[SOLVED] Operating System not Found Screen

[Robopredinator]

Last week, I left my desktop computer on and came back to a black screen with some variation of "Operating System Not Found." I don't recall the message word-for-word as my memory has been "muddied" up reading other's reported black/blue screen error messages. I believe it went on to say no operating system or boot device was found on the hard drive. Fearing my hard drive is beginning to fail, I shut down the computer and ordered (and upgraded from a SSHD) to a SSD. The next day, I turned on the computer and it took noticeably longer to boot up but everything seems to be running OK as far as I can tell.

Is there anything I should do, test or rule out before I switch out to a new hard drive? It's been awhile since I backed up the data in my current hard drive and would love to perform a backup but nervous to do so in the event that my hard drive is on the brink of death.

Please advise the best course of action to take. Much appreciated!

 

[RARRAF]

fresh install is best but if you need the OS as is then just copy the existing OS with "macrium reflect" https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree its very nice software to use and explains what its going to do before hand but always nice to have a look on youtube first.

 

[Robopredinator]

Thank you RARRAF for your feedback! I will take your recommendation of doing a fresh install instead of cloning my current hard drive. As for the files on that drive - what would be the safest way of transferring that data onto my new SSD in your opinion?

 

[Robopredinator]

Could anyone advise as to which is the preferred/safest method of transferring my files onto a new SSD or possibly another recommendation?

1. Backup files onto an external hard drive with the old failing hard drive in computer.
2. After fresh install of OS on new SSD, connect old hard drive to computer thru USB adapter and transfer files.

Many thanks.

 

[USAFRet]

Could anyone advise as to which is the preferred/safest method of transferring my files onto a new SSD or possibly another recommendation?

1. Backup files onto an external hard drive with the old failing hard drive in computer.
2. After fresh install of OS on new SSD, connect old hard drive to computer thru USB adapter and transfer files.

Many thanks.

If possible, copy your personal data OFF the old drive first.

Connecting the old OS drive later runs into permissions problems. Your personal files in the 'Libraries' folders are linked to the old user(s).
You can work around it. But if you can prevent that issue completely, why not.

 

[Cbusenke]

Do you know what's on the ssd partition of the sshd and what's on the safer hdd? I'd assume data is recoverable off the hdd platters if you had to? Or is yours set up such that if the ssd goes all is lost? If it's not a ton of critical information, I'd buy some e-storage, upload it to a cloud where it'll always(well, for the most part) be accessible in case of emergency. I wouldn't leave your computer on for long periods of time anymore. Your sure there wasn't a software update, reboot and it tried to boot off a USB stick you had plugged in ?

 

[USAFRet]

Do you know what's on the ssd partition of the sshd and what's on the safer hdd? I'd assume data is recoverable off the hdd platters if you had to? Or is yours set up such that if the ssd goes all is lost? If it's not a ton of critical information, I'd buy some e-storage, upload it to a cloud where it'll always(well, for the most part) be accessible in case of emergency. I wouldn't leave your computer on for long periods of time anymore. Your sure there wasn't a software update, reboot and it tried to boot off a USB stick you had plugged in ?

On an SSHD, there is no "2 parts".
The solid state portion just serves as a fast cache for the HDD portion. You can't read the SSD part independently.
The OS just see a single drive space.

 

[Robopredinator]

If possible, copy your personal data OFF the old drive first.

Connecting the old OS drive later runs into permissions problems. Your personal files in the 'Libraries' folders are linked to the old user(s).
You can work around it. But if you can prevent that issue completely, why not.

Thank you. I took your advice and just finished transferring the files onto an external storage device. I did not foresee running into permission problems so I'm glad you gave me the heads up.

Do you know what's on the ssd partition of the sshd and what's on the safer hdd? I'd assume data is recoverable off the hdd platters if you had to? Or is yours set up such that if the ssd goes all is lost? If it's not a ton of critical information, I'd buy some e-storage, upload it to a cloud where it'll always(well, for the most part) be accessible in case of emergency. I wouldn't leave your computer on for long periods of time anymore. Your sure there wasn't a software update, reboot and it tried to boot off a USB stick you had plugged in ?

My Windows update history shows no update during the time the error message was received. With regard to data within partitions - I have no clue to be honest.

 

[Robopredinator]

I took USAFRet's recommendation and successfully transferred my data onto an external storage device - I'm breathing a bit easier now! I plan on installing the SSD this weekend and reading up as much as I can so that the process is a success. I came across this video on YouTube where he mentions downloading the motherboard's network drivers onto a separate USB storage device @ 02:18.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl6SeLSyztw&ab_channel=PCGamesN


I'm not understanding what I should be doing here and how to correct this issue if I run into this problem. Could someone explain this process?

I've linked my Windows 10 Home product with my Microsoft account so that I can activate the Windows OS after install. Anything else I should do?

Again, much appreciated.

 

[USAFRet]

He is recommending finding and saving the LAN driver, because there is a small chance windows won't install the correct one..
Then, you'd have no connection and no way to get it.

Here is a better installation tutorial:

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[Robopredinator]

Thank you for the tutorial link. I don't see any mention of saving LAN drivers - how to save and when/how to use saved LAN drivers during fresh install.
EDIT* I believe I found the source for my Network LAN drivers here: https://support.hp.com/us-en/driver...p-pc-series/6879108/model/6888179?sku=F3E94AA Shouldn't I just go ahead and download all the software and drivers? *EDIT

Looking at the tutorial, I see that I should disable SECURE BOOT and FAST BOOT in the BIOS/UEFI settings and to ensure the BIOS is set to UEFI or compatibility mode. That's where I'm iffy about. I entered BIOS mode and I'm not quite sure how to verify this.

Pressing F9 for BOOT DEVICE OPTIONS this is what I see:

https://imgur.com/ljaZy6Q

View: https://imgur.com/ljaZy6Q



Pressing F10 for BIOS SETUP I came upon these related folders:

https://imgur.com/wUK1gm2

View: https://imgur.com/wUK1gm2

https://imgur.com/QuwMXlV

View: https://imgur.com/QuwMXlV

https://imgur.com/U8VIGMC

View: https://imgur.com/U8VIGMC


Does everything look OK?