[NotADumbBlonde]

Recently my toshiba laptop won;t turn on. I am receiving an error message that says No bootable device-- insert boot disk and press any key". In BIOS it is reading that there is no HDD. I have taken the HDD out and reinserted it, nothing. And I have tried rebooting and running recovery disks, but those just load files and then says there is an error and to press ok to shut down the computer. I am starting to think that my HDD is just gone. Is there anything else I can try?

(btw, I am not technologically sound and do not know how to take it apart and check wiring and such, but I am open to suggestions).
It is a Toshiba with Windows 64 bit, model no. PSK2LU-001003

The error message when I turn it on is:
Intel UNDI, PXE-2.0 (build 083)
Copyright © 1997-2000 Intel Corporation
Fro Atheros PCIE Ethernet Controller v2.0.1.9 (12/15/09)
Check cable connection!
PXE-MOF: Exiting Intel PXE ROM.
No bootable device-- insert boot disk and press any key.

When I insert boot disk it says "windows is loading files..." and then a box comes up saying: "ERROR: F3-F100-0003, an error has occurred. Please press [OK] to turn off the computer.

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*Windows 7, 64 bit (forgot to put 7)

[NotADumbBlonde]

*Windows 7, 64 bit (forgot to put 7)

[GryphonGuy]

I'm afraid your diagnosis is almost certainly correct. I get the impression that you've already checked all the BIOS boot options? Your only real hopes are that either the BIOS has decided to try another device first, and, like many do, fail to go through the rest of the list, or that the HDD might be repairable by a firmware update. A major brand of SSD was recently affected by a firmware glitch that would make it . . . troublesome after counting off a particular number of hours.

I recommend you start looking for your warranty info, and while you have the disk out, get the model number and check the manufacturer's website for firmware updates. Is it a traditional hard disk or a Solid State Disk. If HDD, has it been making any funny noises?

Sorry I couldn't give you better news.

[NotADumbBlonde]

No it hasn't been making any funny noises, and I'm not sure what "type" of disk it is, it's located under the front left corner of my laptop...

[GryphonGuy]

Okay . . . it is a traditional hard disk, and they usually make a repetitive clicking sound when they're done for, unless they're seized, in which case they make almost no sound at all. Are you still under warranty? Warranty period on that model is one year. If so, your next stop should probably be pcsupport.toshiba.com. The error code is Toshiba specific, and I can't find any reliable source of data on it's meaning. This does slightly obscure things, because we can't be sure that the Windows Rescue Disk was having any problems at all, only that something the laptop itself didn't like happened.

I would recommend that you confirm the settings of the boot order. Just to be sure. Make sure that the internal hard disk is the first thing it tries, and check to see if there's a submenu for order of disk drives. It might classify USB sticks as the same type of disk drives as HDDs. Do you have any data that you REALLY REALLY need? Also, do you have a local computer tech who can do data recovery? Some guys like myself won't charge more than $200. Others will skip straight to four digits.

I know I've been away a bit. If you're still watching, double check the boot sequence, maybe list it if not inconvenient, and let me know whether you've got warranty and/or important data. I can advise you on the most cost effective way to proceed from there.

Edited by GryphonGuy, 27 September 2012 - 02:47 AM.