Boot device not found

[Carstenkrogh]

Hi

My Old HP Pavilion 550 will not start up and comes with the message: Boot device not found - hard desk (3F0) Please install an operating system on your hard disk

Is there anyway to fix it or shall I just by a new one?

Best Carsten

[Raj_05]

Hi @Carstenkrogh,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

The error message you're encountering, "Boot device not found - hard disk (3F0) Please install an operating system on your hard disk," typically indicates that your computer is having trouble locating a bootable device, such as the hard drive or SSD, to start up the operating system. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including hardware issues, incorrect BIOS settings, or corrupted operating system files. Here's what you can try to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

• Check Hardware Connections: Start by making sure that all the cables and connections related to your hard drive are secure. This includes the data cable (SATA cable) and the power cable. Sometimes, a loose connection can cause this error.
• Access BIOS/UEFI Settings: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. This is usually done by pressing a specific key (like F2, F10, Delete, or Esc) during the boot-up process. Check if your hard drive is recognized in the BIOS. If it's not listed, there might be a hardware issue with the drive.
• Check Boot Order: In the BIOS/UEFI settings, navigate to the boot order or boot priority settings. Make sure that the hard drive with your operating system is set as the first boot device. If it's not, the system might be trying to boot from an incorrect device.
• Test with a Bootable USB: Create a bootable USB drive with an operating system installation or recovery tool. Boot from the USB drive and see if you can access your hard drive from there. This will help determine if the issue is with the hard drive or the system files.
• Check for Hard Drive Failure: If you're able to access the BIOS and the bootable USB, but your hard drive is not detected, there might be a hardware issue with the drive. You can try connecting the drive to another computer or using diagnostic tools to check its health.
• Repair or Reinstall Operating System: If your hard drive seems to be functioning properly, the operating system files might be corrupted. In this case, you might need to repair or reinstall the operating system using the bootable USB drive.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4
HP Support