Occasional Boot Device Issue

[FlightlessBird]

As of yesterday I have begun to occasionally upon start up getting the Boot device not found screen that reads "please install an operating system on your hard disk,   hard disk- (3F0)." This is not every time on start up, nor is it predictable, it happens occasionally after I close my laptop for 10 minutes or if I am completely turning it on.  The only notable occurrences are that this happened around me dropping my laptop on it's side but I have done that before with no issue, and recently I've had to use a non Hp charger on my spectre as my other charger broke.

I tried to follow the directions in a different post on what to do with 3f0 errors but I could not finish the final step as it was not intended for the spectre model.

Is this an issue that will likely progress to completely not being able to boot the drivers? Is this an easy fix with a bios update?

Any help would be appreciated as I'm trying to avoid spending a lot on a costly fix.

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi

MAKE BACKUPS AND RECOVERY MEDIA IMMEDIATELY.

You have a FAILED/FAILING hard disk drive.

When it finally fails you will need to replace it and re-install all the software.

Forewarned is Forearmed.

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi
PLEASE POST ANY RESULTS.
First:- Turn off the computer, press and hold the PWR button for 4 seconds.

Then - Leave only keyboard and mouse connected, disconnect all externally connected
devices such as Docking Station, USB storage devices, displays, and printers.
Unplug the AC adapter from the computer.

Next - Press and Hold the Power button for 15 seconds to Hard Reset.
Rinse and Repeat; Re-Connect the AC adapter.

NOW begin checking/testing/proving the Hardware is fit for purpose.
Power on your PC, press ESC (repeatedly), then F2 at the prompt.
Choose System Tests (Fast Test does a 4 minute hardware check).
AND/OR
HOW DO I USE DIAGNOSTICS?

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics is a Windows-based utility that allows you to run diagnostic tests to determine if the computer hardware is functioning properly. The tool runs within the Windows operating system in order to diagnose hardware failures. HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows comes pre-installed on new HP computers, but if not on yours, download here:-
https://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/hpsupportassistant/pc-diags.html

~~~~~~~~~~~#

From 2016 onwards there is a possible recovery option via the cloud...
HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool (Windows 7 & 10)
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06162205
OR
This First part only works when a valid Recovery Partition is enabled.
If it displays an error message then move onto the Second part,
OR if you have data you wish to try and save using the XCOPY command.
Then create your own Repair/Recovery/Rebuild/Re-install media or buy a set from HP.

Turn off the computer.
Disconnect all connected devices and cables, Media Drives, USB drives, printers, & faxes.
Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware.
Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power cord.
WARNING - ONE WAY ONLY, WIPES ALL DATA - NON-RECOVERABLE
Turn on the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key, about once every second,
until the Choose an option screen is displayed, and then continue.

On the Choose an Option screen, click Troubleshoot, and work your way through the screens.

Second Part:-
This may require another PC. Find and Download your .iso from…

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Expand/Extract/Burn the iso Image onto a DVD/USB as needed.
Microsoft’s Creator Tool will make the required DVD or USB.

Even though it has NO actual HP software/drivers included, you may be able to
XCOPY the C:\Users\* area onto a ‘large’ USB stick, via the Command Prompt.

You’ll need to try various drive letters; D:..-..Z: until it’s matched - could be G; mine’s S:

C:\>XCOPY C:\Users\* S:\ /e /i /h (then files like those 3 listed below get copied over)

C:\Users\desktop.ini
C:\Users\All Users\agent.1509128044.bdinstall.bin
C:\Users\All Users\HP Deskjet 2540 series\Help\flash\zoom.swf

Then you can try System Recovery Options / Advanced Options shown in the screenshots.


NB: - W10 Begin with the Automatic Repair, then Startup Settings etc.

From either the C:\ or the X:\ prompt try the following


http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb

[FlightlessBird]

Thank you for your aid, I will let you know how it goes.