boot device not found.// Please install operating system on your hard disk. (3FO)

[computerdumb198]

let someone use my computer and it came back looking as if everything along with the operating system was erased it is still under warrenty but HP says their is a charge to help me. computer says boot device not found. please install operateing system on your hard disk. (3FO)

[IT_WinSec]

Hi @computerdumb198

Welcome to the HP Support forum.

You get this message because either of these:

- Computer's BIOS is not configured correctly and it tries to boot from a device (not standard HDD) that has no bootable stuff on it (e.g. empty USB pen drive)

- there is no eMMC storage drive present in the PC  (less likely because I doubt this person disassembled the device)

- eMMC is present but corrupted (or some connector is not working)

- Operating system (e.g. Windows) is totally corrupt/unbootable

You can review the official HP article about such issues > http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c01443463

We need to find the root cause.

Please, perform some basic hardware checks

1. Please, shutdown the computer using the power button

2. Power it on.

2.1 As soon as you press the power-on button, immediately begin hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

3. Choose F2 to open System Diagnostics (or the respective F option to run diagnostics).

Follow the on-screen instructions to perform System Test >> Quick test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JXUp43ahHA

If there are no system checks/no quick tests, perform Run in test

or HDD (hard disk drive) and RAM (memory) check.

Let me know the test results.

4. Reset BIOS settings to default... Repeat steps 1-2 above but when HP Startup menu opens, please choose F10 to open BIOS setup.

Navigate through the BIOS and find the option to load default settings/configuration/reset BIOS settings to default.

Make sure you also check/review the Boot options - Secure Boot, Legacy Mode, etc...  By default Secure Boot is enabled

Save the changes.

Exit the BIOS saving the changes.

Let me know how it goes.

[computerdumb198]

I have done both processes the tests all passed and no difference with the restore defaults. It like windows is gone completely.

[kyle_b]

You could boot from a recovery USB to restore the notebook to the factory configuration.  If you did not create a recovery USB previously, you could order one from HP.  Lastly, you could do a fresh installation of Windows 10 using the downloadable installation image from Microsoft, instructions are here.

[IT_WinSec]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.

Double check the BIOS settings for Secure Boot/Legacy mode:

1) Ensure Secure Boot is enabled and Legacy Mode disabled. Save the changes. Restart, confirm with the code and see if PC will boot

If the above does not work, again load BIOS (F10). try with Secure Boot disabled and Legacy Mode enabled. Restart, confirm with the code and see if PC will boot

2) If the above also does not work and as all hardware tests pass, this will mean Windows is corrupted/no operating system is present and you will need to restore Windows (reinstall operating system).

Let me know if you how to do it and how to reinstall it.

[computerdumb198]

I have tried the processes you speak of. System log shows 03F0 AND 0021. I dont know where the 0021 came from. It seems to me windows is gone if you could kindly share the process of reloading windows that would be awsome. Thank you for your help.

[IT_WinSec]

---

@computerdumb198 wrote:
if you could kindly share the process of reloading windows that would be awsome. Thank you for your help.

---

Sure,

If you do not have your own recovery drive or Windows installation media, you need to obtain HP Recovery media (Recovery USB). It contains Windows operating system, drivers, some preinstalled apps and will restore your PC to factory default condition. It costs about 30 $.

Please, visit this website >>https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-stream-11-y000-laptop-pc/12499227/model/12716822

Select your OS (Microsoft/Windows/Windows 10). When drivers list load, scroll down to "Order Recovery Media - CD/DVD/USB" and click on it to expand it

Click on "Order Media"

Confirm your PC model and modification

Fill in the customer information, shipping information, other info to confirm shipping/payment/etc

Once you receive the USB recovery drive:

- plug in it

- start the PC and beging tapping Esc

- from HP boot menu, press F9

- select to boot from the USB

- complete the on-screen insctructions

Here are details >> http://hp.dezide.com/ts/start.jsp?guide=HPSystemRecovery.net&section=ccweb&sfs=tdoc&lc=en&language=e...

After successful recovery:

- uninstall McAfee products if they are present

- update your Windows

Only after that you can proceed with other things

.

Let me know if this helps and how it goes.

[computerdumb198]

I am not paying hp another penny for anything. It's under warrenty. And even if it was not their is no reason you shouldn't support me it wouldn't cost hp nothing.

[IT_WinSec]

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@computerdumb198 wrote:
I am not paying hp another penny for anything. It's under warrenty. And even if it was not their is no reason you shouldn't support me it wouldn't cost hp nothing.

---

I feel sorry about your frustration.

With all due respect but I did support you, did volunteer my time and did provide a solution for your problem which is probably caused due to the fact that you let someone else use your PC and they did who knows what. I am a volunteer here and I do not work for HP Inc.

If the computer is under active warranty, you can contact HP Support directly and ask for support options :

>> https://support.hp.com/us-en

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

You can bring or ship the device to an authorized service center of HP.

If you want to fix the problem on your own and as mentioned above, you need to order HP Recovery media for your PC only if you do not have your own already.

Computers nowadays (for the past 5-10 years) do not ship with recovery media. Recovery options are included (built-in) into the PC. HP provides recovery partition and there are plenty of options (all free) to create recovery media for your PC such as HP Recovery, Windows system images, 3rd party tools for imaging, etc.  Since you haven't created your own while the PC was still working properly and bootable, you need to obtain a new one. And this is what costs money (not much) - e.g. service, shipping costs, USB drive itself, etc... This is the official solution.

I hope this helps.

[DaveSeattle2]

I am having this issue on my Pavilion All in One and the F11 step will not register. It sounds like I need to order recovery usb though no longer looks to be an option on the link provided ... only download options