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- Hard disk not found please reinstall operating system

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01-28-2021 04:44 PM
Hi, out of nowhere I got the blue screen of death and then the laptop restarted with the message 'boot device not found please reinstall operating system hard disk 3fo'
I have reset the settings to default, ensured its set to legacy and have attempted to run a hard disk scan but it doesn't even allow me to do so as it just says no hard drive installed, please check that the power and data cables are connected properly'
My laptop is now also making a clicking sound where it didn't before.
I'm a loss on what to do.
01-28-2021 05:20 PM
IF your laptop came with Windows 10 already installed, it came configured in UEFI mode -- and your changing it to Legacy will only ensure that it will NOT boot into Windows anymore.
The clicking sound is generally an indication of a failed drive -- and one this bad is likely not to be seen when the diagnostics are run. Your drive needs to be replaced.
Once you have the replacement drive, read the information below about HP Could Recovery to be used to restore your PC to working condition:
If your PC is a 2016 model or newer, you should see if you can make a bootable USB recovery drive using the HP cloud recovery tool on a working PC. The recovery drive can then be used to install Win10 and the HP drivers and utilities that originally came with your PC. Here is the link: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06162205
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If the HP Cloud Recovery is not available or does not work, you may have to look into ordering HP Recovery Media -- which is a set of DVDs and a CD, or USB stick, that will erase the hard drive (removing all data, settings, and applications, reinstall the original OS, drivers, and some HP Utilities. You have to order these from HP; they can not be downloaded.
You can look online for Recovery Media starting with the linked paged: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers
Once there, input your Product name or number. On your Software and Drivers Download page, select your Operating System and and Version. Click "Update"
If HP Recovery Media is available for your machine, down near the bottom of the page, you will see an entry for Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB. Click the + symbol to expand that entry and click on Order Media for details.
Or, if you prefer, you can do the same by contacting HP Customer Support:
https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp?openCLC=true
I am a volunteer and I do not work for, nor represent, HP