Boot Device Not Found

[Snow43]

An odd thing happened this evening. My father-in-law's and my desktop showed "Boot Device Not Found," and we do not live in the same house. We live a mile apart. What happened? I have tried troubleshooting tips, but I cannot get it to run a test.

[savvy2]

all PC made end just here, every  one if used long enough and here you are.

• the batteries are dead, all are, for sure RTC coin cell battery dead, now BIOS nuts and can not boot HHD0
• HDD 0 bad. not above.
• PC is not dead, power is not dead nor is BIOS dead, it told you not found. so is not dead but crazy sure. battery bad.
• we test the battery first, below 2.9vdc is bad coin , walmart has it , CR2032 coin cell. most are.
• then if that is cured, we test the hdd next or run HP diagnosis same.

easy no, desktops are, they are WONDERFULLY easy to fix and upgrade but not fake AIO desktops,

I carbon14 date your PC at 5 years max , 2015 , on the cusp of bad battery and bad hdd. both. only testing works.

but $1. coin. so attractive that.

[WAWood]

@Snow43 

The comment that @savvy2 made about drive failure on an older desktop is most likely the issue.

You have to go to the PC and perform the steps listed below to test the drive; you can not do this remotely.

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.

[Snow43]

Thank you so much for responding. I am a tad technologically inept. Can I replace that battery by myself? Thanks.

[Snow43]

Thank you for responding. I did as recommended, but it will not perform a hard drive test, which makes me conclude my hard drive is dead. Am I correct? Thanks.