The “No boot disk has been detected or the disk has failed” error can stop your Windows PC from starting up properly. This issue occurs when your computer can’t find the necessary boot information on the hard drive to load the operating system. Let’s explore some effective ways to troubleshoot and fix this problem.
Check Physical Connections
Loose cable connections are a common culprit behind boot disk errors. Here’s how to check and secure the connections:
Step 1: Power off your computer completely and unplug it from the power source.
Step 2: Open your computer case carefully. For laptops, this may involve removing the bottom panel.
Step 3: Locate the hard drive and inspect its connections. Ensure both the data cable (usually SATA) and power cable are firmly seated.
Step 4: Gently disconnect and reconnect these cables to ensure a solid connection.
Step 5: Close up your computer case and reconnect the power.
Step 6: Attempt to boot your computer normally.
If the error persists, move on to the next method.
Verify Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI
Sometimes, an incorrect boot order can cause this error. Here’s how to check and correct it:
Step 1: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. This usually involves pressing a key like F2, F12, or Del during startup.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Boot” or “Boot Order” section.
Step 3: Ensure your main hard drive is listed as the first boot device.
Step 4: If needed, use the arrow keys to move your hard drive to the top of the boot order list.
Step 5: Save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing F10).
Step 6: Allow your computer to restart and see if the error is resolved.
Run Automatic Repair
Windows includes built-in repair tools that can fix many boot-related issues:
Step 1: Insert a Windows installation USB or DVD and boot from it.
Step 2: Choose your language preferences and click “Next”.
Step 3: Click “Repair your computer” instead of “Install now”.
Step 4: Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Automatic Repair or Startup Repair.
Step 5: Follow the on-screen prompts to allow Windows to attempt to fix the boot issue.
Step 6: Once complete, restart your computer normally.
Use Command Prompt Repair Tools
Advanced users can leverage powerful command-line tools to fix boot issues:
Step 1: Boot from Windows installation media as described in the previous method.
Step 2: Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
Step 3: Run the following commands in order, pressing Enter after each:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows
chkdsk c: /r
Step 4: Wait for each command to complete. This may take some time.
Step 5: When finished, type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt.
Step 6: Restart your computer and check if the boot issue is resolved.
Rebuild Boot Configuration Data (BCD)
If the boot configuration data is corrupted, rebuilding it can often solve boot issues:
Step 1: Boot into the Command Prompt using Windows installation media as described earlier.
Step 2: Run these commands in sequence, pressing Enter after each:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
Step 3: After each command completes, restart your computer.
Step 4: If prompted to add an installation to the boot list, type Y and press Enter.
Step 5: Exit the Command Prompt and restart your computer normally.
Check for Hard Drive Failure
If none of the above methods work, your hard drive might be failing. Here’s how to check:
Step 1: If possible, connect your hard drive to another working computer as a secondary drive.
Step 2: Open Command Prompt as an administrator on the working computer.
Step 3: Type the following command and press Enter:
wmic diskdrive get model,status
Step 4: Check the status of your drive. If it shows “OK”, the drive is likely fine. If it shows “Caution” or “Pred Fail”, your drive may be failing.
Step 5: If the drive is failing, back up any important data immediately and consider replacing the drive.
By following these methods, you should be able to resolve most instances of the “No boot disk detected” error. If you’re still experiencing issues, it may be time to consult with a professional technician or consider a fresh Windows installation.
Remember to always back up your important data regularly to prevent loss in case of unexpected boot failures or hard drive issues.