Seeing a “No Bootable Device Error” pop up can really throw a wrench in your day. It’s a common problem that might happen for a few reasons. Issues like wrong BIOS settings, broken cables, or a bad hard drive are usually to blame.
Fortunately, you often don’t need a tech expert to fix this error. Start by looking at your BIOS settings and making sure cables are tight. You might also need to fix a broken MBR to get Windows to start right. But, if things look bleak, tools like Wondershare Recoverit could get back lost data from a computer that won’t boot.
What Does No Bootable Device Mean?
When your computer shows a “No Bootable Device” error, it means there’s a major problem starting up. The computer can’t find a drive with the needed files to boot up. There are various reasons why this error might appear.
Definition of a Bootable Device
A bootable device includes hardware like a hard drive, SSD, USB drive, or CD/DVD. These contain the boot files and drivers to start an operating system. Without the right bootable device, your computer can’t start, causing error messages.
It’s important to know what a bootable device is, especially for fixing these errors. Some devices, like SSDs, work perfectly for solving boot problems with certain cables like the Startech USB312SAT3CB or Ugreen 20231.
Understanding BIOS and Its Role
The BIOS is the program that starts your computer’s hardware and helps load the operating system. It manages the boot-up sequence and checks for a bootable device. If the BIOS doesn’t find a bootable device, you’ll see an error.
Having the BIOS work right is key. This might mean you need to update the BIOS settings or check the boot order.
Common Messages and Errors Related
There are a few usual errors that pop up when there’s a bootable device issue. Messages you might see include:
- “No bootable device – insert boot disk and press any key”
- “Boot Device Not Found. Please install an operating system on your hard disk. Hard Disk (3F0)”
- “No Boot Device Found. Press any key to reboot the machine”
- “PXE-MOF: Exiting PXE ROM”
These errors can happen for many reasons like wrong boot order, a bad MBR, or problems with the hard disk connection. Tools like MiniTool Partition Wizard are great for checking and fixing hard drives. This is especially true for brands like HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Acer.
Common Causes of No Bootable Device Error
The “No Bootable Device Error” can happen for many reasons. It messes with how your computer starts up. Understanding these reasons helps fix the problem fast. It could be due to incorrect boot settings, a damaged Master Boot Record, or a failing hard drive.
Incorrect Boot Order
Often, a wrong boot order in the BIOS leads to this error. This mistake causes about 60% of these errors. If the computer tries to start from the wrong place, it won’t find the system it needs. Making sure the BIOS checks the right drive first can fix this issue.
Corrupted MBR (Master Boot Record)
A broken Master Boot Record (MBR) is another big reason for this error. It stops your computer from finding its boot info. This problem might happen because of viruses, bad software, or sudden shutdowns. To fix the MBR, you might need special tools or to use command prompts.
Faulty Hard Drive or SSD
A bad hard drive or SSD can also cause this error. This might happen from physical damage, bad cables, or just old age. About 15% of errors come from the computer not seeing the boot disk. Regular checks and secure cable connections can help prevent hard drive issues.
How to Check Hard Drive Connection
Checking your hard drive’s connection can fix the “No Bootable Device” error. This issue often comes from a loose or disconnected cable. By simply checking the connection, you might solve the problem.
Steps to Verify Connection
Checking your hard drive’s connection is easy. You can do it at home without much tech knowledge. Here’s what to do:
- Power Off and Unplug: First, turn off your computer and unplug it. This is for your safety.
- Open the Computer Case: Open your computer’s case or back panel. This depends on whether you have a desktop or laptop.
- Locate the Hard Drive: Find your hard drive inside the computer. It’s usually in a drive bay, connected with SATA cables.
- Check and Secure Connections: Make sure all cables, especially the SATA cables, are tight. They should be connected well to both the hard drive and motherboard.
- Reassemble and Power On: After checking, put your computer back together. Plug it in and turn it on to check if it works.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’re still seeing the “No Bootable Device” error, get professional help. Some problems, like internal damage, need a technician’s touch. They ensure your hardware connections are right, your warranty stays valid, and your computer runs smoothly.
Setting the Boot Order in BIOS
To fix the “No Bootable Device” error, setting up the boot order in BIOS correctly is key. This guide is for Dell systems like the OptiPlex 3060 Tower and Precision 3430 Small Form Factor. It will show you how to do it.
Entering BIOS Setup
To enter the BIOS setup entry, restart your computer and press a specific key. This key could be F2, F10, or Del during the POST sequence. If you have a 7th-generation Coffee Lake processor, remember it only works with UEFI boot mode. Choosing Legacy boot will not work.
Adjusting Boot Order
Inside the BIOS, find the “Boot” tab. Here, the boot order setting tells the order devices will boot in. It’s often listed under Boot Options, Boot Order, or Advanced Options. Change the boot sequence so your system hard drive is first. Use + or – keys to move the sequence.
Saving and Exiting BIOS
After modifying boot priority, remember to save your changes. You usually do this with the F10 key but check as systems differ. After saving, exit the BIOS. Let your computer restart. It will try to boot from the first device in the new order. This will fix the error if the order was wrong.
With these steps, your computer will boot correctly. This fixes the “No Bootable Device” error and makes sure your system is set right for your needs.
Repairing Corrupted MBR
Seeing a “No Bootable Device” message often points to an issue like a ruined MBR (Master Boot Record). We’ll discuss fixing this with Windows Installation Media and Command Prompt here.
Using Windows Installation Media
To begin fixing, you need Windows Installation Media. This might be a USB or a DVD with Windows setup files. Put this media into your computer and start it up. If it doesn’t start on its own, you might have to change some settings.
Restart your PC and press a key to get into BIOS/UEFI (often Delete, F2, or another key). Find the boot order settings. Make the Windows Installation Media the top choice. Then, save and exit.
After your PC starts from the media, choose your language and click “Next.” Hit “Repair your computer” to find the Advanced Options. There, select “Troubleshoot” and then “Command Prompt.”
Executing Command Prompt Commands
Now, at the Command Prompt, you’re ready to fix the MBR. Enter these commands one after the other, hitting Enter each time:
bootrec /fixmbrbootrec /fixbootbootrec /scanosbootrec /rebuildbcd
These steps repair the Master Boot Record and deal with its corruption. After this, restart your computer. See if you’re still getting the boot device error. If you are, you might need more help. But often, these steps through Windows Installation Media and Command Prompt can fix the MBR and get your computer working again.
Checking and Repairing System Files
Keeping your system files in good shape is key for a computer that runs well. This avoids getting a “No Bootable Device Error.” If system files are bad or missing, your computer might not start properly. The System File Checker (SFC) is a great tool to fix these problems.
Using SFC /scannow Command
The SFC scannow command is really helpful in Windows. It checks and fixes damaged or missing Windows files. To use SFC scannow, here’s what you do:
- First, open Command Prompt as an admin. Search “cmd” in Windows, right-click Command Prompt, and choose “Run as administrator.”
- Then, in the Command Prompt, type
sfc /scannowand hit Enter. - Wait for the scan to finish. It might take a while as it checks and fixes files.
After it’s done, reboot your PC to see if that fixed the problem. The system file checker can solve many issues that stop Windows from booting up right.
Alternative Methods
If SFC scannow doesn’t fix everything, try other options. One is using CHKDSK to check and repair drive errors. Here’s how:
- Just like with SFC, start by opening Command Prompt as an admin.
- Next, type
chkdsk /f /rin Command Prompt and press Enter. - Then, restart your PC to let CHKDSK check your drive when it boots up.
Using these tools can keep your system and disk healthy. This reduces the risk of a “No Bootable Device Error.” It’s also wise to update your system regularly and back up files often. This keeps your PC in good shape.
By doing these things, you can repair Windows files and keep your computer running smoothly. This lessens the chance of problems. And it makes for a better PC experience.
Using Data Recovery Tools
When your computer won’t boot, reliable data recovery tools can save the day. They let you get back important data without needing your operating system. We’ll look at how to make a bootable USB drive, recover data from a non-working computer, and suggest some good software for this.
Creating a Bootable USB Drive
First, you need to create a bootable USB drive to get data from a dead computer. Tools like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard make it easy. Here’s what to do:
- Download and install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard on a computer that works.
- Put in a USB drive and open the software.
- Choose “Create a bootable USB drive” from the main screen.
- Follow instructions to finish the setup.
After making the USB, use it to get data from your computer that won’t start.
Recovering Data from Unbootable Computer
With your bootable USB ready, it’s time to get data from the dead computer. Do this:
- Plug the USB into the dead computer and turn it on.
- Get into the boot menu (by hitting F12, ESC, or another key).
- Pick the USB drive to start from.
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard will open, ready to find and save your data.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is great at getting back data, with a 99.7% success rate and a 4.7 Trustpilot score. It works well with many storage types like HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and SD cards.
Recommended Data Recovery Software
There are many good data recovery programs out there. Besides EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, check out these:
- Wondershare Recoverit: Easy to use, with strong scanning features.
- Stellar Data Recovery: Has many tools for finding lost or deleted files.
- Recuva: Good for simple data recovery without spending much.
If you’ve lost data because of a bad MBR or hard drive, these programs can help bring your files back from the brink.
Conclusion
The “No Bootable Device Error” shows up for many reasons. It can be a simple BIOS mistake or a major hardware problem. This article has shown various solutions, from checking hard drive connections to fixing the MBR with Windows installation media. By taking steps one by one, you can fix these errors and keep your work smooth.
To solve boot device errors, setting the BIOS right and finding corrupted files is key. You learned to do these checks. You also learned about other solutions like making the main partition Active and fixing the BCD file with Bootrec commands. These steps help, whether the problem is a small setting error or big hardware damage.
Keeping your data safe is very important when you troubleshoot. Tools like MyRecover help make sure you don’t lose data, while AOMEI Backupper Standard helps you make backups. If there are still issues after trying these steps, it’s wise to get help from a professional. This can help avoid more problems.
Knowing how to fix these problems lets you deal with boot device issues well. You can save important data and get your system working again. Having this knowledge reduces downtime and keeps you from long-term problems. So, being alert and ready turns the challenge of a “No Bootable Device Error” into a temporary, fixable problem.
