Fixing Hard Disk Error 303: A Complete Guide

I. What is hard disk 303/305 error?

HP computers come equipped with a diagnostic tool that effectively checks for any hardware issues or malfunctions. To access this tool, simply start your computer as usual and press the ESC key when the startup screen appears. This will bring up the startup menu, where you can press F2 to enter the system diagnostic program. The tool will then provide system information and conduct a boot test, break-in test, and hard drive test. However, there may be instances where your HP computer fails to start properly and instead redirects to the system diagnostics. In these cases, after running the primary hard drive self-test, error codes such as “Hard Disk 1 Quick (303)” or “Hard Disk 1 Full (305)” may appear on the screen. So what exactly do these hard disk 305 and 303 errors indicate?

A hard disk with 305 or 303 errors indicates a potential fault and impending end of its service life. To resolve this issue, it is crucial to replace the hard drive with a new one immediately. These error codes typically prevent the system from starting up. If the hard disk contains essential files, it is advisable to back up or transfer the data to another hard drive using the following method before replacing it.

II. How to deal with 303 or 305 errors in the hard disk?

When the hard disk has 303 or 305 errors, the system cannot start. In this situation, data backup and rescue software with the ability to create a boot disk is necessary. In this example, we will use Renee Passnow to demonstrate the specific steps.

1. Use Renee Passnow to create a boot disk

Renee Passnow is a professional system rescue software, which can help Windows users restore disk/memory card data, recover data after hard disk formatting; transfer disk files; backup/clone the entire hard disk, erase or scan disk files to clear Windows account passwords, create New admin account etc. In addition, this software also supports repairing Windows system problems, such as: repairing MBR boot records, DBR error parameters, 0xc00000e, Windows system startup failure, and some problems that cause black screen or blue screen, etc. As a system rescue tool with various functions, it is perfectly compatible with multiple systems including Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista, and can meet the system rescue needs of different users.

① Download and install Renee PassNow on another computer that can log in and run normally, then connect the USB disk to the PC.

Please select the (Create a Live USB) option under “Step 1: Select creation method” in the main interface.

Note: Before performing this operation, please make sure that the important files in the USB disk have been saved in other locations because the operation will delete all the data in the USB disk.

② Next, select (x64) or (x86) according to the system type, click the (Download Now) button to download the ISO file, and then click the (Create USB) button. After the file download is complete, click (Eject USB).

③ Connect the created boot disk to the computer that needs to back up or restore the hard disk files, and turn on the computer.

Press the shortcut key to enter the BIOS setting (you can also check the computer manual or official website instructions). In the BIOS (Boot) interface, set the USB boot disk as the preferred startup option, then save the setting and exit.

Note: If you create a rescue USB disk, select (Removable Devices) as the first boot item, and if you create a rescue CD, select (CD-ROM Drive) as the first boot item.

2. Use the startup disk to start the computer to backup or restore hard disk data

After successfully booting up your computer with the startup disk, you’ll be taken to the Renee Passnow interface. From there, you can choose to utilize the (Data Backup) feature to clone or backup your hard drive, or use the (Undeleter) function to recover data from your hard drive onto another one.

① After starting the computer from the USB disk, select the (data backup) option. It completely clones the hard disk to other hard disks. If you only need to back up some important files, you can also choose (Data Transfer ) option.

② Select the hard disk to be backed up in the (source) list, select the target hard disk to save the file in the (destination) list, and finally click (clone).

The data on the target hard disk may be cleared during the cloning process, so it is recommended to make a backup in advance.

Errors 303 and 305 on the hard disk mean that the hard disk may be faulty, and the data in it may be lost. If you want to restore the lost data, you can also refer to the following steps.

① After starting the computer from the startup disk and entering the function interface, select the (Undeleter) option and click the (Run) button.

② Select the (Whole Disk Scan) option to scan the hard disk.

③ After the scan is complete, you can preview and select the files to be recovered, and click the (Recover) button. It is recommended to select another hard disk to save the recovered files.

3. After the hard disk data is backed up or restored, the hard disk can be replaced

After successfully backing up or restoring your hard disk data, you can proceed with replacing the hard disk. If your computer hardware is still under warranty, you can contact the official after-sales maintenance agency for a free replacement. However, if the warranty has expired, you have the option to replace it yourself or seek assistance from a repair agency.

When replacing the hard disk by yourself, pay attention to the following points:

● When selecting a new hard drive, be sure to consider the hard drive model that is compatible with your computer. This information can be found by examining the hard drive’s interface, speed, capacity, and size.

● Prepare the required installation tools, such as Phillips screwdriver and rubber gloves.

● Please disconnect the power supply when replacing the hard disk.

● If you’re unsure how to take apart and install your hard drive, use the internet to look for disassembly and assembly guides specifically for your computer model. This way, you can learn the process step by step and ensure a successful installation.