my laptop having a booting problem and showing a blue screen message

[anandhan_123]

my laptop is not turning on and having boot error and showing a blue screen message 'boot device not found and asking to install operating system on hard disk '

[Sneha_01]

Hi @anandhan_123,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like you're encountering a serious issue with your laptop's boot device. The blue screen message indicating "boot device not found" typically means that your laptop is having trouble accessing the hard drive where the operating system is installed. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and possibly resolve this issue:

1. Check for Loose Connections:

• Shut down your laptop completely and disconnect it from any power sources. If possible, remove the battery (if it's removable).
• If you're comfortable, open the back panel of your laptop to check if the hard drive is properly connected. Ensure that the connectors are firmly seated.

2. Run Diagnostics

• Use Built-In Diagnostics:
  • Many laptops have built-in diagnostic tools that can help identify hardware issues. To access these:
    • HP Laptops: Restart and repeatedly press Esc to enter the Startup Menu. Then, press F2 to run diagnostics.
    • Dell Laptops: Restart and press F12 to access the Boot Menu, then select Diagnostics.
    • Other Brands: Consult your laptop’s manual or manufacturer’s website for the specific key or method to run diagnostics.

3. Check BIOS/UEFI Settings

• Restart your laptop and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the appropriate key during startup (usually F2, F10, Esc, or Del).
• Ensure that the hard drive is listed as the primary boot device. If not, adjust the boot order to prioritize the hard drive.
• Verify if the BIOS/UEFI detects the hard drive. If it doesn’t, the drive might be physically damaged or improperly connected.

4. Perform Hard Drive Tests:

• Create a bootable USB drive with diagnostic tools or an operating system installation media. Boot from the USB and run diagnostics or try to access the hard drive to see if it’s recognized.

5. Repair Boot Records

• If you have a Windows installation USB/DVD, boot from it and select Repair your computer. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair. This may fix issues with the boot records.
• If Startup Repair doesn’t work, you can try running the following commands from the Command Prompt in the recovery environment:
  • Fix Master Boot Record (MBR): bootrec /fixmbr
  • Fix Boot Sector: bootrec /fixboot
  • Rebuild BCD: bootrec /rebuildbcd

6. Check for Hard Drive Errors:

• Boot from the installation media and open Command Prompt. Run chkdsk /f /r C: (replace C: with your drive letter) to check and repair file system errors.

7. Reinstall Operating System

• If you have access to the hard drive (using another computer or external enclosure), backup important data before proceeding.
• As a last resort, you may need to reinstall the operating system. Boot from installation media, and follow the prompts to perform a clean install. This will erase all data on the drive, so ensure you have backups if possible.

8. Replace Hard Drive:

• If the hard drive is not detected in BIOS/UEFI or fails diagnostics, it might be physically damaged and need replacement.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support

[surbicharles]

I'm sorry you're facing this issue with your laptop. The "boot device not found" error usually indicates that the system cannot detect the hard drive. First, check if the hard drive is recognized in the BIOS by pressing F10 at startup. If it's not detected, it could be a hardware issue. Also, try disconnecting any external devices like the gs108ev3 Ethernet Desktop Plus Switch to rule out conflicts. If the issue persists, you might need to reinstall the operating system or contact HP Support for further assistance.