HARD DISK BOOT

FAILURE
 1 About “Disk Boot Failure“
o 1.1 Description and Symptoms
o 1.2 Symptom 1: “Disk Boot Failure” error screen on
startup
 2 Causes of this Error
o 2.1 Cause 1: Incorrect BIOS boot order
o 2.2 Cause 2: Faulty data cables
o 2.3 Cause 3: HDD is damaged
 3 Fixing “Disk boot failure” on Windows
o 3.1 Fix 1: Change BIOS boot order
o 3.2 Fix #2: Remove newly installed hardware, check
data cables and jumpers
o 3.3 Fix #3: Check HDD for failures
o 3.4 Fix #4: Run chkdsk
1. About “Disk Boot Failure“
The following information on this error has
been compiled by NeoSmart Technologies,
based on the information gathered and reported
by global network of engineers, developers, and
technicians or partner organizations.

1.1 Description and Symptoms

The error messages, alerts, warnings, and
symptoms below are tied to this error
1.2 Symptom 1:
“Disk Boot Failure” error screen on startup

Every time a computer is turned on, as part

of the boot process the BIOS tries to find a
bootable drive to continue the loading
process by starting its first sector. However, if
BIOS is unable to find a drive to boot from, then
a “Disk Boot Failure” error screen is displayed
and the boot process is halted.
 Here is an example of “Disk Boot
Failure” error screen for all versions
of Windows:

DISK BOOT FAILURE – INSERT SYSTEM DISK

AND PRESS ENTER
2. Causes of this Error
This error has been known to occur as a
result of one of the following causes:

2.1 Cause 1: Incorrect BIOS boot order

The most common cause of this error is an
incorrect order of boot devices in BIOS. Usually BIOS
tries to find a bootable drive according to its boot
device order, so if a PC has a floppy drive set to a
higher priority than a hard drive, and there is a floppy
disk inserted – then the PC tries to boot from a floppy
disk, and a error message is displayed.
2.2 Cause 2: Faulty data cables
Like all components of our PC’s, hard drive data
cables tend to deteriorate as the time passes. If the
same data cable was used for several years(or even the
same one across several computers), then it might me
the cause of periodic read/write errors that can affect
the loading process.
2.3 Cause 3: HDD is damaged
A hard drive can become damaged or inaccessible
due to read/write errors, power outages, or virus
attacks. If that’s the case, then the drive should be
checked for errors and scanned for viruses to make sure
that it works correctly.
3. Fixing “Disk boot failure” on Windows

3.1 Fix 1: Change BIOS boot order

To check a computer’s boot order, follow these
instructions:
1. Restart the computer
2. Open the BIOS. If you’re not sure which key is
used to open BIOS, it’s either any of the following or
it’s listed on the first screen that appears on
the monitor, before the Windows logo
appears.Possible keys: Esc, Del, F2, F8, F10 or F12
Notice the key guide in the top-right corn
3. Go to the Boot tab

4. Change the order to

position the hard disk as
the 1st option
5. Save these settings

6. Restart the computer

Boot Selection Menu

3.2 Fix #2: Remove newly installed hardware, check data
cables and jumpers

If a new hardware was recently added , follow these

tips:

• Remove the newly added hardware and restart

the computer to check if the error still appears
• Check the cables of the hard disk where Windows is
installed
• Check the jumpers of the hard disk
3.3 Fix #3: Check HDD for failures
To test if the hard disk has failed, use Easy Recovery
Essentials’ Automated Repair. The Automated Repair process
will report any issues found with the hard disk or RAM
memory with one single click:
1. Download Easy Recovery Essentials
2. Burn the ISO Image. Follow our instructions on how to
burn a bootable ISO image. If you’d like to have a recovery
USB instead, follow our instructions on how to make a
recovery USB.
3. Boot into Easy Recovery Essentials
4. Select Automated Repair
5. Click Continue and wait for the Automated Repair process
to finish. Automated Repair process will report any issues
found with your hard disk or RAM memory:
3.4 Fix #4: Run chkdsk
 The chkdsk utility can detect if the computer’s hard disk
has certain issues.
 If a PC has Windows XP installed, follow these steps to
start chkdsk:

1. Insert a Windows XP CD into the computer.

2. Restart the computer.
3. Press any key to boot into the CD when you see the “Press
any key to boot from CD” message.
4. Press R to start Recovery Console when the Options screen
appears.
5. Choose the Windows installation to be repaired, and type in
the Administrator password followed by the Enter key to
submit it.
6. Type the following command, and press Enter : to submit it:
chkdsk C: /R

Where C: is the Windows installation drive

7. Wait for the scanning process to end, and restart
the computer.
Here is an example screenshot of what the PC’s console
output should look like once the chkdsk is complete:
 If a PC has Windows Vista, 7, 8 or 10 installed, follow these steps
instead:

1. Boot from a Windows install disc

2. Click on Repair your computer after selecting proper language, time and
keyboard input.
3. Select the Windows installation drive, which is usually C:\, and click Next
4. Choose Command Prompt when the System Recovery Options box
appears
5. Write the following command and press Enter afterwards:

chkdsk C: /f

Replace C: with the letter of the driver where Windows is installed.

 Here is an example of what the PC’s console output should

look like once the chkdsk.exe is complete:
Windows 7 Chkdsk utility results screen