ps4 cannont enter safe mode, only checking storage status then resets

Trying to install ps4 ware to a seagate HDD. got through initialization and then stuck on “ checking the system storage”. when I say stuck, I mean that the PS4 preformed this operation at least 10 times over several hours yesterday as it kept restarting and re-checking.

came back, PS4 was off, I turn it on, go through first startup procedure, gets stuck on a loading screen , so i walk away and come back an hour later. ps4 is off.

Only this once did it enter safe mode, so I attempted to use option 5 to defrag as I’d seen recommended before.

Today when I woke up, Ps4 was off completely so I try safe mode, one beep to turn on, 7 seconds, then two beeps, and it goes off.

Normal startup now yields a two hour “ checking the system storage status screen”, a reset and we start all over again.

So in nutshell, I cant turn off my ps4, start it normally, or even safely power cycle it.

what do I do?