Boot Device Not Found Please install an operating system on your hard disk. Hard Disk <3FO> F2 Syste

[kountryking]

I recently spilled Coca Cola over the keyboard of my HP Laptop. It blacked out and wouldn’t boot. My local computer shop HP (techs?) where I bought it couldn’t get it started. I got an older HP laptop that hadn’t worked leading to the purchase of a new one out of the garage and miraculously it booted---but with just about all my apps and installed programs missing. I removed the hard disk from the newer laptop, put it in an external case and reloaded what I needed. Except for having to use the monitor from my antique Gateway PC and the On-Screen Keyboard due to so many non-functioning keys, it has been serving me admirably.

I decided to see if I could “fix” the now dried out newer laptop. I put its hard disk back and was thrilled to see the screen come on—but with the following message:

Boot Device Not Found

Please install an operating system on your hard disk.

Hard Disk <3FO>

F2 System Diagnostics

For more information, please visit: www.hp.com/go/techcenter/startup

Since both laptops have basically the same data on their much different hard disks (the newer one was bought here in El Salvador but HP was kind enough to remotely install Windows 10 English version for me), and I have been fortunate enough to make countless repairs over the years that befuddled the local techs as well as the more distant Microsoft call-center folks, I am turning to you for help or suggestions.

Model  RTL8723BE

Serial Number: [edit]

Thank you very much.

Roger William Brown

[edit]

[Echo_Lake]

@kountryking
Thank you for posting on the HP Support Community.

I recommend you perform the following steps to isolate the issue and arrive at a fix:

Firstly, let's perform a Hard Reset: Follow steps from the link: https://hp.care/2GnkMa8.

Next: Restore BIOS default settings.

1. Turn off the computer and wait five seconds.
2. Press the Power button to start the computer and repeatedly press the F10 key to enter the BIOS setup menu.
3. On the BIOS Setup screen, press F9 to select and load the BIOS Setup Default settings.
4. Press F10 to Save and Exit.
5. Use the arrow keys to select Yes, then press Enter when asked Exit Saving Changes?
6. Follow the prompts to restart your computer. (If the error message displays proceed to the next step)

Next: Test the hard drive using HP PC Hardware Diagnostics
Please click here to download sp98768.exe, or go to the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Supporting Website.

1. Plug the AC adapter into the computer.
2. Press the Power button for at least five seconds to turn off the computer.
3. Turn on the computer and start pressing Esc repeatedly, about once every second. When the menu appears, press the F2 key.
4. When the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics menu displays, click Component Tests.
5. In the Component Tests menu, click Hard Drive.
6. Click Quick Test.
7. Click Run once. If the computer has more than one hard drive, click Test All Hard Drives. The Quick Test begins.
8. If the computer has more than one hard drive, select the drive you want to test. To test all the hard drives, select Test All Hard Drives.

When a test is complete, the results display on the screen. Test results are also available in the Test Logs on the main menu.

If the hard drive passes the Quick Test, but a problem still exists with the hard drive, run the Extensive Test. This test includes the SMART Check, Short DST, Optimized DST, and Long DST. To run a specific test, select it from the Hard Drive Tests menu.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[kountryking]

Nice try but the device doesn't boot. It just opens with white letters on a black screen with the message above. Since I can't open the device, I can't open the disk drive and it won't recognize a USB external drive.

[Echo_Lake]

@kountryking
This sounds like a hardware related issue,

I would request you to reach out to our Support and our Support Engineers should be able to check the available service options in order to diagnose the computer physically. HP Support can be reached by clicking on the following link:  www.hp.com/contacthp/

Please feel free to contact us here anytime you need any further assistance. Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.