HP Spectre x360 15- hard drive problem

Dippypud

HereToday said:

Deleted_User said:

Dippypud said:

HereToday said:

There is a suggestion that replacing the cable connector may solve the issue: 

HP SSD BD Cable - 941842-001

Your model may need a different cable.

Here is someone else's experience:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAlJUdYjk3Y

Ok, will go forward with that ...
More info, if that is of any help, 
Capslock light (white), blinks 5 slow, 3 fast sequence, which I assume is a fault code of some sort ...

Thanks for all the helpful input so far guys and gals ...

Hello Dippypud,

Before you buy some random cable recommended by @HereToday just pause for a moment. Only the earlier HP Spectre models use a connector cable to the SSD connector board so probably not relevant - I can't find anything saying the X360 used one.

1. What is the exact model of the laptop - find the label similar to below on the laptop - this will help determine whether it was SATA only or PCIe NVMe SSD compatible? (And whether it uses SSD connector cable although no evidence so far that is the problem)



2. What is the exact model of your SSD you bought - some of the early HP Spectre x360's used an M.2 SATA drive only and won't be compatible with an M.2 PCIe NVMe? Eg model HP Spectre 15-ap005na x360 is SATA only.

3. What is the exact model of the SSD you removed?

4. Did the 5 flashes on caps lock only start happening AFTER installing the new SSD or was it doing it on the old SSD? 

5. What made you think the old SSD was failing?

All the above info will go a long way to solving this issue otherwise it is just guesswork.

EDIT: The 5.3 error code on the caps lock sounds serious, the suggestion is remove all accessory devices - sounds like the BIOS could be toast. Really need to know whether it was doing it before the new SSD was fitted. If it was, there are a couple of things that can be done attempt to reset the NVRAM to see if that works and maybe emergency flash utility that I'd need to look into.

I didn't recommend a cable. I simply suggested that one person fixed their issue with a new cable and another fixed it by reseating the storage drive.
Try to cool your ardour. Not necessary here. I guessed that the OP changed the drive with good reason; but let's wait to see the replies to your questions.

If you couldn't find anything about a cable for the Spectre x360 then you didn't look hard enough: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/SSD-ribbon-cable-for-HP-Spectre-x360-15/td-p/7837818

Either way, better to have two pairs of eyes on the problem. 

Thanks guys for thinking about this problem ....
Firstly, the laptop was bought second-hand and the original owner kept the HDD for data privacy reasons. 
HP Spectre x360 Convertible 15-bl000na , Product Code: Z6K96EA#ABU
Flashes on CapsLock occurred both after drive installation and without a drive in it.
No cables have been bought yet, as RL got in the way as it does.
Regards Dips

Dippypud

HereToday said:

[Deleted User] said:

HereToday said:

Try to cool your ardour. Not necessary here. I guessed that the OP changed the drive with good reason; but let's wait to see the replies to your questions.

Sorry - didn't mean it that way, just didn't want the OP buying random components after they posted that they'd try the cable next. I looked at a lot of teardowns of the x360 and just saw an M.2 plugged direct into the m/board.

I certainly didn't intend for them to run out to buy a random cable. Especially when they aren't cheap. But to investigate further.
A lot of people having boot up issues thinking it's the storage drive; but it wasn't. If it's an inherent fault then HP should fix it. Though one can only imagine the run-around.
Concerned that the OP has disappeared. Goodness knows what they are doing in the meantime.
Perhaps can take a look at the DELL too. BSOD might just be simply a RAM or Driver issue

The Dell has a driver issue that it refuses to let me fix ... tried reloading driver and it just reverts to the one that BSoDs whenever it feels like it ....

HereToday

Dippypud said:

HereToday said:

Deleted_User said:

HereToday said:

Try to cool your ardour. Not necessary here. I guessed that the OP changed the drive with good reason; but let's wait to see the replies to your questions.

Sorry - didn't mean it that way, just didn't want the OP buying random components after they posted that they'd try the cable next. I looked at a lot of teardowns of the x360 and just saw an M.2 plugged direct into the m/board.

I certainly didn't intend for them to run out to buy a random cable. Especially when they aren't cheap. But to investigate further.
A lot of people having boot up issues thinking it's the storage drive; but it wasn't. If it's an inherent fault then HP should fix it. Though one can only imagine the run-around.
Concerned that the OP has disappeared. Goodness knows what they are doing in the meantime.
Perhaps can take a look at the DELL too. BSOD might just be simply a RAM or Driver issue

The Dell has a driver issue that it refuses to let me fix ... tried reloading driver and it just reverts to the one that BSoDs whenever it feels like it ....

You can fix that by not allowing Windows 10 to install it's own Driver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B5tsHSbXe8

Don't neglect to remove the Driver that Windows installed beforehand via the Device Manager.

HereToday

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05357610

You did not reply to all of tallmansix's questions.

Dippypud

HereToday said:

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05357610

You did not reply to all of tallmansix's questions.

Forgive me, it had been another long day, what did I miss ?...

Dippypud

please ? Anyone ?

HereToday

Questions are still there in post #8. Just eliminate the ones to which you have already replied.

[Deleted User]

Dippypud said:

please ? Anyone ?

Just re-read to re-cap on everything and this is what I understand:
1. Bought a laptop without a hard drive (seller retained for data privacy)
2. Laptop doesn't start up - gives firmware error code 5.3 before and after the hard disk was installed

My additional questions were because I had a hunch the wrong type of hard drive was installed (SATA vs NVME) but given what you said afterwards, the laptop was having the problem before the new hard drive was installed so I may be wrong. Then you said the buyer kept the original hard drive so as far as I understand it has never successfully booted since you bought it?

Is it an option to take it up with the buyer if it has never worked since purchasing it?

The error code from the firmware on power up sounded pretty serious and I recommended as per the HP website to remove all accessories and see if it persists.

Have a look at this link below with some further suggestions from HP forums:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Boot-and-Lockup/Blink-Code-5-3-on-15-ch008ca/td-p/7065128

Following that the next suggestion is to hard reset the NVRAM - for this I would remove the both the main battery and the CMOS backup battery (sometimes called RTC battery, usually a coin cell but not always). Once the NVRAM battery and the main battery have both been disconnected do the residual battery discharge procedure i.e. hold Power button for at least 30 seconds to hopefully restore the BIOS to default values - also I'd be tempted to replace the coin cell NVRAM backup battery anyway.

Dippypud

[Deleted User] said:

Dippypud said:

please ? Anyone ?

Just re-read to re-cap on everything and this is what I understand:
1. Bought a laptop without a hard drive (seller retained for data privacy)
2. Laptop doesn't start up - gives firmware error code 5.3 before and after the hard disk was installed

My additional questions were because I had a hunch the wrong type of hard drive was installed (SATA vs NVME) but given what you said afterwards, the laptop was having the problem before the new hard drive was installed so I may be wrong. Then you said the buyer kept the original hard drive so as far as I understand it has never successfully booted since you bought it?

Is it an option to take it up with the buyer if it has never worked since purchasing it?

The error code from the firmware on power up sounded pretty serious and I recommended as per the HP website to remove all accessories and see if it persists.

Have a look at this link below with some further suggestions from HP forums:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Boot-and-Lockup/Blink-Code-5-3-on-15-ch008ca/td-p/7065128

Following that the next suggestion is to hard reset the NVRAM - for this I would remove the both the main battery and the CMOS backup battery (sometimes called RTC battery, usually a coin cell but not always). Once the NVRAM battery and the main battery have both been disconnected do the residual battery discharge procedure i.e. hold Power button for at least 30 seconds to hopefully restore the BIOS to default values - also I'd be tempted to replace the coin cell NVRAM backup battery anyway.

Thank you, I have since purchased the original HDD from the owner and the same fault persists, so will follow the HP forum suggestions, and report back with outcomes...
Thanks again.

ann_droid

Hi

Try.......

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-elitebook-x360-1030-g2-notebook-pc/14169372/manuals
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02876562.pdf

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05386794.pdf


(8) Solid-state drive:
512-GB Turbo Drive G2 solid-state drive with TLC 917926-001
256-GB Turbo Drive G2 solid-state drive with TLC 917925-001
256-GB M.2 SATA SED solid-state drive with Opal2 and TLC 917924-001
128-GB M.2 SATA-3 solid-state drive 917923-001

There is no cable, the HDD is a solid state drive and pushes in and secured/retained by ""Remove the Phillips PM2.0×2.4 screw (1) that secures the solid-state drive to the system board. (The solid-state drive tilts up.)""

If in doubt please ask.