PC Won't boot, SATA power might be loose?

[Logan_S]

I recently got a used PC as a gift from someone, and I was trying to boot it up to start using it. When I did so, it got stuck at either the HP logo screen or on a screen saying "Press the ESC key for Startup Menu". After that, I referenced this post: Stuck at the screen with words "Press the ESC key for Startup Menu" on the bottom and cleared the CMOS. After that, it would get stuck on a screen saying "Default BIOS settings have been loaded". For this, I referenced the following post: Default bios settings have been loaded... then frozen with no further success. I have opened it up to take a look inside and it seems like the SATA power cable might be lose but even with it pushed all the way in it can't seem to boot. Regardless of whether or not it could potentially come out later, I thought it might boot with me pushing it all the way in to make sure it got power.

Additionally, the previous user of this PC is unavailable to contact. From my understanding, they may have been messing around with some operating systems, particularly attempting to download linux distros, before it was given to me; however, it is impossible for me to tell as I cannot boot the computer whatsoever.

PC in question is the Pavilion p7-1120.

Core i3-2130 

WD Caviar Green 1TB HDD

IPISB-CU (Carmel2) Motherboard

Further product specifications here: HP Pavilion p7-1120 

As far as I can tell, there have been no hardware modifications.

I appreciate all and any help, and would be happy to provide further information.

[WAWood]

@Logan_S 

If they messed around with Linux distros, it is very possible they corrupted something in the Windows boot loader -- as folks often use the WRONG installation method which results in such corruption.  That would pretty much prevent Windows from booting regardless of anything you did.  I have been running Linux distros for well over ten years and tell those folks this stuff all the time -- but no one listens!

Being stuck on the logo screen, since that is displayed from the firmware, is a likely indication that the drive is either failing or has become corrupted.

So, let's check that first, because if it is failing, it would need to be replaced and there is no point then in doing anything else until we confirm that.

If your PC is new enough to support UEFI, you can use these steps to test the hard drive: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00439024

If not, to check the drive you have to follow these steps:
1) Press Esc key repeatedly, several times a second, while rebooting the laptop. Do NOT hold the key down, just press it over and over.
2) Eventually, you will see an HP Startup Menu
3) Press the Function key for testing the hard drive (usually F2) and let it run.
If the drive checks out OK, then report that and I can provide you options for reinstalling Windows on your PC.