So as it turned out, the hard drive was never the problem.

I mean it was, because it failed, but it didn't fail on its own

My motherboard failed, which killed the hard drive

so now I have to send my computer in to HP to get it serviced

And both agents I talked to assured me that replacing the motherboard is essentially resetting the computer's functional lifespan

So that's good

But it means I don't have it for another two weeks, at the outside

/first world problems

better to know a problem and choose to suffer than remain ignorant and abused......... aka the matrix

fffffffff

My laptop is secretly controlling me

THAT AIR YOU'RE BREATHING

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK