Boot Device Not Fiund

[Gablu]

Hello, 

I have an older model laptop (not touch screen) which fell off the table and now will not re-boot. The error message I’m getting on a black screen  is ….

Boot Device Not Found

Please install an operating system on your hard drive

Hard Disk  (3FO)

I have tried rebooting several times without any luck. The operating system on it is Windows 10. Would appreciate if anyone has a solution for this.  

cheers

[TheOldMan]

Several things indicate the hard drive has probably failed.  Most hard drives are not durable enough to withstand a fall off the table.  Also the "Boot Device Not Found" would probably indicate that.  But to make sure try running the Diagnostics routine.

To run the Diagnostics routine, Start tapping the Esc key BEFORE starting the PC and then press the start button.
Keep tapping the Esc key until a popup menu shows. Then pick Diagnostics from that popup menu, F2.
Report back with the results.

Assuming that the drive fails the testing, you will need to replace the drive and then reinstall Windows 10.

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.