Hard disk not exist

[bw16254]

Help! hp laptop will not start up. hp logo comes on with message "press esc key for start-up menu" when I press esc a screen comes up that says " Boot device not found Please install an operating system on your hard disk Hard Disk - (3FO)" When I press F2 for system diagnostics and press F4 for Hard disk Test it says "Hard Disk Not Exist". Can this be repaired? Do I need a new hard drive? The laptop is two years old and warranty has expired. Is it worth fixing? Please help.

 

[COLGeek]

Could be a defective HDD or a defective SATA controller, or the SATA/power connection.

If it is the HDD, that is easy to replace, just buy a new one and re-install Windows and your applications.

If the SATA controller, the motherboard will have to be replaced.

If the SATA cable/power cable, those can be replaced.

Try this first, remove the HDD and then re-seat it. Try again.

 

[bw16254]

Thanks! It works great after reseating the hard drive!

 

[bw16254]

Best answer selected by bw16254.