[Solved] Missing operating system

[mtav]

Computer has been working fine with Vista for three years but switched on today with message on black screen "Missing operating system". What should I do?

[KenB]

Hi

 

Is this a laptop or desktop ?

 

This could be linked to the BIOS, the hard disk itself or the Master Boot Record.

 

Switch on and tap F2 or sometimes it is the DEL key.

It will say ....."press -- to enter Setup" usually bottom left of screen shortly after you switch on.

 

Check in the BIOS to see if the hard drive is recognised.

It will look a bit like this:

[mtav]

Thanks, KenB.

 

Primary IDE Master, Primary IDE Slave and SATA1 are all shown as 'None', so I guess the answer is that the hard drive is not recognised. Other lines are:

SATA2. Samsung HD753LJ

SATA3. TSSTcorp CDDVDW

SATA4. HL-DT-ST BDDVDRW

 

Regards, Mike

[mtav]

PS. It's a desktop.

[KenB]

Hi,

Primary IDE Master, Primary IDE Slave

These show "None" because you don't have an IDE hard drive yours are SATA. ( different type )

 

SATA2. Samsung HD753LJ

This looks to be your hard drive.

What I cannot understand is why it is located in the SATA 2 port and not SATA 1.

 

SATA 3 & 4 are your DVD & CD drives.

 

Switch off at the wall - leave the plug in.

Take the side panel off and touch the bare metal chassis to discharge any static in you.

 

Take a look at the motherboard - there will be wires coming from the DVD/CD Drives and hard drive and connecting to the motherboard.

There will be 4 SATA connections on the board.

3 are accounted for.

Is there anything in the SATA 1 socket?

[mtav]

SATA 1 is empty, SATA 2 is the 750GB hard drive.

 

In moving the cables to see the sockets I inadvertently unplugged a connector, but it is probably for S/PDIF Out (which I don't use) so it shouldn't affect the hard drive.

[KenB]

Thanks for confirming that.

The BIOS is picking up your Hard Drive.

 

Try the following:

Switch on and immediately start tapping F8 about once per second.

You should see this screen:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]625.vB5-legacyid=1313[/ATTACH]

 

Select Repair Your Computer

Follow the screen prompts.

If it asks for a password and you have not set one leave this blank

 

You should get to here:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]626.vB5-legacyid=1315[/ATTACH]

 

Select Startup Repair.

It will check and attempt to repair any problems it finds.

=======================

 

If that fails you now need to check the drive itself.

To do this it needs to be attached to another system.

 

Take the drive out.

It will be held in with (probably) 4 small screws. 2 either side.

You will need to disconnect the power and data cables from it.

It should then slide out.

 

You can use the SATA data cable if you have another desktop and use a power connection from the PSU of the 2nd desktop.

 

OR

 

You need a 3.5 inch SATA to USB Adapter.

Similar to this.

Click Here

Or an enclosure ( Caddy ) similar to this:

Click Here

If you are happy to continue down this route let me know.

[mtav]

Brilliant, KenB. Tapping F8 didn't bring up the predicted screen but instead one asking me to select the boot drive (or something like that). Chose SATA 2 and after a bit of fiddling about all is now well. Thanks for your help. As previously, FPCH response has been speedy and detailed. And worked! Will make another donation.

[KenB]

Excellent - I am happy to hear that you are up-and-running again :)

 

I think the fact that your system could not boot took you directly to the "Repair" options when tapping F8.