I'm having a major issue with my Windows 11 laptop. After logging into my account, it blue screens about every 5-10 seconds. I can sometimes get a quick moment to attempt a Factory Data Reset, but then it blue screens again, forcing me to restart the process over and over. I even tried to do a Factory Reset from the Blue Screen Recovery Page, but it asks for a Recovery Key that I don't have any clue about. My friend thinks I might need a new hard drive, but considering the cost ranges from $40 to $400, I simply can't afford that right now, especially since I'm still looking for a job. I'm feeling really overwhelmed and could use some help here!
3 Answers
Honestly, I've found that factory resets can be a pain, especially if your hard drive is showing signs of failure. If you have any important files, just back those up first. A clean install of Windows could be more effective. Plus, you might be able to find a decent used hard drive for around $20-$50 if it comes down to needing to replace it.
What model is your laptop? Knowing this can help us search for the right parts or offers in your area. Also, could you share what country you're in? That might help us find more options for you.
It's an HP, and I'm in California.
Have you tried booting into Safe Mode? It might give you the time to access your files or at least start the reset without constant blue screens. If you can manage to get into Safe Mode, check the C:WindowsMinidump folder for any crash logs. Those files can help diagnose the blue screen issue more accurately, so if you find any, you can zip them and upload to a sharing site like catbox.moe.
Yeah, and if it's possible, look for a guide online on how to create a small memory dump instead, that will give more useful information.
True, you can grab used parts easily; eBay often has good deals. Don't get too discouraged!