The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support. Use something like DBAN to wipe the old drive once you backup the data and move everything over and you'll be good, but it can take a minute unless you opt for a more quick erase method.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [guide|155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD-equipped 8X5 model) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this were my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s in the G9/G10 trim (12th gen Intel/Ryzen 5000 on G9, 13th gen Intel/Ryzen 6000 on G10). These are slightly less capable 800 series machines but have built-in Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines). Buy the G9 right, and it can generally be bought for $200-250 (16GB/256GB SSD) as a base, $250-300 with 16GB/512GB SSD. At that point, installing a a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both. GRANTED, I can buy such a machine at a nice discount with negotiation and nonsense snafus like getting a base 256GB SSD+16GB, then install Win10 and upgrade it later to 11.
-
The only other "real" potential loss is the 600 machines lack of internet-based SureRecover (that said, it works and is present on my 640 G9; but that was not always a thing). My 640 has the HP Wolf Security endpoint security software option, as it's not always there on the 600 series unless it's specially ordered (no, losing Wolf Security isn't a thing I'd worry about because it's enterprise endpoint security that serves little use in the hands of a private owner, but it does allow for local rules that improve it a bit when you have it). If the machine cannot do internet based SureRecover for whatever reason, 32GB USB drives exist. For $200-300 with a semi-mediocre stock config (256GB SSD/8-16GB RAM) I can fix that with 32GB of RAM and a Samsung NVMe SSD.I'd take the lesser 600 at that point myself, BUT the 800 is equally as good, and they all seem to come with Wolf Security.
+
The only other "real" potential loss is the 600 machines POTENTIALLY not getting the internet-based SureRecover option. It works on my G9, but in the past, the feature was only found on the 800 series. The other potential "loss" is HP Wolf Security - again, my 640 has the option but it's less common on the 600 series vs 800 series as it's a BTO option or part of the purchase price with the same length as the warranty. 32GB USB drives are a thing, so I wouldn't cry over this being a potential omission -- but know it's 100% not present on the ProBook line.
+
[quote|format=featured]
+
***I wouldn't worry about the Wolf Security software because it's enterprise endpoint security SW that means nothing to me and you on the outside. The machines get decommissioned and are no longer managed, and if the sysadmin is smart, they get blocked from accessing the internal corporate network. If it works, it may or may not be useful—YMMV.***
+
+
[/quote]
[quote|format=featured]
***The reason I can LEGALLY downgrade an 11 Pro Machine to a 10 Pro is downgrade rights -- I've used it before to deal with Vista Business on the Dell D and E series because those things mostly shipped with XP, but some have a Vista license (and we all know how bad Vista is).***
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support. Use something like DBAN to wipe the old drive once you backup the data and move everything over and you'll be good, but it can take a minute unless you opt for a more quick erase method.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [guide|155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
-
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD-equipped 8X5 model) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s in the G9 trim (12th gen Intel/Ryzen 5000) (slightly less capable 800 series, but have built-in Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
+
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD-equipped 8X5 model) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this were my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s in the G9/G10 trim (12th gen Intel/Ryzen 5000 on G9, 13th gen Intel/Ryzen 6000 on G10). These are slightly less capable 800 series machines but have built-in Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines). Buy the G9 right, and it can generally be bought for $200-250 (16GB/256GB SSD) as a base, $250-300 with 16GB/512GB SSD. At that point, installing a a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both. GRANTED, I can buy such a machine at a nice discount with negotiation and nonsense snafus like getting a base 256GB SSD+16GB, then install Win10 and upgrade it later to 11.
The only other "real" potential loss is the 600 machines lack of internet-based SureRecover (that said, it works and is present on my 640 G9; but that was not always a thing). My 640 has the HP Wolf Security endpoint security software option, as it's not always there on the 600 series unless it's specially ordered (no, losing Wolf Security isn't a thing I'd worry about because it's enterprise endpoint security that serves little use in the hands of a private owner, but it does allow for local rules that improve it a bit when you have it). If the machine cannot do internet based SureRecover for whatever reason, 32GB USB drives exist. For $200-300 with a semi-mediocre stock config (256GB SSD/8-16GB RAM) I can fix that with 32GB of RAM and a Samsung NVMe SSD. I'd take the lesser 600 at that point myself, BUT the 800 is equally as good, and they all seem to come with Wolf Security.
[quote|format=featured]
***The reason I can LEGALLY downgrade an 11 Pro Machine to a 10 Pro is downgrade rights -- I've used it before to deal with Vista Business on the Dell D and E series because those things mostly shipped with XP, but some have a Vista license (and we all know how bad Vista is).***
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support. Use something like DBAN to wipe the old drive once you backup the data and move everything over and you'll be good, but it can take a minute unless you opt for a more quick erase method.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [guide|155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD-equipped 8X5 model) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s in the G9 trim (12th gen Intel/Ryzen 5000) (slightly less capable 800 series, but have built-in Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
-
The only other "real" potential loss is the 600 machines lack of internet-based SureRecover. My 640 has the HP Wolf Security endpoint security software option, as it's not always there on the 600 series unless it's specially ordered (no, losing Wolf Security isn't a thing I'd worry about because it's enterprise endpoint security that serves little use in the hands of a private owner, but it does allow for local rules that improve it a bit when you have it). If the machine cannot do internet based SureRecover for whatever reason, 32GB USB drives exist. For $200-300 with a semi-mediocre stock config (256GB SSD/8-16GB RAM) I can fix that with 32GB of RAM and a Samsung NVMe SSD. I'd take the lesser 600 at that point myself, BUT the 800 is equally as good, and they all seem to come with Wolf Security.
+
The only other "real" potential loss is the 600 machines lack of internet-based SureRecover (that said, it works and is present on my 640 G9; but that was not always a thing). My 640 has the HP Wolf Security endpoint security software option, as it's not always there on the 600 series unless it's specially ordered (no, losing Wolf Security isn't a thing I'd worry about because it's enterprise endpoint security that serves little use in the hands of a private owner, but it does allow for local rules that improve it a bit when you have it). If the machine cannot do internet based SureRecover for whatever reason, 32GB USB drives exist. For $200-300 with a semi-mediocre stock config (256GB SSD/8-16GB RAM) I can fix that with 32GB of RAM and a Samsung NVMe SSD. I'd take the lesser 600 at that point myself, BUT the 800 is equally as good, and they all seem to come with Wolf Security.
[quote|format=featured]
***The reason I can LEGALLY downgrade an 11 Pro Machine to a 10 Pro is downgrade rights -- I've used it before to deal with Vista Business on the Dell D and E series because those things mostly shipped with XP, but some have a Vista license (and we all know how bad Vista is).***
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support. Use something like DBAN to wipe the old drive once you backup the data and move everything over and you'll be good, but it can take a minute unless you opt for a more quick erase method.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [guide|155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD-equipped 8X5 model) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s in the G9 trim (12th gen Intel/Ryzen 5000) (slightly less capable 800 series, but have built-in Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
-
The only other "real" potential loss is the 600 machines lack of internet-based SureRecover. My 640 has the HP Wolf Security endpoint security software option, as it's not always there on the 600 series unless it's specially ordered (no, losing Wolf Security isn't a thing I'd worry about because it's enterprise endpoint security that serves little use in the hands of a private owner). If the machine cannot do internet based SureRecover for whatever reason, 32GB USB drives exist. For $200-300 with a semi-mediocre stock config (256GB SSD/8-16GB RAM) I can fix that with 32GB of RAM and a Samsung NVMe SSD. I'd take the lesser 600 at that point myself, BUT the 800 is equally as good, and they all seem to come with Wolf Security.
-
-
, that's a tolerable tradeoff.
+
The only other "real" potential loss is the 600 machines lack of internet-based SureRecover. My 640 has the HP Wolf Security endpoint security software option, as it's not always there on the 600 series unless it's specially ordered (no, losing Wolf Security isn't a thing I'd worry about because it's enterprise endpoint security that serves little use in the hands of a private owner, but it does allow for local rules that improve it a bit when you have it). If the machine cannot do internet based SureRecover for whatever reason, 32GB USB drives exist. For $200-300 with a semi-mediocre stock config (256GB SSD/8-16GB RAM) I can fix that with 32GB of RAM and a Samsung NVMe SSD. I'd take the lesser 600 at that point myself, BUT the 800 is equally as good, and they all seem to come with Wolf Security.
[quote|format=featured]
***The reason I can LEGALLY downgrade an 11 Pro Machine to a 10 Pro is downgrade rights -- I've used it before to deal with Vista Business on the Dell D and E series because those things mostly shipped with XP, but some have a Vista license (and we all know how bad Vista is).***
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support. Use something like DBAN to wipe the old drive once you backup the data and move everything over and you'll be good, but it can take a minute unless you opt for a more quick erase method.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [guide|155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD-equipped 8X5 model) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s in the G9 trim (12th gen Intel/Ryzen 5000) (slightly less capable 800 series, but have built-in Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
-
The only other "real" loss is the 600 machines lack internet based SureRecover and MAYBE Wolf Security (and no, losing Wolf Security isn't a thing I'd worry about because it's enterprise endpoint security that serves little use in the hands of a private owner), but USB drives exist -- for sub $200 with a semi mediocre stock config I can fix with 32GB and a Samsung NVMe SSD, that's a tolerable tradeoff.
+
The only other "real" potential loss is the 600 machines lack of internet-based SureRecover. My 640 has the HP Wolf Security endpoint security software option, as it's not always there on the 600 series unless it's specially ordered (no, losing Wolf Security isn't a thing I'd worry about because it's enterprise endpoint security that serves little use in the hands of a private owner). If the machine cannot do internet based SureRecover for whatever reason, 32GB USB drives exist. For $200-300 with a semi-mediocre stock config (256GB SSD/8-16GB RAM) I can fix that with 32GB of RAM and a Samsung NVMe SSD. I'd take the lesser 600 at that point myself, BUT the 800 is equally as good, and they all seem to come with Wolf Security.
+
+
, that's a tolerable tradeoff.
[quote|format=featured]
***The reason I can LEGALLY downgrade an 11 Pro Machine to a 10 Pro is downgrade rights -- I've used it before to deal with Vista Business on the Dell D and E series because those things mostly shipped with XP, but some have a Vista license (and we all know how bad Vista is).***
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
+
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support. Use something like DBAN to wipe the old drive once you backup the data and move everything over and you'll be good, but it can take a minute unless you opt for a more quick erase method.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [guide|155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD-equipped 8X5 model) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s in the G9 trim (12th gen Intel/Ryzen 5000) (slightly less capable 800 series, but have built-in Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
The only other "real" loss is the 600 machines lack internet based SureRecover and MAYBE Wolf Security (and no, losing Wolf Security isn't a thing I'd worry about because it's enterprise endpoint security that serves little use in the hands of a private owner), but USB drives exist -- for sub $200 with a semi mediocre stock config I can fix with 32GB and a Samsung NVMe SSD, that's a tolerable tradeoff.
[quote|format=featured]
***The reason I can LEGALLY downgrade an 11 Pro Machine to a 10 Pro is downgrade rights -- I've used it before to deal with Vista Business on the Dell D and E series because those things mostly shipped with XP, but some have a Vista license (and we all know how bad Vista is).***
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [guide|155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD-equipped 8X5 model) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s in the G9 trim (12th gen Intel/Ryzen 5000) (slightly less capable 800 series, but have built-in Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
-
The only other "real" loss is the 600 machines lack internet recovery, but USB drives exist -- for sub $200 with a semi mediocre stock config I can fix with 32GB and a Samsung NVMe SSD, that's a tolerable tradeoff.
+
The only other "real" loss is the 600 machines lack internet based SureRecover and MAYBE Wolf Security (and no, losing Wolf Security isn't a thing I'd worry about because it's enterprise endpoint security that serves little use in the hands of a private owner), but USB drives exist -- for sub $200 with a semi mediocre stock config I can fix with 32GB and a Samsung NVMe SSD, that's a tolerable tradeoff.
[quote|format=featured]
***The reason I can LEGALLY downgrade an 11 Pro Machine to a 10 Pro is downgrade rights -- I've used it before to deal with Vista Business on the Dell D and E series because those things mostly shipped with XP, but some have a Vista license (and we all know how bad Vista is).***
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [guide|155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD-equipped 8X5 model) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s in the G9 trim (12th gen Intel/Ryzen 5000) (slightly less capable 800 series, but have built-in Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
+
+
The only other "real" loss is the 600 machines lack internet recovery, but USB drives exist -- for sub $200 with a semi mediocre stock config I can fix with 32GB and a Samsung NVMe SSD, that's a tolerable tradeoff.
[quote|format=featured]
***The reason I can LEGALLY downgrade an 11 Pro Machine to a 10 Pro is downgrade rights -- I've used it before to deal with Vista Business on the Dell D and E series because those things mostly shipped with XP, but some have a Vista license (and we all know how bad Vista is).***
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [guide|155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
-
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD-equipped 8X5 model) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s (slightly less capable 800 series, but have Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
+
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD-equipped 8X5 model) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s in the G9 trim (12th gen Intel/Ryzen 5000) (slightly less capable 800 series, but have built-in Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
[quote|format=featured]
***The reason I can LEGALLY downgrade an 11 Pro Machine to a 10 Pro is downgrade rights -- I've used it before to deal with Vista Business on the Dell D and E series because those things mostly shipped with XP, but some have a Vista license (and we all know how bad Vista is).***
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [guide|155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
-
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s (slightly less capable 800 series, but have Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
+
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD-equipped 8X5 model) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s (slightly less capable 800 series, but have Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
[quote|format=featured]
***The reason I can LEGALLY downgrade an 11 Pro Machine to a 10 Pro is downgrade rights -- I've used it before to deal with Vista Business on the Dell D and E series because those things mostly shipped with XP, but some have a Vista license (and we all know how bad Vista is).***
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [guide|155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
-
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s (slightly less capable 800 series, but have Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
+
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 that just left warranty with an 11th or 12th gen motherboard (or an equivalent AMD-based 845), throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s (slightly less capable 800 series, but have Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
[quote|format=featured]
***The reason I can LEGALLY downgrade an 11 Pro Machine to a 10 Pro is downgrade rights -- I've used it before to deal with Vista Business on the Dell D and E series because those things mostly shipped with XP, but some have a Vista license (and we all know how bad Vista is).***
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
-
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/HP+EliteBook+8470p+Hard+Drive+Replacement/155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
+
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [guide|155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s (slightly less capable 800 series, but have Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
+
+
[quote|format=featured]
+
***The reason I can LEGALLY downgrade an 11 Pro Machine to a 10 Pro is downgrade rights -- I've used it before to deal with Vista Business on the Dell D and E series because those things mostly shipped with XP, but some have a Vista license (and we all know how bad Vista is).***
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
-
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years.
+
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/HP+EliteBook+8470p+Hard+Drive+Replacement/155552|This guide covers how to replace the drive].
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s (slightly less capable 800 series, but have Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years.
-
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s (slightly less capable 800 series) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
+
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s (slightly less capable 800 series, but have Ethernet - HP dropped it on the 800 after the 8th gen 800 machines) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years.
-
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop, get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s (slightly less capable 800 series) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
+
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and let it live out it's final days on Linux, get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s (slightly less capable 800 series) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years.
-
Doesn't have to be brand new, a nice EliteBook 800 series with a 11th or 12th gen Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it and semiretire the old one.
+
It doesn't have to be brand new. A nice EliteBook 800 series with an 11th or 12th-generation Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days. I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop, get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it, and semi-retire the old one. If this was my laptop, I'd grab 2 640 or 645s (slightly less capable 800 series) for sub $200, put a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM in both given I probably bought them at a steep discount, then install Win10. I'll upgrade them to 11 Pro when EOL is more impending.
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years.
-
Doesn't have to be brand new, a nice EliteBook 800 series with a 11th or 12rh gen Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it and semi retire the old one.
+
Doesn't have to be brand new, a nice EliteBook 800 series with a 11th or 12th gen Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it and semi retire the old one.
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
-
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. Doesn't have to be brand new, a nice EliteBook 800 series with a 11th or 12rh gen chip is cheap enough these days I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it and semi retire the old one.
+
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years.
+
+
Doesn't have to be brand new, a nice EliteBook 800 series with a 11th or 12rh gen Intel (or similar AMD) chip is cheap enough these days I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it and semi retire the old one.
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
-
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this|new_window=true] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years.
+
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [link|https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years. Doesn't have to be brand new, a nice EliteBook 800 series with a 11th or 12rh gen chip is cheap enough these days I would put a cheap SSD like the Samsung in this laptop and get an EliteBook 840 or 845 that just left warranty, throw an SSD and 32GB of RAM in it and semi retire the old one.
The reason the BIOS is doing this is HP and Dell laptops have checked the SMART data at the firmware level for many years - when these errors show on HP and Dell BIOSes, the drive is failing. You'll need to backup the machine to an external drive and replace it to clear the POST message. I wouoldn't reuse the drive when it has SMART issues -- once you get a SMART error, the drive is on life support.
Get a good 512GB SSD (SATA) when you replace the drive -- the cost of SSDs has come down drastically in the last several years -- [https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-870-evo-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6448028.p?skuId=6448028|Something like this|new_window=true] is so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to install another spinning drive. That being said, this laptop will not run Win11 so unless you plan on switching it to something like Linux once October rolls around, I'd probably consider a new laptop after 12 years.