Operating system?

[Trey51]

My screen shut off earlier and now it doesn’t even have a start up? All that comes up is a blue screen that says please install an operating system on your hard disk

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Trey51 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I can imagine how unsettling it feels to see your laptop suddenly shut off and then only display a blue screen asking for an operating system. 

Thank you for sharing the exact wording—it helps us pinpoint the issue. This message usually means the system cannot detect Windows on the hard drive, so let’s go step by step to bring it back:

 

Step 1: Power Reset

1. Disconnect the AC adapter and remove any external devices.
2. Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds to discharge residual power.
3. Reconnect the adapter and try powering on again.

 

Step 2: Check Boot Device in BIOS

1. Turn off the laptop completely.
2. Press the power button and immediately tap F10 repeatedly to enter BIOS Setup.
3. In BIOS, check if the hard drive is listed under Storage or Boot Options.
   • If the drive is not detected, reseating or replacing the drive may be needed.
   • If it is detected, ensure it is set as the first boot device.

 

Step 3: Run Hardware Diagnostics

1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Press the power button and immediately tap F2 repeatedly.
3. The HP PC Hardware Diagnostics screen should appear.
4. Run the System Test and Hard Drive Test to check for hardware faults.

 

Step 4: Attempt BIOS Recovery

1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Press and hold Windows key + B, then press the power button.
3. Keep holding until you hear beeps or see the BIOS recovery screen.
4. Follow the on‑screen instructions if recovery starts.

 

Step 5: Reinstall Windows

If diagnostics confirm the hard drive is healthy but the operating system is missing or corrupted:

1. On another PC, download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official site.
2. Create a bootable USB drive with Windows 10 or 11.
3. Insert the USB into your laptop and power it on.
4. Press F9 at startup to open the Boot Menu and select the USB drive.
5. Follow the instructions to reinstall Windows.

 

Step 6: After Reinstallation

• Once Windows is installed, open the HP App to add drivers and updates for your laptop.
• Run Windows Update to ensure the system is fully patched.

These steps will help determine whether the issue is with the hard drive itself or just the operating system installation. Since the blue screen specifically asks for an OS, focusing on BIOS detection and reinstalling Windows will be the most effective path.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye