Jump to content

Imminent Drive Failure Warning

AverageHardware
By AverageHardware
in Troubleshooting
 Share
Go to solution Solved by Baking Soda,

So you're saying that I can just install a new drive, find an ISO and make it bootable, and Windows 8 will install and activate itself? Would it still be a good idea to install belarc advisor and grab the key?

For good measure, yes. 

Before Windows 8, manufactures used sticker serial keys and placed them somewhere on the machine. Often times these stickers will rub off, and people will have to buy another licence in the event of a dead hard drive. Now with Windows 8 and UEFI magic, those serial keys are tied to the motherboard. Windows 8 installer should pick it up and install without a problem. 

Posted

Hello,

 

I have an HP-2000 notebook, and it ships factory with Windows 8. As I was updating to Windows 8.1, it froze during the download so I had to force shutdown. When I turned it back on, a warning saying something to the effect of "Smart HDD Failure Imminent Hard Drive 301". It boots into Windows, and I can log in, but if I try to do anything after that, it freezes. This computer is refurbished, and I can't seem to find any Windows 8 activation key anywhere on the laptop. I also haven't created any sort of recovery media. At this point, I'm pretty certain that the drive needs to be replaced, and that isn't a problem. I'm concerned with the re installation of Windows.

 

Is there any way that I can reinstall without having recovery media?

Can I download an ISO somewhere, and boot to it, and somehow get it activated?

i7 4790k | GTX 970 | 16GB

That's all you need to know. It's a beast.

 

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/242368-imminent-drive-failure-warning/
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Just download the ISO to a USB drive, format the drive, then reinstall windows and see if you still get the "imminent failure" warning.

If you do, you should buy a new drive.

If you dont, you will probably have to buy a new windows key if you cannot do anything within the OS (which you need to do to find the product key)

NEW PC build: Blank Heaven   minimalist white and black PC     Old S340 build log "White Heaven"        The "LIGHTCANON" flashlight build log        Project AntiRoll (prototype)        Custom speaker project

Spoiler

Ryzen 3950X | AMD Vega Frontier Edition | ASUS X570 Pro WS | Corsair Vengeance LPX 64GB | NZXT H500 | Seasonic Prime Fanless TX-700 | Custom loop | Coolermaster SK630 White | Logitech MX Master 2S | Samsung 980 Pro 1TB + 970 Pro 512GB | Samsung 58" 4k TV | Scarlett 2i4 | 2x AT2020

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Little update,

 

I was able to get past the metro screen and into Windows. It's on it's last legs, but the drive is holding on. I got into the HP recovery creator and it blue screened when burning the first disk >.>

i7 4790k | GTX 970 | 16GB

That's all you need to know. It's a beast.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Download Belarc Advisor as fast as facking possible and take a screenshot of the browser result as fast as facking possible. Things gonna die soon and you need your key.

Click download in red letters just below the header.

My account is almost entirely dormant. Hope you all are having a grand time. Many years of fun were had here.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Windows 8 machines have the licence key built into the BIOS for OEMs. Replace the drive, install Windows from a disk or USB. Then try salvaging any personal data from the old one. 

Deciding what to put in my sig is too much of a task for me. 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

So you're saying that I can just install a new drive, find an ISO and make it bootable, and Windows 8 will install and activate itself? Would it still be a good idea to install belarc advisor and grab the key?

i7 4790k | GTX 970 | 16GB

That's all you need to know. It's a beast.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Solution

So you're saying that I can just install a new drive, find an ISO and make it bootable, and Windows 8 will install and activate itself? Would it still be a good idea to install belarc advisor and grab the key?

For good measure, yes. 

Before Windows 8, manufactures used sticker serial keys and placed them somewhere on the machine. Often times these stickers will rub off, and people will have to buy another licence in the event of a dead hard drive. Now with Windows 8 and UEFI magic, those serial keys are tied to the motherboard. Windows 8 installer should pick it up and install without a problem. 

Deciding what to put in my sig is too much of a task for me. 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Alright! Thanks! Really appreciate your help! I just loaded up CrystalDiskInfo and the reallocated sectors count is over 15,000. I just backed my whole user account to an external HDD, so I should be fine after I get a new drive.

i7 4790k | GTX 970 | 16GB

That's all you need to know. It's a beast.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Ok, glad to hear the problem is solved! 

So that we don't have old threads occupying the Troubleshooting subforum, can you please marked the answer that helped you "Solved?"

Thanks and have a nice Halloween!

My account is almost entirely dormant. Hope you all are having a grand time. Many years of fun were had here.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Troubleshooting

×