This error appears when trying to boot your system but it fails and redirects you to the System Diagnostics. After it runs the Primary Hard Disk Self-Test, it throws you the error Hard Disk Quick Error (303) or SMART Hard Disk Error 301.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, errors like Hard Disk 1 Quick (303) or Hard Disk 1 Full (305) may appear.<\/p>\n
What Are the Causes of Hard Disk Errors?<\/h2>\n
Understanding the underlying causes of hard disk errors can help you address the issues more effectively. Here are some of the common factors that can lead to hard disk errors<\/a> like 303 Error Code or Error Code 305:<\/p>\n When the \u2018 Hard Disk 1 Quick 303\u2019 or \u2018Full 305\u2019 errors appear, it means your hard drive is failing. You\u2019ll need to act fast to avoid losing your important data. Here is what you should do:<\/p>\n The first step to protecting your data is to back it up to an external storage device<\/a> or cloud-based service. You can follow the procedure below to back up the data on your damaged hard drive:<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a Windows 11 user, follow the steps below:<\/p>\n After the backup is complete, you can restore your files and folders anytime you want using the Backup and Restore tool. Here is how to do so:<\/p>\n The System image backups you created in your previous version of Windows are available to you:<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve upgraded to Windows 11 and you turned sync on, your synced settings will automatically be restored on your new PC when you sign in with your Microsoft account.<\/p>\n Related: <\/strong>How to Download and Install Windows 11<\/a><\/p>\n Loose disk cables and connections can contribute to Error Code 305 and 303 Error Code by disrupting communication between your hard disk and the PC. When the cables are not securely connected or are partially disconnected, it can lead to intermittent data transmission or complete data loss, which could result in those error codes.<\/p>\n For that reason, you need to ensure the disk cables are connected properly. To do so:<\/p>\n When you encounter a hard disk error like error code 305 , you can use the Windows built-in Check Disk tool to try to resolve it. Here\u2019s how to proceed:<\/p>\n Alternatively, you can run the CHKDSK tool to diagnose your hard drive for file system issues and correct them. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n If it finds errors, execute the command Keeping your device drivers up to date is a crucial maintenance task that can enhance the performance, stability, and compatibility of your hardware components with the operating system.<\/p>\n Learn more: <\/strong>[EASY GUIDE] How to Update Device Drivers on a Windows 10 PC?<\/a><\/p>\n A System Diagnostics report provides a detailed look at the hardware, software configurations, system response times, and much more. Essentially, it provides information on all aspects of your system.<\/p>\n To create a System Diagnostics report, follow these steps:<\/p>\n If all else fails, you might be left with only the option of replacing your hard drive with a new one. As mentioned earlier in the article, the error codes 303 and 305 may indicate that your hard drive has failed and it\u2019s likely you won’t be able to restore its health.<\/p>\n Therefore, research the best hard disk drives you can purchase or better still, upgrade to an SSD (solid state drive), which is faster and more effective.<\/p>\n You can also contact HP Support if your PC is still under warranty.<\/p>\n Related: <\/strong>SSD vs HDD: What\u2019s the Difference and What to Choose?<\/a><\/p>\n SMART or Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology<\/a>hard disk error 301 is an alert generated by your system\u2019s BIOS (Basic Input\/Output System) during the startup process on HP laptops.<\/p>\n Also Read: <\/strong>What is BIOS on a Computer: Everything You Need to Know<\/a><\/p>\n The error signifies that the system has detected a potential issue with your hard disk\u2019s health status. The error is typically associated with the hard drive\u2019s imminent failure or other critical issues that need immediate attention.<\/p>\n Before we begin, be sure to backup all important data and files<\/a>if you can access them. Here are some solutions you can perform to fix the SMART hard disk error 301 :<\/p>\n Usually, it\u2019s advisable to restart the system if you encounter any problems. However, in the case of the SMART hard disk error, a simple restart might not be enough. That\u2019s where a hard reboot comes in.<\/p>\n To perform a hard reboot:<\/p>\n Hopefully, this solution works. If it doesn\u2019t, try the next method.<\/p>\n Your HP PC comes with a built-in Hardware Diagnostics Tool to help you determine whether your PC\u2019s hardware is functioning correctly. The tool can quickly diagnose hardware failures and memory issues.<\/p>\n To run it:<\/p>\n Alternative Method:<\/b>You can run a hard drive error check without downloading the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n The above methods should fix the SMART hard disk error 301. However, sometimes the hard disk might be severely damaged or corrupt, and therefore, beyond saving. In such a case, you can try to recover the data using the procedures below:<\/p>\n Set Up a Recovery Drive<\/strong><\/p>\n To prepare a recovery drive, follow the procedure as shown below:<\/p>\n The process will take a fair amount of time to complete since many files will be copied to the recovery drive. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Perform Data Recovery from the Recovery Drive<\/b><\/p>\n Note that the below procedure for recovering files from an external drive using CMD works for any external storage media, including USB, HDD, and SD card.<\/p>\n Let us see how it is done:<\/p>\n where \u2018H:\u2019 is the letter of the drive you want to recover.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n When you get to Step 4, you can use a different command:<\/p>\n Solutions shown above will help you keep the data on your failed hard drive. Sometimes, the Hard Drive Errors may prevent you from booting into your computer. You will have to use a recovery CD to boot into your computer before using the backup and recovery tool. If the procedures seem too much for you to handle, you can use a specialized third-party data recovery software like Auslogics File Recovery<\/a> to create a backup image of your files (including photos, videos, documents, and other data). All you have to do is remove the failed drive and connect it to another computer. Then download and run the third-party tool.<\/p>\n\n
How to Fix Hard Disk Errors 303 and 305 on Windows PC<\/h2>\n
Fix 1: Backup Your Data<\/h3>\n
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Windows + I<\/code> keyboard combination to open the Settings<\/em> app without going to the Start menu<\/em>.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/back-up-data-on-Windows-10.png\")
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Control Panel<\/code>, then select it from the list.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Control-Panel-on-Windows-11.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n File History<\/code> in the Control Panel<\/em>\u2019s search box, then select Save backup copies of your files with File History<\/em>.
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Restore files<\/code> in the search menu and select Restore your files with File History<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n
Windows + R<\/code> keyboard combination) and type Control Panel<\/code>\u00a0in the text box. Then, hit Enter<\/code>.<\/li>\n
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\nFix 2: Check Disk Cables and Connections<\/h3>\n
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Fix 3: Perform a Disk Check<\/h3>\n
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Win + E<\/code> keyboard shortcut, and select This PC<\/em>.<\/li>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/perfom-disk-check-on-Windows-11.png\")
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Win + R<\/code> keys or right-click Start<\/em> and select Run<\/em>. Type CMD<\/code> in the Run<\/em> dialog box and press Shift + Ctrl + Enter<\/code> simultaneously.<\/li>\nchkdsk<\/code> and hit Enter<\/code> to execute. This command will only tell you if there are any errors on your hard disk drive but won\u2019t fix them. If your hard drive doesn’t have any problems, you\u2019ll see the notification \u201cWindows has scanned the file system and found no problems. No further action is required.\u201d In that case, you can proceed to the next method below.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nchkdsk \/f<\/code> to perform a thorough scan and fix any issues discovered. Use the command chkdsk \/r<\/code> to repair faulty hard drive sectors that could be causing the Hard Disk 1 Quick 303 or Hard D<\/p>\nFix 4: Update Device Drivers<\/h3>\n
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\nFix 5: Run System Diagnostics<\/h3>\n
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Win + R<\/code> keys on your keyboard to launch the Run<\/em> dialog box.<\/li>\nperfmon \/report<\/code> and hit the Enter<\/code> key.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Run-System-Diagnostics-on-Windows.png\")
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\r\n <\/div>\r\n Fix 6: Replace Your Hard Disk Drive<\/h3>\n
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\nWhat Is SMART Hard Disk Error 301?<\/h2>\n
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\nHow to Fix SMART Error 301?<\/h2>\n
Fix 1: Try a System Hard Reboot<\/h3>\n
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Fix 2: Check for Drive Errors<\/h3>\n
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Esc<\/code> key several times to open Startup Menu<\/em>.<\/li>\nF2<\/code> to launch System Diagnostics<\/em>.<\/li>\nEnter<\/code>.<\/li>\nEnter<\/code>.<\/li>\nEnter<\/code> to go back to the main menu.<\/li>\nEnter<\/code>. This test might take up to an hour or longer to complete.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nFix 3: Recover Your Data<\/h3>\n
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Windows Key<\/code> on your keyboard.<\/li>\nCreate a recovery drive<\/code>\u00a0in the search box and click on the search results matching entry.<\/li>\n\n
Command prompt<\/code> or CMD<\/code> in the search bar. When the option appears in the results list, right-click on it and select Run as Administrator<\/em>.<\/li>\nEnter<\/code> to run it:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nattrib -h -r -s \/s \/d drive letter:\\*.*\u201d<\/pre>\n
attrib -h -r -s \/s \/d H:\\*.*\u201d<\/pre>\n
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chkdsk H\/f<\/code> and hit Enter<\/code>. Note that H<\/em> is the letter of the drive you want to recover. If the letter is different in your case, then use the appropriate one.<\/li>\nY<\/code>.<\/li>\nH<\/code>) and hit Enter<\/code>.<\/li>\n[H : \\ >attrib \u2013h \u2013r \u2013s \/s \/d *.*]<\/pre>\n
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Enter<\/code> to execute the command. When the process is complete, it will retrieve all the files on your drive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n