I've got a HP iq524, it starts to boot up normally, but it freezes at the hp logo screen every time. I took out the battery but it didn't work. can u please help me ?

hi Zajo, before you turn on the computer, press and hold the F8 key to be prompted with the safe mode boot options, then boot in "last known good configuration" or safe mode. let us know if this works for you. goodluck

Hi. thanks for your help, but it didn't work. I still get the same screen and it doesn't respond to any key

hi Zajo,
this type of problem requires us to do somewhat of a trial-and-error deductive troubleshooting.

1. check hard disk (and file system) that contains your windows drive
2. check RAM


===========

Check the hard disk:

If you have second computer that you can use to attach the faulty computer's hard drive (using an enclosure OR by plugging it into an available ide/sata port). With the hard disk from the faulty computer connected to a working windows computer, perform a check disk on that drive. If there are any file/sysutem errors on that drive, it can be fixed and it should boot after.

============

Check the RAM

with the hard disk out of the faulty computer, check the RAM using "Memtest 86+" (you can use a floppy or CD that has Memtest 86+").

in detail:

1. determine if your computer has only 1 stick of RAM, or 2 sticks of RAM
2.1. if computer has only 1 stick of ram, then proceed to use Memtest 86+ to check your ram

2.2 if computer has two sticks of ram, then detach 1 stick and test with Memtest 86+ using only that single stick of ram. After passing memtest 86+ for at least "pass 4", test with the other stick of ram.


***these are my quick advice on how you can test this problem. post here if you have any questions about the said procedure or program (like Memtest 86+) goodluck

I've got a question about attaching the disc. is there any way i can do it with a laptop ? or do I have to find someone with a PC ?

hi Zajo

i did a bit of research on your computer

This is main support page of HP for your computer (i suggest you keep this bookmarked)
HP TouchSmart IQ524 Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (Canada - English)

This page is for adding and replacing RAM
Adding or Replacing Memory HP TouchSmart IQ524 Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (Canada - English)

This page is for replacing the hard disk
Replacing the Hard Drive HP TouchSmart IQ524 Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (Canada - English)

Per my research on your desktop model, it should be using a sata hard drive


If you have a working desktop that can accommodate attaching the sata hard drive, then that would be the easiest thing to do.

If you are limited to using only a laptop, then you need to purchase a "hard disk sata 3.5 enclosure" that will connect your sata hard disk to a usb cable that will plug into your laptop

this is one of the cheaper priced 3.5 sata enclosures that are availabe:
Sabrent Black 3.5 SATA to eSATA Aluminum Hard Drive Enclosure at TigerDirect.com



you can check other brands, they might to as high as $40. theres not much of a difference in features, all sata 3.5 hard disk enclosures basically connect your sata hard drive to its enclosure that has a usb port. that usb port is then to be connected to your laptop. once connected, your laptop detects the hard disk as another "removable storage" device.

the drive will show in the "my computer" screen. from there you can right-click on it and then do a check disk and fix for any errors that it might find.

**when you're able to attach the hard disk to another desktop computer OR able to connect it to your laptop via enclosure, do backup your important files.

i hope this helps, feel free to post your updates on this

I attached the disc and when I tried to start up the computer all I got were some red stripes on the screen. at least I know that it's the hard drive, not the mobo. is there any way I can save some data ?

hi Zajo, i suggest you connect the hard disk as a slave drive so the desktop does not try to boot from it and it just shows as another hard drive in "my computer".

when you connect the hard disk to an enclosure and then connect the usb cable to a working computer, it should detect a removable drive, see if you can browse the hard drive from there and copy the files to the working desktop.

Hello. sory for my late posting but I don't have much free time to do things you recommend me. anyway, when I connect it as a slave the pc don't want to boot. I've tried many times and with many configurations but still nothing happened.

hi Zajo, I know it feels bad that your hard drive has become such a pain. if you are plugging the problem hard drive as a slave to a working computer and it causes the computer to not boot at all, then its likely that the hard drive itself is causing the non-boot issue.

its possible that the hard drive's circuit board is damaged - causing a short circuit of some sort and preventing the motherboard from booting. I recommend you disconnect this hard drive, and lets look into possible options:

1.If your computer still has warranty, check and contact HP for possible options of computer check-up and repair-replacement. They might ask you to bring the computer to a service center.

If they would diagnose the hard drive to be the problem, ask for recovery options – assume that data recovery will come at a price But usually, data recovery services will give you a deal “no recovery = no payment”


2. If your computer no longer has warranty from HP, remember that the hard drive might still have a valid warranty to its manufacturer. Check the brand, model, serial and product number of your hard drive. Hard drive manufacturers themselves offer data recovery services.

3. Also, you may want to try third party data recovery services

4. One last option for recovery is a diy approach!
Success is not guaranteed, and I personally have never tried this.

Supposedly, if the disk inside the drive is still intact and not damaged, its possible that something in the circuit board is damaged. This can be fixed by replacing the circuit board with an exact circuit board model and firmware number



Notice that the Seagate drive in the picture.
If you are to try purchasing a drive, the circuit board details should be the same model number, and same firmware number

This website supposedly sells hard drive and hard drive circuit boards of different model number and firmware numbers. HDD PCB, Hard Drive PCB For Data Recovery Needs! - HDDZone.com

An article in TomsHardware.com says replacing circuit boards is also one of the data recovery solutions done by hard drive manufacturers and third party providers. Supposedly, its not 100% safe to simply open a hard drive and replace the circuit board – as dust and other particles might get inside and interfere with the drive.

Goodluck on this, and let us know when you’ve got the data recovered / circuit board replaced.