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Well, My problem is I don't know if im going to need a new hard drive or not. I've tried a restore CD but they didn't work. It says it has something to do with not finding the D Drive which is where the recovery stuff is saved. Will I just have to buy a new Hard Drive or is there any way to fix this? I really cant afford to buy a new laptop, only a hard drive is nessecary. It makes a clicking noise when the CD Drive pops out but it did that even when it was working fine.

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Short checklist and next steps that fill out 's suggestions and make the likely outcomes clear for .

This usually means one of two things: the HP recovery partition (the hidden D: image) is missing/corrupt, or the physical hard drive is failing (or no longer detected by the BIOS). First-level checks: open the HP Startup Menu (press Esc at power-on), use F2 to run the built-in Hard Drive Quick/Extensive tests, and F11 to try System Recovery only if the recovery partition exists. If the HDD is not detected by the diagnostics, that points to hardware failure rather than just a bad recovery image. HP PC Hardware Diagnostics / testing info. . ()

If the diagnostics show the drive is present, identify the drive maker (look on the underside sticker, in BIOS, or in System Information) and run the vendor tool for a definitive test. For Seagate use SeaTools; for others use the manufacturer utility. If the laptop will not boot, remove the HDD, connect it to another PC with a SATA->USB adapter or enclosure, then check SMART and run tests (CrystalDiskInfo is a simple SMART viewer). These tests will show reallocated sectors, pending sectors, or other SMART failures that indicate replacement is needed. SeaTools guide. CrystalDiskInfo. (seagate.com)

If the drive is detected but the partition table or recovery files are corrupted, image the drive first (ddrescue or similar) and try partition/file recovery tools such as TestDisk from a live USB before replacing hardware. If SMART or manufacturer tests report mechanical faults, or the drive is not detected at all, replacement is the practical choice—avoid long write/erase procedures if recovery of files is the priority. TestDisk download/info. (cgsecurity.org)

Ordered quick plan: (1) Boot, press Esc → F2, run HDD tests and note any failure ID; (2) If tests pass, try F11 recovery or boot a live USB to back up files; (3) If tests fail or drive not detected, remove HDD and test on another PC (SMART + vendor tool); (4) If failed, replace with a 2.5" laptop HDD or SSD and reinstall using recovery media or Windows install media. Optical-drive clicking when the tray opens is usually unrelated; repetitive loud clicks from the HDD itself suggest imminent failure.

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Member Avatar for 4th&3wood

Would you please post the make and model of your computer. If you can find out what the manufacturer of you hard drive is you should be able to go to the manufacturer's web site and download their diagnostic tool. You will need to burn this to a CD and boot from it to test you hard drive. You may need change the boot order in the BIOS to set the CD-ROM as the first device in the boot order.

Can get into Safe Mode?

Member Avatar for Itaihoshi

Would you please post the make and model of your computer. If you can find out what the manufacturer of you hard drive is you should be able to go to the manufacturer's web site and download their diagnostic tool. You will need to burn this to a CD and boot from it to test you hard drive. You may need change the boot order in the BIOS to set the CD-ROM as the first device in the boot order.

Can get into Safe Mode?

All I know is its HP Compaq Presario 5000 series, my aunt bought it off a friend and she gave it to me, didnt have any original papers and anything with it.

Member Avatar for 4th&3wood

The model should be printed on the front of the computer.

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