How to get rid of the Operating system not found error. The operating system was not found - An operating system wasn't found On the laptop it says operating system not found

Sometimes Windows Update fails and the operating system stops loading. This can also happen when more than one version of Windows is being installed on the same computer. We offer one of the options for solving the problem with loading the system.

To perform a computer recovery procedure, you will need a Windows installation CD or Recovery CD for Windows.

Insert the Windows disc into the drive
Restart PC
Enter BIOS
Change boot order - priority to boot from CD/DVD
Save and restart your computer
Select a language and then click "Next"
Click on the System Restore button
Select the operating system, most likely there will be only one system in the list, then click the "Next" button again
Select "Use recovery tools" that can help fix problems with Windows and click "Next"
Click "Start Repair"

Your computer will restart again. Take the disk and change the boot order in the BIOS back to the hard disk first. Windows should boot up.

At this point, try running Windows Updates again and see what is needed to install them. If the problem occurs again, try repeating the first 8 steps above. After selecting the operating system, click the Next button,

Click "Open Command Prompt".
Enter " FIXMBR" (in Windows XP) or " Bootrec.exe / FIXMBR" (in Windows 7).
Press Enter .

Restart your computer and check which of the recovery options worked.

Please note that if your operating system does not appear when choosing a system, then most likely your hard drive is faulty. There is only one way out - replacing the hard drive with a working HDD.

Hardly anyone needs to explain how unpleasant this situation is. Just imagine, you turn on your laptop or computer and suddenly find that the system on the screen instead of the usual start gives an error message Operating System not found.

This situation can shock many users. Why? After all, yesterday everything was working fine ... What could have caused the problem and how can the situation be corrected? Let's try to understand this issue.

What does the Operating System not found error mean?

If we consider the message itself, then it can be translated as "operating system not found." However, the user is absolutely sure that it is. But the computer does not share the user's confidence. It does not find the components that are responsible for booting the system. Such situations most often appear when users change the hard drive on the computer. Maybe the hard drive just failed. Here are the most popular causes of this problem.

Possible reasons

If the system began to issue the message Operating System not found, do not panic. First of all, check if a flash drive is inserted into the laptop or computer. This problem often occurs when the USB device is prioritized in the BIOS settings. If you removed the hard drive or changed it to a new one, it is possible that when you reconnect, you incorrectly or did not completely connect the corresponding cables. Let's see what can be done in such a situation.

BIOS settings

The easiest way to change BIOS settings is to reset all settings to factory defaults. This setting should be in all BIOS versions. As a last resort, you can try changing the boot priority in the Boot Device Priority or Boot Sequence section. You can install a hard drive as the first main boot device. However, there are situations when the hard drive is detected in the BIOS, but booting from it is not performed. The system gives the Operating System not found error again and again. How to be in this case? First, check if there is an exclamation mark next to the hard drive model.

This may signal that the device is present in the system, but is not used or disabled. In most BIOS versions, as a rule, there is a special device help field (Specific Item Help). It contains a keyboard shortcut with which you can enable or disable any component. Most often, Shift + 1 is used as such a combination. Here everything will depend on the manufacturer - the combinations may be different.

Switching modes in BIOS UEFI

The appearance of the Operating System not found warning on a laptop with a hard drive removed does not bode well. It is worth paying special attention to the settings of the hard disk operating modes. As an example, consider the settings of the latest UEFI system, although they can be used without problems in other versions. In a SATA configuration, there are generally two main modes, IDE and AHCI. When you first install the operating system, AHCI is enabled by default.

You can try as much as you like, but installing Windows on a hard drive is unlikely to succeed. The same applies to those moments when, at the end of the installation process, users accidentally turn on the IDE mode. The system in this case gives an error Operating System not found. If at the moment you put another fully functional screw without changing the SATA settings to the initial ones, it will not work. It is worth immediately advising users to change these settings only as a last resort, when it is really necessary.

Restoring the Windows Boot Loader

It is not uncommon for the Operating System not found error to appear when the Windows bootloader is damaged. This may be due not only to hard drive errors in case of an incorrect shutdown. It is clear that the whole system can “fly off” in this case. In this situation, you can try to restore the bootloader, as well as check the system partition or disk for errors. To do this, it is advisable to have the original installation disk or system recovery disk at hand.

Then you will need to set the optical drive as a priority boot device in the BIOS, and then use the recovery console. It is worth noting that in this option there is no question of restoring Windows from a checkpoint. This will not help in any way, and the message Operating System not found will appear again and again. Then you will need to use the command line or boot recovery mode. At the command line, you must enter two commands in sequence - bootrec.exe /FixMbr and bootrec.exe /FixBoot.

After entering each command, you must press "Enter". If this sequence of actions is not effective, then you can also use the bootrec.exe /RebuildBcd command. Before performing such actions, it is recommended to check the disk for errors with the possibility of automatic correction. You can also try using the chkntfs /x c: checker, provided there is an NTFS file system on the system partition (drive C).

What to do if the measures described above are ineffective? In this case, you will definitely need to diagnose the hard drive. But if it’s not a problem to remove a hard drive on a regular desktop computer, then if we are talking about a laptop, the user will definitely have to contact a service center or workshop. It is best not to attempt to remove it yourself. If the hard drive is faulty, there are no other options, you will have to change it and re-install the operating system. You can try the HDD Regenerator utility, but it cannot guarantee 100% success in the hard drive recovery process.

Probably, there is no need to explain how unflattering the situation is when a user turns on a computer or laptop to boot and instead of the usual start, the system writes Operating System not found on the screen for no reason at all. For many users, this is a real shock. How so? Yesterday, everything worked… What could have happened, and how to fix this situation, we'll see now.

What does the Operating System not found error mean?

If you look at the message itself, it's not hard to translate it as "operating system not found". But here's the problem - the user is absolutely sure that it exists. But the computer system does not share such confidence with the user, because it simply does not find the components responsible for loading the system.

In general, such situations most often appear, for example, when a user removes a hard drive and replaces it with a new one. Maybe just the hard drive is out of order, but you never know what.

Possible causes

If such an incident suddenly turned out, and the system constantly displays the message Operating System not found (Windows 7, 8, etc.), first of all, do not panic. To get started, just check if a flash drive is inserted into the computer or laptop, and in the BIOS settings, the USB device is the priority for booting.

If the hard drive was removed or changed to a new one (this applies to stationary computers), it may very well be that when it was reconnected, the corresponding cables were connected incorrectly or loosely. Let's see what can be done in such a situation.

Basic BIOS settings

The easiest way to change BIOS settings can be to reset all settings to the factory defaults (Default). Every BIOS version has this setting.

In extreme cases, you can simply change the boot priority in the Boot Device Priority or Boot Sequence section, and install the hard drive as the first (main) boot device (boot device).

It also happens, however, that the hard drive is detected in the BIOS, but it still does not boot, and the system again and again gives the Operating System not found warning. What to do in such a situation? First, see if it is opposite the hard drive model. It signals that the device in the system, although it is present, is simply disabled or not used.

As a rule, in most versions of the BIOS on the right there is a special help field for the device (Specific Item Help), which contains a keyboard shortcut that allows you to enable or disable any component. The most likely combination is Shift + 1. But here everything depends on the manufacturer (combinations may be different).

Switching hard drive operating modes in BIOS UEFI

On the other hand, if an Operating System not found warning appears on a laptop, where it is quite problematic to remove the hard drive, you should separately pay attention to the settings for the operating modes of the hard drive. As an example, consider the settings of the latest UEFI system, although they can be used without problems in other versions.

In general, there are two main modes in the SATA configuration: AHCI and IDE. During the initial installation of the OS, as well as in the default settings, AHCI mode is enabled. When you switch to the IDE, no matter how you try, you won't be able to install Windows on the hard drive.

The same applies to the moments when users, at the end of the installation process, either out of ignorance or accidentally turn on the IDE mode. As it is already clear, the system issues the line Operating System not found. By the way, even if you put another fully functional “screw” at the moment, it will also not work without changing the SATA settings to the initial ones.

Therefore, it is immediately worth advising users to change such settings only as a last resort, when it is really necessary.

Restoring the Windows bootloader

There are also frequent cases when the message “Operating System not found” appears when the Windows bootloader is damaged, which is associated only with errors on the hard disk, for example, due to incorrect shutdown. In this case, as is already clear, the entire system can “fly off”.

In such a situation, you can try to restore the bootloader, and at the same time check the system disk or partition for errors. To do this, it is always desirable to have the original installation disk or a system recovery disk at hand.

Here you will need to set the optical drive in the BIOS as the first priority boot device, and then use it. Note that in this option there is no question of restoring Windows from a checkpoint. This still won't help and the Operating System not found warning will reappear.

Here you need to use boot recovery mode or command line, which is preferable. In it, you need to sequentially enter two main commands: bootrec.exe /FixMbr and bootrec.exe /FixBoot, after each pressing "Enter". If such a sequence does not help, in addition, you can add the bootrec.exe /RebuildBcd command.

Before performing such actions, it is strongly recommended to check for errors with their automatic correction (commands chkdsk / f / r or chkdsk / f / x / r). You can also use the chkntfs /x c: checker if you have an NTFS file system on your system partition (drive C).

If nothing helped

However, if all the above methods of correcting the situation do not help, then you should definitely diagnose the hard drive. But if it’s not a problem to remove it, then with a laptop you will have to contact the nearest service center or workshop and not try to remove it yourself.

As it is already clear, if the hard drive “fell down”, there’s nothing to be done, you will have to change it to a new “hardware”, and then install the “OS” again. You can, of course, try out the action of the utility on it, but it is quite difficult to guarantee one hundred percent success.

"Operating system not found" - This error means that the computer cannot find Windows and your computer is unable to find and load the Windows installation because there is a hardware or software problem.

Laptops when unable to find an operating system create additional complications compared to desktops because they have fewer emergency options and no hardware options to fall back on if a problem occurs.

Boot Record failure

The hard drive of the computer has a "Master Boot Record" integrated during the installation of Windows, which, after the BIOS, manages the system boot process of the operating system.

Most laptops are equipped with a "recovery partition" most often set up on a hard drive, less often on a DVD drive.

When booting from partition recovery, you need to run the "Automatic Repair" option in the "System Restore" menu, Windows will be able to restore the MBR.

You can also fix the operating system by reinstalling Windows if "automatic repair" fails to fix the MBR.

Bad BIOS configuration

- this is the first thing your computer refers to when you turn it on, sets up the hardware and prepares it to boot the operating system.

A bad BIOS configuration can cause the computer to ignore the hard drive, resulting in an "OS not found" error.

You can enter the BIOS by pressing the "Setup" key, which is usually displayed on the boot screen - if the computer does not detect it, then press the F1, F2, F8, Esc or Delete keys.

After you enter the BIOS, select the "Restore Defaults" option and the laptop will recognize the hard drive again.

Some BIOS errors require a BIOS reset by removing the CMOS battery. This process can be much more difficult on laptops because it may require removing the keyboard and entire case to access the battery.

Operating system corrupted

The laptop may show an "OS not found" error if the OS boot is corrupted. Malware, viruses, and hardware bugs can break the code needed to identify and boot Windows.

Installation corruptions can be repaired by running the "automatic repair" tool or "" - this can be found in partition recovery or by booting from the Windows installation disk.

In the worst case scenario, reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling Windows from scratch can fix this problem.

Hard drive and motherboard failure

The laptop may not be able to boot into Windows because the hard drive or motherboard is damaged.

Laptops present a more difficult test in this case because they only have one place to plug in a hard drive.

So if a motherboard port fails, it must be replaced. If the hard drive makes clicking noises, it is most likely broken and needs to be replaced.

You can test the hard drive for functionality by removing it from the laptop and connecting it to another computer inside or through an external case.

If another computer cannot recognize the hard drive, then most likely its system is broken, but if the computer sees it, then the problem is most likely in your laptop's motherboard - you will have to fix it. Good luck.

Hello admin, an inscription appears on the monitor when the computer is booted Operating System not foun d, the error appeared after trying to overclock the computer's processor. I tried to find an answer on various forums on the Internet, basically they advise resetting the UEFI BIOS settings to default and booting from the "kolobok" and see if the operating system files are in place, they also advise to plug the information cable connecting the hard drive to the motherboard.
Gingerbread man, I don’t know what it is (this is a Live CD note by the administrator), but the cable didn’t just tuck, but even changed and tried to connect it to other SATA connectors on the motherboard, but it didn’t help. What else can be done?

Operating System not found

Hello, friends! Since I work in a regular service center, I often deal with this problem. And in this article I will just give real examples of the occurrence of this error and tell you how to deal with them. This error comes out Operating System not found(no operating system files found) or other (reboot and select correct boot device or insert bootable media) for reasons that can be divided into two parts. Basically, this error is associated with "iron" problems: the SATA information cable has gone, a faulty hard drive, incorrect BIOS settings, and even a faulty power supply. But this error can also appear due to various violations in the boot sector of the hard disk and the boot files of the Windows operating system itself.

Firstly, the Operating System not found error may appear due to the fact that, in the BIOS, the boot priority of the computer is incorrectly set, that is, the boot is set not from the hard disk on which the operating system is installed, but from a DVD-ROM or even from FDD (floppy -disk drive), remember the last actions you performed with your computer, maybe yesterday you changed the priority of the boot device in BIOS and booted your laptop from a USB flash drive, then forgot to set the boot from the hard disk, as a result, the next time you boot your computer or laptop, it may exit Operating System not found error. and set the boot priority from the hard drive. Secondly, pay attention to whether a USB flash drive is connected to your computer or laptop, it is quite possible that the computer wants to boot from it, but it is not bootable at all. Thirdly, maybe you recently disconnected your hard drive and went with it to your friends to exchange files, check with the computer turned off whether your hard drive is securely connected by a SATA information cable to the connector on the motherboard, if there is another SATA cable, try using it or just plug the hard drive into another SATA connector on the motherboard.

Fourthly, immediately after installing the operating system, many users, without the appropriate knowledge, start experimenting with BIOS, who want to overclock the processor, and who just "study" the new UEFI BIOS, and who need to set the computer to boot from a disk or flash drive. As a result, users change the initial and workable BIOS settings very much, but not everyone knows how to return them to their original position.

A simple example related to our mistake: in almost any BIOS, including the most modern UEFI, there is an option responsible for the operation of the hard disk controller, in most cases it is called "SATA Configuration" or SATA Configuration, this option can be set to AHCI or IDE. So, AHCI is a modern technology for the operation of SATA II and SATA III hard drives and SSD SSDs. On all modern UEFI BIOSes, the SATA Configuration option is set to AHCI by default and it turns out that when you install the Windows operating system on a new computer or laptop, AHCI is enabled. After installing the operating system, some users accidentally or intentionally turn off AHCI in the SATA Configuration settings and turn on the IDE, as a result, when the computer or laptop boots, a blue screen or an Operating System not found error occurs. To solve the problem, reset the UEFI BIOS settings to default and try to boot the operating system.

Sixth, your hard drive may simply be faulty. Note. Is your hard drive detected in BIOS. If not, then you need to look for the cause of this misunderstanding. In this case, pay attention to the solutions already described in paragraph 4 of this article, reset the BIOS to default settings, reconnect the SATA information cables or connect the hard drive to another connector on the motherboard, if this does not help, you can try connecting the hard drive to another computer and see if your hard drive is detected in the BIOS of another computer, if not, the hard drive is probably faulty, contact a service center to solve the problem.

Of course, I understand that it will be difficult for a simple user to remove a hard drive on a laptop, in this case you just need to limit yourself, if after that the hard drive is also not detected in the BIOS and the laptop will give an Operating System not found error when booting, do nothing more and contact the service center. If the hard drive is detected in the BIOS, then you should try to restore Windows boot (as written in paragraph No. 5), if nothing works, then you need to boot the laptop from any Live CD and copy all the important files from the hard drive to a portable USB hard drive, then .

Once in my practice, I had to deal with this error and imagine, the whole thing was decided by replacing the power supply. Due to a faulty power supply, the hard drive was no longer detected in the system and this Operating System not found error began to appear during boot, after replacing the power supply everything returned to normal, I described this and many more problems in the article.