HP desktop BIOHD-3 Error

[AiMiRae]

Hi,
I had my desktop pc on and after a while I came back and it was on a black screen that said:
"Reboot and Select proper Boot device or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot Device and press a key".

I ignored this and restarted my computer & successfully got to my desktop. While surfing the internet normally, the computer froze and started a "diagnostic tools" test.

The Quad CPU test passed, Memory passed, and then it started testing drive: ST3750528AS (9VP29G2Y) which passed, hp DVD-RAM GH40L (941CD057586) which passed. Testing: Boot Path, Error Code: BIOHD-3. Warning: No bootable drives detected. Suggestion: Please contact HP Support. Press any key to continue.

I've never had a problem with this desktop, and I can't remember it ever freezing up on me or shutting down randomly. Please help I don't know what to do 🙁
Would resetting to factory settings fix the problem?

Product: HP
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 (64-bit)


edit: Restarting the computer and going to the desktop eventually freezes and takes me bak to the "reboot and select proper boot device...." message. I am in safemode trying to save my files to a usb before my computer messes up even more... 🙁 please help...

 

[Shaun o]

Ok two possible causes as to why.
The first one can relate to a bad power supply, or an aged one of some years.
That is why you may get random crashing or freezing in windows, but also when booting the system a drive fails to be detected and reported. In other words not enough voltage to power all the devices, HD CD, DVD drives.

A simple test is to take away power for example from the optical drive/ the 12v molex or sata style power feed from the Psu. If the system is stable after that test. It tells you the power supply in the system is becoming unstable.
By taking a slight load off it confirms it.

The second is the physical hard drive it`s self even if not the working OS drive.
If it is faulty then it will cause freezing of windows, since all drives are in constant use while in windows.
If the symptoms of freezing still happen then the drive in question may of developed a fault.
If a drive powers down in windows it will cause a system crash or a freeze, more so if the drive relating to the working OS like windows 7 because it is in constant use by windows.

 

[AiMiRae]

Hi Shaun,
I still don't know what to do to fix this.. i'm not super familiar with tech-y specifics. :s
any newbie-friendly advice on how to check if the power supply is bad or if the physical hard drive is messed up?