Windows 7: no bootable device: f1 to retry...

Hi,

I have a dell inspiron 1545 laptop which has just been clean installed
with Windows 7 x64. I get an intermittent error on boot up

No bootable devices: f1 to retry, f2 for setup

If I press f1 it continues normally and boots up.

This is not a major problem yet but is it a symptom of something worse
and/or is there a fix?

I had Vista x64 before and would get the same error occasionally.



I spoke to dell support and they said it was a s/w error and would not
help me fix it - they did refer me to the paid for s/w support

Thanks for any help.

Set Windows 7 HD first to boot in BIOS setup.

If you need to boot CD/DVD using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key.

Do you have the latest BIOS version update?

Thanks, I changed HDD to boot first.

I have BIOS update A14 which I think is the latest.

Hopefully it wont occur again.

Let us know if it does.

Unfortunately it is occurring again.

HDD is still first in the boot list.

I have run the F5 diagnostics no errors are reported.

Back up your data externally now. Make your Recovery Disk set.

Boot the Windows 7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD by tapping F12 key at bootup to run Startup Repair which will run numerous tests and if necessary repair or rewrite the critical MBR boot files: Startup Repair

Run SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Then test your HD using maker's full diag/repair CD scan: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

Next run Disk Check

To be complete in testing hardware, Test RAM using memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes.

It's either a BIOS error, or a problem with your hard drive not starting up in a timely manner. Either way, use your service tag on Dell's support site to check your BIOS level and download the diagnostics disc creator to test out your hard drive.

Check your installed BIOS version by typing System Information in Start Search box.

Or audit it from mobo using Belarc Advisor.

Thanks for the quick replies.

I ran scannow and it found no problems

I booted from the dvd into repair. The first thing it did was
claim an error starting up that it fixed. I restarted and ran
the startup repair again and it passed.

HD is Toshiba who dont provide diagnostics as far as I can see.

I will burn a dvd and run memtest in the next few days.

Bios is A14, 07/12/2009, I started out at Dells website with
the service tag to find what drivers I was missing.

Cheers.

Does the Repair (likely MBR) fix the issue?

Are you able to run a full HD scan using the F5 tools?

If not, try GWScan which works on most all models: GWSCAN 5.12 Unzips to C:cabs where you can browse to find ISO to burn.

Please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Management drive map with listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu. Something might be obvious.

Also, google repeat errors in Device Manager>Admin View to see how others have resolved them. Study Performance log as well on Advanced Tools page accessed by clicking WEI score at Computer>Properties; check for cued issues at top of Tools page, Generate a System Health Report.