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Hi I’m looking for some help. I tried to restore my laptop to factory settings last night. The laptop lost power overnight and now when I turn it on it states “an operating system can’t be found”. The laptop didn’t come with a recovery cd. Could anyone help please ?!
Stuart, before you start working on the hard ware, I suggest that you run the HP diagnsotics test. I do agree with RvD23 in that it sounds like a hard drive error or corrupted MBR Try this and let us know what you find out: Using Advanced System Diagnostics Advanced System Diagnostics allows you to run diagnostic tests to determine if the computer hardware is functioning properly. The following diagnostic tests are available in Advanced System Diagnostics: ●Start-up test—This test analyzes the main computer components that are required to start the computer. ●Run-in test—This test repeats the start-up test and checks for intermittent problems that the start-up test does not detect. ●Hard disk test—This test analyzes the physical condition of the hard drive, and then checks all data in every sector of the hard drive. If the test detects a damaged sector, it attempts to move the data to a good sector. ●Memory test—This test analyzes the physical condition of the memory modules. If it reports an error, replace the memory modules immediately. ●Battery test—This test analyzes the condition of the battery and calibrates the battery if necessary. If the battery fails the test, contact HP Customer Support to report the issue and purchase a replacement battery. ●System Tune-Up—This group of additional tests checks your computer to make sure that the main components are functioning correctly. System Tune-Up runs longer and more comprehensive tests on memory modules, hard drive SMART attributes, the hard drive surface, the battery (and battery calibration), video memory, and the WLAN module status. You can view system information and error logs in the Advanced System Diagnostics window. To start Advanced System Diagnostics: 1.Turn on or restart the computer. While the “Press the ESC key for Startup Menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press esc. When the Startup Menu is displayed, press f2. 2.Click the diagnostic test you want to run, and then follow the on-screen instructions. Hope this helps, good luck
OK, You can try to look up in BIOS:
- Is the harddisk is still recognized by the system?
- Is the harddisk in the start up sequence and on 1st position? If it is not recognized by BIOS, the harddisk is curropt and you have to replace it. If it is recognized and in the startup-sequence on 1st position, and it is still not working, you need a repair cd or thumb-drive. You can use any windows 7 or 8 cd to try to repair.
this can be a possibilty that the HD can be physicall damaged or your HD can be fine but a virus or corruption won’t let you access your data and the operating system what you can try to do is open up your computer and remember to disconnect your computer and when that is done press the power button because your computer can still have a little bit of electricity when the power cable is disconnected, and ground yourself by touching the metal part…. once that is done disconnect the hard drive and use a known good drive and reinstall the operating system if your old drive is physically dead… now if the drive is fine but a virus or a corruption occured just reinstall the operation system this will removed all of your data if you have some data you want to keep I hope you backed up your information.
