Boot Device Not Found; failed SMART check; Healthy internal SSD but failed device hardware

Understanding and Troubleshooting a “Boot Device Not Found” Error on Your HP Laptop: A Guide to Diagnosing SSD and Hardware Issues

Introduction

Encountering a “Boot Device Not Found” error can be a frustrating experience, especially when it suggests potential hardware failure despite the internal SSD appearing healthy. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of such issues, drawing from real-world scenarios and offering practical steps to diagnose and resolve the problem.

Case Overview

A user with an HP 17-inch laptop, purchased in 2020 and running Windows 10, experienced intermittent system crashes followed by a sudden failure to boot. The initial symptoms included random crashes without data loss, which later escalated to a complete failure to recognize the boot device.

Sequence of Events

1. Initial Symptoms: The laptop exhibited random crashes in July and August, but it continued to restart normally and functioned without data loss.

2. System Crash and Update: After a period of stability, a crash occurred again. During the subsequent restart, Windows performed an automatic update. Post-update issues included missing playlists in Windows Media Player and unresponsive buttons, prompting a system restart.

3. Boot Failure: Upon restart, a black screen displayed the message: “Boot Device Not Found. Please install an operating system on your hard drive.” A SMART check indicated a failure. Standard troubleshooting like re-seating the battery and reconnecting the SSD did not resolve the issue.

Hardware Diagnostics and Data Access Attempts

• SSD Removal and Testing: The internal 256GB SSD was removed and connected via a USB enclosure to another computer. Attempts to access the drive resulted in errors indicating hardware failure (“D:\ is not accessible. The request failed due to a fatal device hardware error.”).

• File System Analysis: Running chkdsk revealed the drive’s file system as NTFS with errors (errors 1240 and 1832). Disk Management shows the drive as “RAW” but with a “Healthy” status. Windows PowerShell indicates the drive is “Healthy” with no read/write errors.

Interpreting the Data: Is the SSD Failing?

Despite the drive being recognized as “Healthy” in some diagnostics, the persistent hardware errors suggest potential underlying issues. This discrepancy is not uncommon; logical errors can mask physical failures, and SMART status may not always reflect imminent hardware failure.

Possible Causes and Next Steps

1. Hardware Failure: The consistent errors across multiple diagnostic tools indicate