Computer says "Please install an operating system on your hard disk, Boot device not found"

[Nike5221]

The battery on my laptop died on October 2016.  Due the back order and availability of a replacement battery, I wasn't able to order a new battery until December 2016 and didn't receive until February 2016.  Now I've installed the battery, the battery has passed the test, but now the "Hard Disk Test" Failed... "Boot Device not found"... "Please Install an operating system on your hard disk"... I didn't back up my hard drive to a external drive or disc, but I did back it up to an online account on the computer, but I don't remember the name.  I need all my files.... what do you suggest?

[GBL84 · Accepted solution]

Hello @Nike5221,

Sorry to know !!

Whenever the Hard Disk Short/Long DST test fails that indicates that the Hard Disk Drive has failed and that requires a replacement to resolve the issue

HP will provide a replacement Hard Disk Drive if the Notebook warranty is Active, If not you need buy a SATA Hard Disk Drive from a retail shop nearby

Please Contact HP if your HP Notebook is under warranty, HP would replace the Hard Disk Drive and provide you a Recovery media to restore factory operating system after replacement (if you've not yet created Recovery Discs/USB Media)

Note: Back up all the personal data to an external drive if it's possible. Otherwise you could connect the failed HDD via SATA to USB adapter with another PC or same PC after replacement of HDD & re-installation of OS and try copying /recovering the files. You can also refer to the below shown link for further support

http://www.wikihow.com/Recover-Data-from-the-Hard-Drive-of-a-Dead-Laptop

Please click on the link In order to Identify, Prevent, Diagnose & Recover from Drive Failures on HP Notebook Hard Drives & Solid State Drives :

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02876562.pdf

You can Check your warranty Here to verify the status and Click Here to order a new Hard Drive

Hope this helps, for any further queries reply to the post and feel free to join us again !!

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Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

Thank You,

GBL84

I am not an HP Employee 

[Nike5221]

Thanks! So since the Hard Drive needs replacing and none of my files were backed-up, what is the first step? See if I can get the files on hard drive recovered first with Best Buy or a Data Recovery Center? then get it transferred to a external Hard Drive?

[GBL84]

You're very Welcome !!

Yes !! Please try to take a back up from the failed drive to an external drive.

Once you replace the failed drive and install the operating system. You may move your back up files to the new hard drive.

Try this : http://www.wikihow.com/Recover-Data-from-the-Hard-Drive-of-a-Dead-Laptop

If the above doesnt help then contact best buy or any other centers as you mentioned.

                                             All the Best !!!     Thanks for being a member !

Hope this helps, for any further queries reply to the post and feel free to join us again !!

 **Click the White Thumbs Up Button on the right to say Thanks**

Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

Thank You,

GBL84

I am not an HP Employee