Member Avatar for DaMoose75

I am facing quite the predicament. The computer I am currently using will not boot because, as the title says, there is "no boot device found." When I check the BIOS settings, however, the HDD is recognized under the "Drives" menu. The only problem is that it is not recognized in the list of boot devices.

I have tried to change settings, but there is an unknown Administrator password in place. I tried removing the CMOS battery, messing with the jumper, etc. all to no avail.

This computer has had a problem with an HDD before. When I first came to own it, the hard drive was simply broken and useless. The one I am currently using is fairly new. (I installed it at Christmas time, 2012) I haven't had any problems with it until now. There is a Windows 7 installation on it, and I know it works. It was operational only just last week.

A few more tidbits of information about the machine:

DELL DXC061
XPS 210

BIOS revision: 2.4.0

HDD: Barracuda Es.2 SATA

I would greatly appreciate suggestions anyone might have about getting this thing working again. (Removing the BIOS admin password would be a bonus.) Why is the drive recognized as a working device connected to the machine's interface, but not as a bootable device when there is an OS installation on it? Once again, any help would be most appreciated.

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Dani AI

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The symptoms described by (drive visible under "Drives" but absent from the boot list, and BIOS setup locked by an Administrator password) most likely point to a BIOS/supervisor-level lock rather than a hardware-only failure. correctly noted that a damaged MBR can make a drive unbootable, and 's SpinRite suggestion is appropriate when media problems are suspected — but Dell systems often store setup passwords in NVRAM/EEPROM so removing the CMOS battery alone frequently will not clear an Administrator password. (dell.com)

A simple distinction is useful: an ATA/hard-drive security password (set on the drive itself) will typically prevent the OS or installer from reading the disk until it is unlocked; vendor docs explain that locked drives behave differently and that factory reset/unlock procedures can be destructive or require vendor tools. If the Windows install DVD/USB can read files on the disk, that strongly suggests the ATA password is not active and the problem is BIOS-level. If MBR/BCD corruption is still a suspect, run Windows Recovery -> Command Prompt and use the Bootrec tool:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

Microsoft documents these steps. (seagate.com)

For a BIOS Administrator password on a Dell desktop, the supported options are to follow the model-specific jumper/RTC reset steps in the service manual or to contact Dell Service with proof of ownership for an unlock or service—attempts to force-clear the password by battery removal often fail and unofficial “master-password” services carry risk. If access to data is the priority, pulling the drive and attaching it as a secondary to another PC to image or back up before any destructive attempts is the safest route. SpinRite can help with media errors but will not remove BIOS passwords. (dell.com)

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Member Avatar for CimmerianX

Well, the drive can be identified, but the boot partition or MBR could be hosed making it unbootable. Have you tried the disk in another machine? Can you boot with a live CD and check that the disk is readable? How about a Windows install media and run a repair (won't hurt anything).

Member Avatar for Member #818236

I agree with CimmerianX, it looks like the drive, or at least the MBR is malfunctioning. I hope you don't consider this spam, but Spinrite has worked for me in many similar ocassions.

Member Avatar for DaMoose75

I believe I have found the problem, although I still have no idea on how to fix it. The drive is protected by an Admin Password in the BIOS. I can't select it as a boot device because I don't know the password. Are there any suggestions for removing the password, or any defaults I could try?

Member Avatar for DaMoose75

I did boot with a Windows install disc, and everything is as I left it. The only problem is my computer won't let me select the drive as a boot device.

Member Avatar for benmar

try to reset your bios by removing the cmos battery on the motherboard for a couple of seconds try to on power up you pc without the battery install... then power off the machine then install back the cmos battery.

Member Avatar for DaMoose75

I tried removing the battery before I made this thread and it didn't work. However, I did not try to turn the computer on while it was absent.

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