error ‘boot device not found’ Hard Disk 3FO.

[LindsayDee]

When I turn my computer on it gives me an error ‘boot device not found’ Hard Disk 3FO. I have tried to change booting order but do not have a slot for a disk.  when I do the diagnostics test it only give me the options of memory test or storage tests. 

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@LindsayDee 

Ordinarily, when a laptop no longer boots into Windows, this means that the boot records (known as the BCD) have become corrupted due to a failing drive and running diagnostics confirms this to be the case. Folks then replace the laptop drive, use the HP Cloud Recovery option and a 32GB USB stick to make recovery media, boot their laptop from that media and do a full restore.

With this PC, this is a much more difficult situation.

First, this PC does not actually have a laptop hard drive. Instead, it has a memory stick configured to work like a "disk drive" -- so, it has a stick of EMMC memory instead of an HDD. This is very small, usually 32GB, so it is too small to do any major Windows Updates since Windows takes up nearly all of the "drive".

Second, the SSD, unlike the SATA SSDs in other laptops, can not be replaced by the consumer. So, when it fills up, you can't replace it with a larger one. And when it fails, you can't replace it with a new one.

Thus, you can try running diagnostics to test the drive -- but if it fails, you will have to take this PC to a laptop repair facility to have them replace the SSD. You can not replace it yourself.

[LindsayDee]

Thank you for your feed back and insight. I do not know much about computers so I felt overwhelmed with this problem and didn’t know where to start with getting it resolved. I’ve only had this computer for a few year and barely used it except for school stuff.  A little concerned that with very little usage that this happened so quickly. I will have to see about getting the SSD replaced or just look for a new computer for my kids to use for school. 
I really appreciate your help!