Dergyll]

Hello

I just finished running (both the short and long) the BIOs harddrive test and I passed both of them. I have a Toshiba harddrive and my friend tells me that Toshibas have a tendency to fail miserably...

Is this the only option for me? How can I be sure this harddrive failed? I don't mean to wine but isn't replacing parts in a laptop a hassle? For one thing, a few months back I tried to open my laptop up from the bottom so I can clean it out with some compressed air but I can't seem to even remove the bottom plastic covering. I just want to be certain that this is indeed a hard drive failure before venturing to dish out money for a new one.

If only I knew what caused this...and why is it passing all the other tests I throw at it?

[DavidPK]

Hi,

From the symtoms you describe and the fact that the drive failed both the short and long bios test, you can be fairly certain that this is the problem.

Replacing the HDD on your notebook is suprisingly straight forward.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hard Drive on the link below would be a good replacement.

1 Tb Hard Drive - notebook

The process to replace the Hard Drive is detailed starting on Page 48 of your Maintenance & Service Guide.

Once done, simply use your Recovery DVDs to reinstall the Operating System on the new drive.

If you don't have your Recovery Discs, try the link below to see if you can order a replacement.

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00810334

If you have any problem with the above link, order them directly from HP Here.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regards,

DP-K