HP laptop hard drive question

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › HP laptop hard drive question

1 | 2

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2783358 24-Sep-2021 09:50

Andib:
FYI, That SSD (the original white one) Looks very similar to the generic m-sata to sata adaptor case everywhere sells. Once you replace it, If you take it apart you'll likely find an M-sata ssd inside

Thanks, took it apart to get an idea.

I’ve ordered the SSD below.
Question: Will it have the necessary holes for screws? It will obviously fit in the slot, but is there some sort of a universal standard for screw hole positions?

Oblivian

7297 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2783375 24-Sep-2021 10:19

The original drive has a frame around it to secure into the casing once lined up and sild ->

As long as it is a the same thickness matching the old? the side mount holes are standard for that cage to attach to

You'll note we pointed out a couple of times to check the size. There are 7mm. And 9mm. A 9mm might not fit in the hole you intent to slot it into if it is a 7mm existing drive casing.

/edit it does appear the purchase is a 7mm

2.5 in × 7mm

They are made as a spinning drive upgrade. So the formfactors, holes, screws are all replicated.

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2783381 24-Sep-2021 10:28

Sorry, should have mentioned it.
So the original casing which fits in the laptop is 9mm. The drive itself within the casing is 7mm.
The drive I’ll buy states 7mm.

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2783525 24-Sep-2021 12:37

Very strange.
I decided to format the faulty HDD.

Inserted it and reinstalled Windows 10.

Looks like I might have saved myself the cost of a new SSD.
I’m a little bit worried as it originally came up with the boot error and Google told me that the hard drive was gone.
But I guess we can test it and do daily backups.

thenine

37 posts

Geek

#2783550 24-Sep-2021 13:01

Run a test using one or a couple of the many programs (DiskCheckup, CrystalDiskinfo) or even run an error check (right click drive>tools>error checking) in Windows in the first instance.

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2783594 24-Sep-2021 13:50

thenine:
Run a test using one or a couple of the many programs (DiskCheckup, CrystalDiskinfo) or even run an error check (right click drive>tools>error checking) in Windows in the first instance.

Thanks, no errors.
The plot thickens for the newbie that I am…

It lists two drives (different brands).
Why can I only see one physically in the machine?

Google tells me that the Samsung is an SSD and the other drive is an old fashioned spinning drive.

Oblivian

7297 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2783603 24-Sep-2021 14:14

Probably explains the aparent no OS found then if it tried to boot from a non formatted drive. Why wouldn't windows see it? If it's not formatted. Look in disk mangement

Or powershell. get-partition

Did you plug the model number in to partsurfer or HP like suggested? It will tell you the shipped hardware.

You can almost see from the image there appears to be multiple removal panels on that. The middle one near the RAM likely being the other.

Newer models the entire base lifts. On that, you can see dividers.

Without seeing wider images, They can come mounted into the DVD slot hole as an optional. Or under another panel or cage. Or under a keyboard. Or a USB drive you have plugged in?

Should really find all you can about the product before you chasing your tail like this :) There are even versions of it online showing there is a M.2 slot under the mid panel. THat is not to say that shipped with that motherboard. They use the same casings but fit things different per region/specs.

GoodSync

GoodSync. Easily back up and sync your files with GoodSync. Simple and secure file backup and synchronisation software will ensure that your files are never lost (affiliate link).

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2783696 24-Sep-2021 15:40

Oblivian:

Probably explains the aparent no OS found then if it tried to boot from a non formatted drive. Why wouldn't windows see it? If it's not formatted. Look in disk mangement

Or powershell. get-partition

Did you plug the model number in to partsurfer or HP like suggested? It will tell you the shipped hardware.

You can almost see from the image there appears to be multiple removal panels on that. The middle one near the RAM likely being the other.

Newer models the entire base lifts. On that, you can see dividers.

Without seeing wider images, They can come mounted into the DVD slot hole as an optional. Or under another panel or cage. Or under a keyboard. Or a USB drive you have plugged in?

Should really find all you can about the product before you chasing your tail like this :) There are even versions of it online showing there is a M.2 slot under the mid panel. THat is not to say that shipped with that motherboard. They use the same casings but fit things different per region/specs.

Yep, you're right. I should probably have understood it more, before just diving into the deep end...

I did run the model number in partsurfer. It originally came with a 750GB 7200RPI drive. But I did buy it 2nd hand from the old job that I had and I did have another HDD inserted, so makes sense, why it doesn't match the original specs.

I also had a look at a Youtube video showing how to access the other harddrive. Involves removing a lot more screws, top bit and keyboard. I haven't got the cojones to do this.

Good news is that the laptop is running.

I've manged to assign a letter to the 'invisible' HDD via diskpart.

I did notice a couple of errors in CrystalDiskInfo for the Toshiba 1GB (the drive that I physically can't see).

- Reallocated Sector Count

- Current Pending Sector Count

- Uncorrectable Sector Count

But I also ran an Error checking for the same drive and it was all good:

Your drive was successfully scanned. No errors were found.

Question:

In diskpart, when I choose list disk, it shows the following:

Disk 0, online, 238GB, 1024kb (free)

Disk 1, Online, 931GB, 931GB (free)

When I then choose list volume, it shows this:

Volume 0, letter C, NTFS, Partition, 237GB, Healthy, Boot

Volume 1, FAT32, Partition, 100MB, Healthy, System

Volume 2, letter E, NTFS, Partition, 508GB, Healthy, Hidden

Should Disk 0 = Volume 0?

And should Disk 1 = Volume 1 and 2?

(Volume 2 is also the one that I gave the letter E)

If so, why does it not add up to 931GB?

Apologies for all the questions, but just trying to learn.

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2783700 24-Sep-2021 15:46

Oblivian

7297 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2783715 24-Sep-2021 16:03

If you have done a reinstall of windows with 2 drives attached. It's anyones guess now what's not right.

Note the *. The selected disk is the 1Tb. Any commands you run are looking at that.

Volumes are partitions on the selected drive. The lettering isn't important.

select disk 0

list part

(and repeat for disk 1)

It's entirely possible the machine has boot files on 1 drive the BIOS looks for, the the OS on the other now. Or both have an OS. As the SSD is in GPT format. Which I would expect for a UEFI bios.

Or perhaps use the disk manager in 'manage' - a far better graphical representation than being confused by commandline.

/ninjaedit

yitz

2075 posts

Uber Geek

#2783717 24-Sep-2021 16:06

list volume will show logical volumes across all disks

list partition will show partitions on the currently selected disk.

Volumes are logical abstractions from partitions and can be across multiple partitions, disks etc.

My guess it that volumes 0, 1, 2 are all on the SSD and the HDD is not formatted (is it faulty?)

Assuming you have no data you want to keep and are not trying to apply an OEM factory image and doing a clean install from generic media just follow the steps to delete all current partitions in the Windows Setup wizard.

Oblivian

7297 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2783735 24-Sep-2021 16:31

Doh. Got me

Ironically I had typed list part rather than vol initially, but second guessed myself after re looking at the image.

Still in favour for using windows manager to double check. It'll soon say 'unallocated'

start - run - diskmgmt.msc

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2783913 24-Sep-2021 20:31

yitz:
list volume will show logical volumes across all disks

list partition will show partitions on the currently selected disk.

Volumes are logical abstractions from partitions and can be across multiple partitions, disks etc.

My guess it that volumes 0, 1, 2 are all on the SSD and the HDD is not formatted (is it faulty?)

Assuming you have no data you want to keep and are not trying to apply an OEM factory image and doing a clean install from generic media just follow the steps to delete all current partitions in the Windows Setup wizard.

I managed to format the 1TB drive in Disk Management. Letter assigned and space available is nearly 1TB, so it’s all good!
Thanks all for your assistance (and patience).

1 | 2