The selected boot device failed. Press <enter> to continue. [ok]

[Takoateli]

I'm working on a family member's computer. The problem is when it's turned on it says "The selected boot device failed. Press <enter> to continue. [ok]". I assumed that pressing <enter> would take me to the bios, but when I press <enter> the unit powers off. I'm assuming this is more serious than just a hard drive failure since it's not going to the bios.

<update>

Google told me that pressing <esc> gets me to the boot menu. It worked. I'm running diags now.

<update 2>

Diags say the hard drive is dead. That agrees with the symptoms.

<update 3>

I replaced the hard drive and the problem still exists. Aparently the problem is the SATA controller on the mother board. There's no way to tell other than replacing the HD and see if that fixes it. If it doesn't you just bought a hard drive for nothing.

[IT_WinSec]

@Takoateli

Welcome back to the HP Support forum.

You did a great research and found the root cause on your own.

Unfortunately, since this is faulty HDD/hardware component, you will probably not be able to recovery your files. If you want to attempt data recovery, please let me know and I may post additional instructions.

Here are your options on fixing the problem:

1) If your computer is still under warranty, please contact HP Support and inform them. They will work with you about the way to replace the faulty component.  Contact HP:

>> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp

2) If your computer is with warranty period expired, you will need to replace the faulty HDD - buy new one on your own. There are variety of options - vendors you can choose from. You can get it online or from PC retail store, or from HP parts store http://partsurfer.hp.com/

You need HDD with the very same size as the current one or bigger (small will not work) - e.g. if your current HDD is with 1TB capacity, your new HDD/SDD sho uldalso be 1 TB or with bigger capacity.  I recommend you consider HDDs with RPM 7200 as they as slightly faster, 5400 RPM is slower >> https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/r/rpm.htm

*** How to replace the faulty HDD with new HDD:  please, find info and instruction in your computer's manual or watch YouTube videos examples for your HP model. 

Here is the service manual for your model

>> http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03591253

page 48/56

If you do not want to do this on your own, please bring the computer (or ship it) to HP Authorized Service Center where the technicians will do this for you. If you are not sure where such a center is located, check these or contact HP for assistance in finding the nearest one for you:

>> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00372730

>> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/store-finder/find.do?bs=SR4&type=authorized

3) Last part - once you replace the faulty component - you will need to reinstall back your operating system - Windows or another.

Find below instructions how to reinstall Windows 10 back >

Please, let me know how it goes and do post back if you need assistance. Looking forward to your feeback/reply.

[IT_WinSec]

Here are instructions how to clean install/reinstall Windows 10:

Video reference >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAvFm52IjI4

Windows reinstallation / clean installation :

- You can directly download Windows 10 ISO from MS site or download >> Media creation tool from Microsoft site, create installation DVD or installation USB  and  proceed with clean installation/reinstallation.

Download:

>> https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

Make sure you select the proper version (64 bit / Home or Pro) if asked.

Media Creation tool will always provide you with the latest Windows version/build - now 1709 Fall Creators Update.

- When download completes, you will need to write  the ISO image and boot from a bootable media. You will need a blank USB pendrive (min 4 GB capacity). Use the Media Creation tool.

When ready with the USB drive or with the DVD:

Please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Windows USB thumdrive prepared previously

Power on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, start hitting the Esc button repeatedly (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the USB thumb drive as a boot option.

- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10. Perform clean installation/custom installation (not repair).

Delete all existing partitions and install Windows on Disc 0 Unallocated space

- After successful Windows installation, install drivers taken from HP web site or via Windows Update/Device Manager >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03330139

- Make sure Windows is Activated by going to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Activation

- You might want to stop some of the Windows Telemetry by using free tools such as Spybot AntiBeacon or DWS Lite

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes

[Takoateli · Accepted solution]

Thanks to everone who posted. Unfortunately the problem is on the motherboard so it's game over.