Lap top says boot device not found

[Brown39]

I have a very old lap,top not sure what it is it wasn’t doing anything then shut down and now it says boot device not found please install an operating system on your hard drive but I don’t no what that is, help please.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Brown39 

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your query! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for reaching out—and no worries, I’ll walk you through this step by step. That message means your laptop can’t find the system it needs to start up, which usually lives on the hard drive. It could be a simple fix or something that needs a bit more attention, but we’ll take it one step at a time.

🧰 Step 1: Try a Hard Reset

Let’s start with a quick refresh:

1. Turn off the laptop completely.
2. Unplug the power cord and remove the battery (if it’s removable).
3. Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds.
4. Reconnect the battery and power, then turn it on.

If the message still appears, we’ll dig a little deeper.

🔍 Step 2: Run a Hardware Diagnostic

HP laptops have a built-in tool to check if the hard drive is okay:

1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Turn it back on and immediately press the Esc key repeatedly.
3. When the Startup Menu appears, press F2 to open HP PC Hardware Diagnostics.
4. Choose Component Tests > Hard Drive and run the test.

If the test fails, the hard drive may be damaged and needs replacing. If it passes, we’ll move on to reinstalling the operating system.

💾 Step 3: Reinstall the Operating System

If the hard drive is healthy but the system is missing or corrupted, you’ll need to reinstall Windows:

1. Use another computer to download the Windows Media Creation Tool.
2. Follow the instructions to create a bootable USB drive (at least 8GB).
3. Plug the USB into your HP laptop.
4. Turn it on and press Esc, then F9 to open the Boot Menu.
5. Select the USB drive and follow the prompts to install Windows.

If you’re not sure how to do this or don’t have access to another computer, I can help you find a local HP service center or walk you through alternatives.

You’re doing the right thing by reaching out—let’s get that old laptop back on its feet!

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye