Boot Device Not Found

[Tom121212]

Unable to boot. Message boot device not founf. F2 quick  diagnostics for hard drive states Short DST Failed. Error PLL7LW-8JCBSW-GXPQQ1-6OUT03.

[TheOldMan]

Unfortunately that means the hard drive has failed and needs to be replaced.  That will also mean that Windows needs to be reinstalled.  The spec page indicates the drive to be a 2 TB  SATA  5400 rpm.

Assuming you do not have a recent backup, you can reinstall Windows 10 but all other software will need to be reinstalled, too, using normal install procedures.

If you need the install media for Windows 10, you can make it from this Microsoft download

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

With a working PC, scroll down to the "Using the tool to create installation media"
and then follow the directions. You can make either the DVD or USB. Use this new media to install Windows 10.
When the install asks for the product key, click the "I don't have a product key" option to continue,
then the install will continue. It will be activated once it connects to the internet, as it uses a digital key.

[Tom121212]

Thanks for tge response. I openned up the computer to inspect the hard drive, after unplugging and plugging back in, it has booted up. So should be able to recover my data. 

I woul like some advice. I had already orderred a new computer, but prefer not to waste snd keep this. It has bern crashing for several months evrry couple of weeks, but  I had previously always managed to restart through a hard boot. Also the computer takes 2 minutes plus to boot up, but once booted normally runs fine, other than the occasional crashes. 

What to you think is the underlying cause? Hardware or is it because it is dated, in whch case zi need to replace anyway. The computer is 7yrs old, runs intel i5 v7. 

[TheOldMan]

I think you bought some time in that it is working now, but the symptoms you describe indicate that is failing.  The short test failure is telling you that, also.  I would still replace the hard drive.  If you plan to recover the data, backup the drive to an external media now - while it is working.  If you have the new drive in hand, you can clone the drive and save yourself much time and aggravation.  I can help guide you with that task, if you need help.

As far as replacing the PC, that is a decision, or gamble that you need to make. There is a good chance that something else may fail since it is that old, but it may last, also.  7 years old is relatively old for a PC but many people use old PC's.

FYI:  If you buy a new drive, I would make it a SATA SSD.  That will speed it up considerably for just a small price.

https://www.amazon.com/sata-ssd-drives/s?k=sata+ssd+drives&rh=n%3A1292116011%2Cp_n_feature_twelve_br...

If you purchase a name product, IE: Samsung, WD, or Crucial,  ETC - they provide the cloning software for free on their support site.

[Tom121212]

Thanks for the response, and offer to clone the drive. Much appreciated.  You we're correct. The computer continues to crash, but I have managed to copy my files to the cloud. So should be fine now. I wlli purchase a new computer for myself, but will also swap out the drive, as a challenge to myself to fix it,  plus my daughter wants the computer. 

[TheOldMan]

Great!  IF/when the PC is working again, it would be nice if that info was added to the thread, so others reading will know how it went.