My computer won't start, couldn't even reset

[ray-ellington]

When I brought my laptop to my uni's library, it suddenly bluescreened in the middle of use. Since then I've tried everything. I tried Auto Recovery, I tried using a restore point, and I even tried resetting my PC several times through Win10. All of these would simply fail in the middle of the process and boot me back to the recovery menu.

After trying to reset my PC for the last time, I tried to use the HP Factory Reset. When that also failed, my laptop ended up in the state it's now in where it doesn't even boot into the recovery program; instead I get a black screen with the following printed:

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

----------------

I'm at my wit's end and I have no idea how to fix my laptop, especially with just my phone and the university computers.

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi
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).

Then if/when all the hardware passes test you can consider replacing the operating system.

BUT I suspect the Hard Disk has failed and needs replacing.

New OS is here...

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

So please post the test results.

[ray-ellington]

Thank you, sorry for the late reply.

"First:- Turn off the computer, press and hold the PWR button for 4 seconds."

I'm not sure what this means. Where do I start from if my computer is already off?

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi

IF it is not a Main Board fault, then....

Next would be to replace the HDD and OS since the diagnostic F2 wont run to diagnose any fault.

So use the Recovery Media you created when the PC was new.

Or perhaps...

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.

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.

If the above FAILS then please try:-
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb